The calculator came out last night. A new client added more work and my monthly earning figures was about to skyrocket. I needed to plan for all that incoming wealth.
Like most of the times I start “planning,” my reality took a quick turn towards fantasy. This is the time when I imagine a big pay off (for my book, from an anonymous donor, from the money tree in the back yard). I have decided that with just One Million Dollars, I can do all that I need to do and still have some money for a vacation. 
The break down is fairly easy. AFTER taxes and tithe I would:
1. Get those mortgage papers and burn them.
2. Put a chunk of the money in savings.
3. Hire a contractor to fix and remodel this house.
4. Build a pond.
5. Build a barn.
My need to write would not diminish because of the new found wealth. If anything, I would be free to truly write what I wanted instead of feeling obligated to write what I was offered.
I did some more calculations. Each day I get about 30 new visitors to this site. So, if each of you would just write me a check for $10 then I could have my million in just 100 days. If you would only up it to $100 dollars, then I would be set in just over a month. Now I see how these pyramid schemes get started 
.
Oh well, I still have my dreams! Today I will probably figure out just home many articles I need to sale each month to make these figures a reality for my life. Numbers are fun.
Your turn: What would you do with ONE MILLION DOLLARS?
December 13th, 2007
The writing business is starting to pick up steam. Like other things in my life, I’m finding that the more I do the more I can do and the more people are willing to let me do – except in my home town.
The town I grew up in is small. Most of the people older than me were delivered by my grandfather (who was a doctor by the way). Either I went to school with the rest of the people or they went to school with one of my brothers. They KNOW me.
It was once frustrating. Today it is mildly humorous.
They don’t know me. If the truth was told, they didn’t know me when we were in school. After four years of college (far, far away) and almost twenty years of spiritual growth and personal reflection, there are days that I don’t exactly know myself.
I’m patient. Situations are presenting themselves that are allowing me to show some of my knowledge and expertise. Because of that, a few “important” individuals are taking notice – and maybe giving me a little credit even.
In the end, what other people think they know doesn’t stop me from being who I am. If they refuse to let me through, then another door will open up. Most of the time it turns out that the detour is the better direction anyway.
For now, I will keep smiling when people look pathetically at me because I “stay home” with the kids and homeschool (remember, it’s a small town and everyone is into everyone else’s business). When they muster up the courage to ask “what are you doing anything NOW” my response is planned.
“I am an international writer and published author who is blessed to have the ability to follow my first choice and stay home with my family. What are you doing?”
December 13th, 2007
