Warning: kind of personal. This is not my normal post, but here is a sneak peek into who I am.
I believe we choose our happiness, and that includes searching for joy in the shitshow life sometimes feels like. If things were always on an even keel, this ride might get monotonous with being too perfect. Food to eat, a place to live, dreams to dream, lol. I believe in a higher power of some kind—not sure who/what exactly so I am not tied to religious beliefs. I think we need to be kind not only to others, but ourselves. Especially ourselves. Because I saw my father, and my stepdad, and my dear uncle, pass at an early age, I understand that death happens to everyone at any time. I believe there is more to this existence and that there is an after. It makes the loss on this side of the veil easier to accept, knowing we will all meet again. I believe we are connected. I believe that we choose the lessons we want to learn while on this earth, and we choose to learn them with trusted loved ones beforehand. I believe we are supported in our endeavors.
I believe, I know, that we are loved and not alone. If we want something, we have the power within us to make it happen. It feels an awful lot like magic to step into the air not certain there will be a road.
In the past nine years especially, I have experienced a lot of paths beneath my feet that I wasn’t certain would be there. My marriage of 25 years had exploded on a single night, and I was left wondering how I would make it. I’d gone to business college for a degree in floral design. Not exactly practical. During my marriage I started with an in-home daycare as our kids were born and followed their school schedule by also working in the school system as a para pro with the behavior-challenged children. My ex was the main bread winner, especially once we relocated to Florida—gulp—22 years ago. That fateful New Year’s Eve, he wanted a divorce and was like a broken record in all he would say was that he wanted to be happy and didn’t want any responsibilities. No counseling, just out. Of course, there are a million threads to this story that aren’t part of this blog—this is about believing in yourself and finding the magic. If I’d looked at things logically and practically, I would have been afraid. I surrounded myself with great friends. They also believed that I could do it. A friend gave me AND THE DOGS shelter. My manager at Starbucks offered to train me to be a manager and potentially earn forty thousand a year. To someone who didn’t have a steady salary, that was tempting, but it meant giving up on writing as I knew it. At that time, I thought I was on the cusp of hitting it big, lolol, with my medieval romances and YA books. (palm to forehead)
So, I moved from Jupiter to Lauderdale by the Sea, somehow, without a real job, or a salary, got an apartment. I will remember to my dying day being in the passenger seat with my dear friend who grabbed the steering wheel and asked that we find an apartment. We drove to the end of the block as the rental guy was putting a for rent sign in the window. That’s magical. Another friend who I critiqued with for years told me I could be an editor. She learned with me and gave me a chance. Now, I have several clients and get to choose based on my own writing schedule. More magic. Here is the secret to growing that power: you cannot dwell in negativity. Really crappy things had happened. I thought I would never stop crying. My heart was broken in so many pieces. And yet, I got myself out of my bed and went to the ocean with coffee, with wine, with friends, or alone, and I healed. The ocean is magic for me. I had no answers from my ex, lots of denials on what was happening, so I had to let go of expecting answers and understand that it didn’t matter. What mattered was how I reacted to this situation, and damn it, I am a happy person inside.
As time passed, I cried less and focused more on what I could do. There is serious magic in celebrating paying your own rent for the first time in your life. Yeah. I’d never lived alone. It’s pretty powerful to know that you can do it. Thanks to another awesome friend, I started to write indie romances, and was introduced to the ladies here at ABB—they welcomed me with open arms. With them, I’ve made the USA Today three times. I quit Starbucks and edited freelance while writing books. I met Christopher and fell in love. There have been times when things have been uncomfortably tight, but the rent has been paid, groceries bought, soul sustained by doing what I love. I now write mysteries as well as romance. What a long post to say that this is why I believe in magic. You can too! If you’re uncertain, take even a tiny step in the direction you want to go, and the path will appear.
I’ve been reading more this summer as I enjoy a slower pace. I highly recommend the authors in these boxed sets who are so talented and guarantee a wonderful, magical, escape.
Happy summer,
Traci
From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone.
Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it’s her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.
Traci wants to hear from you!
Traci@TraciHall.com
