About

For the pursuit of happiness…

When I was younger, I was obsessed with movies like Harriet the Spy and Matilda. I can remember wanting a journal just like Harriet’s, a black-and-white composition notebook. I was so excited when I finally got one that I would walk around my neighborhood and write down everything I saw. When I watched Matilda, it then became my mission to go to the nearest public library and check out a wagon full of books. Most of my motivation was because I thought reading books from the library made you smarter which in turn would give you telepathic powers. Powers or not, I was literally hooked on phonics.

When I got older and more practical, I shifted my focus to other forms of escapism like reality TV and romantic comedies. And until recently, I thought my love for reading and writing was a phase, not realizing both never really left me. If I looked back at any of the times when life got me down, I could find myself in a Barnes & Noble or writing in a journal about feelings I was too afraid to vocalize.

Anytime I would write just for myself I was fearless and never was in my head, everything flowed freely. However, doubt overpowered my mind anytime I wanted to write for public consumption. Ultimately that doubt won and became the reason why I never committed to working in literature. The fear of rejection or failing does not bode well with my anxious personality. Even more importantly, I didn’t have the luxury to put my all into something that wasn’t going to result in immediate success.

I have been in survival mode since I was a teenager and never felt the need to look back. For the longest time, I let life and circumstances decide which route I would take in my career. I felt like I was prepared for anything that could come my way. Unfortunately, I wasn’t prepared to lose my mother. The aftermath of dealing with her death made me realize I didn’t want to leave this earth without fulfilling my dreams.

This blog is about me chasing those dreams and my journey to true happiness. I will no longer settle for “just surviving.” I now choose to prioritize the things that bring me joy, one of which is contributing thought-provoking work.