A glimpse of a journey

(The following is a short article that I wrote for LYDIA Living, the Greek women's magazine for which I briefly worked when I lived in Athens. It actually was published as the Ek Vatheon, or the inspirational last page meant to leave the reader with hope or encouragement. I have changed the conclusion slightly so it makes sense here and now. Anyway, perhaps it will leave you with hope or encouragement. If nothing else, it should show you a glimpse of my journey... )

When I was little, I remember aspiring to many high positions and accomplishments. The first time I watched the Olympics, I decided that I wanted to become a gold-medal gymnast. I wanted to be as graceful as Nadia Comaneche and as dynamic as Mary Lou Retton. My parents took me to gymnastics lessons and bought me a leotard. Unfortunately, I was too tall and too clumsy to see my dreams come true.

When that dream faded, I focused on piano lessons, hoping music would be the talent that would bring me success and recognition. Just as I didn't have the grace to be a beautiful gymnast, neither did I have the rhythm to play a beautiful song. After throwing myself wholeheartedly into a few more sports, a few more instruments, and several other activities, I realized that that were many things that I wasn't talented at but I also found that there was at least one thing that I could do well: I could write. So instead of being a gymnast, I wrote about gymnastics and other things that interested me. And as I wrote, I discovered that I loved using words as an outlet for my opinion and imagination.

But just as I had wanted to be a gold-medal gymnast and a renowned musician, my childhood aspirations for my writing were for fame and fortune. I dreamed of growing up and writing books that sold millions of copies. Surely what I had to say was so original and clever that everyone would want to read it. Oh! If only one of my novels would be so popular that it would be made into a movie!

Fortunately, my dreams have matured over time. When I was young, all my hopes rested on becoming a famous writer. Today, I don't necessarily want to be a famous writer; I only want to be a good writer - one who can be proud of what she puts on paper because it is an expression of beauty and truth. While childhood is rich with imagination and hope, it often is also shortsighted and self-focused. Growing up brings breadth and width and depth. In the process of maturing, dreams either fade away, or are transformed into destiny.

Everyone has dreams. All children want to be movie stars. But destiny is deeper and wider and higher than a simple dream. In my life, I find destiny at the points where my talents and passions intersect. When I was ten, I wasn't skilled in gymnastics, so I wrote about it instead. Today, my passions are directed at women's issues and human rights. It is impossible to single-handedly bring justice and equality to humanity, but I can effect change by using my talents in my sphere of influence. And, God willing, I will.