Today I was stuck at a light waiting for a train. Nothing earth shattering. But how I got there reminds me now of a good life lesson. Patience.

On the way back from taking a friend to the airport, I noticed a good amount of traffic on the highway. Being a sometimes impatient person, I decided to exit and take the road less traveled, aka a short cut. I was so close to my destination, why not just go around?

A mile into my shortcut, I came to the train crossing. Sure, this was my payment, but I could handle that. So I sat there while the train moved past the crossing, silently jamming to my music. As my head bobbed, so did the train; it was slowing down. Then it was backing up. BACKING UP? Almost 15 minutes later (knowing I would have been to my destination by then) the train finally backed out of the way.

I got through the intersection, and found the best way to my destination was … the highway I got off. And guess what was flowing freely?

The lesson: shortcuts can work sometimes, might work for others ahead of you, but many times that train just gets in the way. And what should have gotten you to your goal faster slows you down 2-3 times more than just patiently waiting the original course.

I see this in my writing and in life. Many friends try to take shortcuts in school, in their career and with their families. And ultimately, those things are all too good to be true. There is something to be said for thinking outside the box, but do weigh the options.

This post is not about 9/11 but it does have a basis on this anniversary. Today I am thankful for my friends and family that keep pushing me to see my dream through to completion. This blog is just the start to my writing, all of this is to push me to write more and about different things. What I am really working on is a novel. It has always been a dream to be a published author.

I am also working on some side pieces for various blogs and I just got notification that I am going to have an article published on NxtGen Marketing. I’ve been working with them on some pieces that I have written while setting up my office space. (Pictures coming soon).

This has started my week off so well, I just wanted to share how thankful I am for everyone. Love you all. Blessings to each of you.

My friends recently told me about TUT, Thoughts from the Universe. An email that you get which can inspire your morning and set a great tone for the day. A recent one made my day, talking about how to be happy and make more money in bad times.

Think as much, if not more, about growing your income as you do of trimming your expenses.

I personally am always about trimming expenses, but rarely of how I can make more money. One of the reasons I started this blog, but also to be a creative outlet for me. But that wasn’t the whole message. The point was that you do this by smiling, focusing on customers, vacations, and opportunities. Look to the positive and find the way to be happier and richer in every way that way.

So while I have a day job, it pays the bills. This is my expansion, my vacation, not overtime. What is yours?

A number of my friends have told me that I need to write more often. These are good friends that see my love for writing even though it isn’t my paid job. So with the help of some of those friends who work on the internet, I am starting this blog.

I’ll be posting not only what I write personally but also what I am attempting to write as a freelance writer. There will be some off the wall things, some boring, some interesting, some just insane. I’m finding my voice and hope someone likes what I’m doing.

Also know that this is a pen name for me. I can’t have my “real” name or face online because of my work.

If there are any company owners with blogs that find a post they’d like on their own blog, I am happy to license it to you and even do the technical magic to “push the links” to your site. All with the help of my friends. They told me to say that part.

I look forward to seeing your comments!