Writer's Welcome.

When I was a girl, Animal Planet was one of the few TV shows I was allowed to watch. I spent many happy hours watching the natural world, learning more about my favorite subject whenever the opportunity arose.

Many of the shows on Animal Planet featured Jane Goodall, a woman who would shape my future. At the age of 26, Jane Goodall set sail for Africa, following her dream to study chimpanzees in Gombe. She had no education and no money, but what she did have was more important than either of these. She had the support of her mother.

It was her mother who never told her to choose realistic dreams. It was her mother who went with her to Africa, to be the companion an unmarried woman needed while travelling. It was her mother who helped her reach her dreams.

The Bread-and-Butter Trade Talk

If you’ve ever announced to a parent that you want to become a rockstar, or an actress, or a writer, you probably heard something a bit different than what Jane Goodall’s mom advised. “Sure, you can try to do this as a hobby, but make sure you have a bread-and-butter trade.”

It’s very sensible advice, but as I grow and read and explore the world, I see that the truly greatest people all have one thing in common. That one thing is that someone supported them and their dreams.

It’s not just Jane Goodall. We would not have Stardew Valley, if developer Eric Barone’s girlfriend had not supported him while he did so. Merlin Tuttle might not have become a bat researcher if it weren’t for the support of his parents, who even drove him out of state to meet people in the field.

Behind every great person, is someone else who supported their dreams.

Decades after I first watched Jane Goodall explore the jungles, I am now an award-winning writer. I write every day, sometimes for myself, and sometimes for other people. My dream is to find a job one day where I can write every day, whether it be articles or blog posts, ad copy or website content. While I have not found the perfect fit yet, I keep looking every day for that dream job.

Helping Others

As you go about your day, please remember that you can also be someone incredible. You always have the power to support others and their dreams, even as you try and achieve your own. If we all worked together and supported each other, the world would be a truly remarkable place.

Last year I was fortunate to receive several awards for my articles. I’d love to take a moment to note them here. My dog blog, All Things Chihuahua, received a lot of praise including:

• Luxlife Most Creative Pet Blogger Award
• Dog Writer’s Association – Best Humor Award for this article.
• Dog Writer’s Association – Short List Blog of the Year for All Things Chihuahua

I am very excited to compete again this year.