A day in my circle

     I often wonder why staying committed to a goal is so challenging. Speaking from my own experience, motivation can quickly fade away even when you know what's good for you and express it clearly. It becomes a distant echo amidst the distractions of daily life. It feels like starting the new year filled with resolutions, only to cling to the simplest one—the one that lets you dream while telling yourself, "Tomorrow, I will do this." But when tomorrow arrives, you find yourself tossing another coin into the fountain of procrastination.

     I have a natural talent for writing. Please don't take this the wrong way—you're reading this, right? That means I must be doing something right! I'm also good at travelling, so why not combine these two passions into a career that ignites my purpose? Don't get me wrong; I wasn't in the wrong profession. Back in Romania, I was a librarian. Books surrounded me, each one whispering stories at every turn. My hands held the latest and most significant works, and that world opened doors for me—literary contests, poetry readings, and moments of artistic inspiration. I won some contests and lost others, but the symphony of words has never left me.

     Even when we stray from our true calling, destiny guides us back with minor signs. Fortunately, my Romanian teacher submitted one of my poems to Gazeta de Limba Română, and it was published. That ignited a passion within me. I wrote fearlessly, even as rejection letters piled up like unpaid bills. However, I persisted, trusting that, eventually, something would break the ice.

     Here we are, back to where we started. The art world has always captivated me—like an unyielding lover who knows you'll return, even after you've tried to break free. Moving to Canada should have represented a fresh beginning. I had every reason to continue writing. Instead, I gathered my thoughts like small fragments on pieces of tissue, tucked away for later. Later, when I have more time, I will be ready. But time doesn't wait for you to be prepared. It jolts you awake.

     There is something profoundly beautiful about "Dolce far niente"—the sweetness of doing nothing. However, it can also be a dangerous temptation. It lures you into believing that there's no rush or urgency. Before you know it, what used to be your passion turns into a fleeting hobby, a "maybe someday." Let's be honest—how many "maybe somedays" have ever transformed into "right nows" without some push?

     I should have known better. I was once trapped in a bad marriage—a perfect example of life giving me the wrong script while I blindly memorized my lines. I convinced myself that comfort was a fair trade for passion and that stability was worth silencing my voice. However, true love, whether for a person or a purpose, doesn't require you to shrink and lose yourself in something that drains your soul. It doesn't lull you into complacency; instead, it ignites. And if it doesn't? Well, as they say, it's better to have a painful ending than to endure endless pain.

     So here I am, finally learning that life isn't about waiting for inspiration, the perfect moment, or the perfect alignment of the stars. It's about writing as if my life depends on it. Because, in some ways, it does.

     Destiny is relentless; it will keep calling until you respond. This time, I am answering. I need to follow my heart and dream with my eyes wide open. It's time to muster that courage again and start pestering the magazines with my unique blend of literary wit and wisdom. Who doesn't appreciate a little humour to kick-start the day? When inspiration knocks, I ask, "Do you want to have some fun?" I happily oblige. The funniest part is that I enjoy money—the kind that allows me to travel and take courses to hone my craft. I never took a fiction writing class until my late forties. Why? Because writing and travelling are part of my retirement plan.

     I will not quit my other job because, let's be honest, passion doesn't pay the bills (yet). But that job funds my dream, making it worth every hour spent pretending to care about spreadsheets. When it comes to being a professional, I am dead serious. But when it comes to writing, it's pure, unfiltered joy.

     Close your eyes and bring your palms close to your heart. Feel your true calling. Don't be afraid; your soul instinctively knows when you are on the right path. Now, focus on making it happen. Repeat what you genuinely want to achieve every morning, and it will come to fruition. Hope and faith are the mystical engines that can transform you from a complacent, procrastinating individual into Icarus—ready to take on the world, one step at a time.

     Did you know that my best writing comes when I am unhappy? Happiness can often stifle creativity. We find ourselves sipping wine, dancing barefoot, and watching sunsets when we are content. But in moments of disappointment, our souls become fluid and raw, allowing us to capture the universe in a single word. That is when the magic happens.

     God blesses us with purifying tears that help us see our surroundings more clearly. Inspiration floods in, and our words come alive on the page or screen. So here I am, firmly believing that God has guided me to write this message because this is my true calling.