I am trying … No, I am changing the way I look at things. Once upon a time I would think of ideas, stories, poetry, song lyrics, movie ideas, restaurant themes, most anything. I would dwell on this idea. It would grow in my head. Sometimes after weeks, months or years I would go to watch a movie or read a book or eat at a restaurant and be sitting in someone else’s reality of my idea. I thought, wow, someone else beat me to the punch. Someone else wrote the story, or created the restaurant or painted the picture. Too late.

The next year I would see another similar story or book or restaurant and the next, another.

Finally, it dawned on me. I know I am 50 years of SLOW! If someone had the same idea it doesn’t mean it is a bad idea or even a used idea. Just the opposite. If I had the idea and others had similar ideas then it must be an idea others are interested in and perhaps there is room for all of our versions of this similar idea. It is still unique in very wonderful ways. Not doing it because others are doing it is just another excuse. Another fear of failure cloaked in commonness.

THE LAND OF REFUGE has been told in many books by many families. And yet it continues to be a story people like to read about or talk about and share. This is my version. I encourage everyone to share theirs.

For those who ponder on their story and think, “ oh it has been done!” Stop! It can be done again and told again and embraced again. Change the way you look at things. The world is waiting to be touched by us all. Don’t try… Do! And do it NOW.