Six months ago, I had no idea what I loved, I have never thought about reading an English book or writing an English blog, though I felt something missing in my life, I didn’t know what it was until one day at lunch break, I got very excited by one article about “your dream”.

 

I did 30 questions. “What makes you happiest?” I recalled: I enjoyed the time sitting in front of the computer doing assignment or writing while listening to the music. But it seems to me the time is over since I finished the degree in the Uni.

 

“If you had unlimited resources and the ability to do anything you wanted with your time, what would you do?” I started imagine: I would like travel around the world, meeting interesting people, having nice food, and visiting places someone have never been there before. Most important thing, I will write down interesting things which makes me laugh, scares me, excites me, I don’t mind to be a couchsurfer, sharing someone’s homes while travelling all over the world as I guess I can meet amazing friends.

 

“What would you do if you knew you would not fail?” well, I would like write an autobiography regarding my life, that’s fun.

 

“How do you want to make the world better?” that’s a trick question!! I am not rich enough can afford donating a large amount of money to poor people; I have tried my best to protect the environment from my personal aspect. From the whole society, that’s a big issue, which is out of my knowledge. Stopping the war, it is far away from me. “What can I do?” Suddenly, I got an idea: “Yes, why don’t I write articles which can inspire and encourage people who have ever had troubles without knowing how to get out it. That’s the hardest part in my life, I was a dumb student with low self-esteem, I have struggled soo long time in my previous workplace which was arranged by other people. But I always held a dream, eventually, I won the scholarship for study excellence from Latrobe Uni in Australia, and now I am living a life I love with self-confidence. “If I can make it, why other people can’t?”

 

After done 30 powerful questions, I was very happy as I realized what I loved---reading and writing. What an idiot? I forgot this hobby since immigrated to Australia.

 

A few days ago, my daughter questioned me: “Hehe, you are different now, you always sit in front of the computer typing, I haven’t seen you using that laptop for many years. What are you doing?” “I am reading, making notes and sometimes writing blogs.” “Wow, surprising, surprising…”

 

Now, here I am, the happiness moment come back again, I am listening to the smooth jazz while reading- live the life you love. I am inspired by the author-Barbara Sher, “What you love is as unique to you as your fingerprints. You need to know that because nothing will make you really happy but doing what you love.”

 

I think back to the three periods in my life: childhood, adolescence, young adulthood. I found what I am doing was the dream I had from my childhood which could never been realized: eg, dancing. I have fulfilled most of the dreams including studying overseas. The only thing I haven’t done are writing and reading.

 

When I was a child, most books were forbidden in China. Luckily, my Dad is a fan of novels, who kept a few children books for me: Grimm Brothers fairy tale book, Andersen’s Fairy Tale, 365 days, 1001 nights, Arabic books etc. I was amazed by the pictures and stories about beautiful Sinderella married a handsome prince. I was completely living in the fantasy world of the books without realizing what the real world was. I read those books over and over, I was wondering if there were more books for me read, how wonderful that would be? But it’s impossible, as there’s no community library available, my family couldn’t afford to buy more books the same as most others. The only way, it was like a luxury thing if my neighbor rent me some tiny children books with pictures on regarding Chinese revolutionary period how to fight with Guomingdang or Americans sort of.

 

In my adolescence, it’s getting better, every time, when I passed by the bookstand, I would stop and bought YOUNG GENERATION magazine with my little pocket money.

 

How exciting news, Chinese open door policy started in my young adulthood, I was fascinated by the novel: Jane Eyre, I did a lot of research about the author: Charlotte Bronte; I bought all the books written by SanMao, who wrote amazing stories in related to her travelling and studying overseas. They were my heroes, as they all experienced tough childhood and adolescence as I what I did, I learnt how to be an independent woman. I was inspired by SanMao- gradually I developed a dream -studying overseas.

 

After that, I bought all the books which were available on the market regarding someone who had tough life, eventually realized their dream—having a new life overseas.

 

A few days ago, when I read book written by Barbara Sher, Chapter Five- uncover your gifts: how do you know what you’re gifted at? Simple, just take a look at everything you have ever enjoyed doing in your life—whether you were skilled at it or not.

 

Apparently, I enjoyed reading more than anything else, but I used to think I was stupid, I was not a student good enough to write things. Even in the Uni, all finance subjects were A or B, my written English just passed-D. But it can’t stop me enjoy writing.

 

On the way home from work, I kept reading: Tracking what you loved, when I looked at sample activity sheet: wow, I got the spark of a dream: I love travelling and reading, why don’t I start writing reviews for TripAdvisor? Again, a good idea came to me, were there any magazines accept English Articles? I searched internet: New Oriental Magazine and several others accept submission. Awesome...

 

At night, I immediately put it into action. I opened up one blog I posted, though it still took me 2 days to correct grammar mistakes and sentences alteration. I know, when I write a blog, I don’t care, just post it after checked 2 or 3 times. But submission an article is different, you have to make your writing as good as possible because you will have a lot of competitors, but it’s a practical way improving written English.

 

I will always remember what Sally Hogshead said: rather than putting all your energy into being “better”, focus on the ways in which you are different. Yeah, I can’t writing how beautiful English sentences, I can’t write as good English as native speakers. But I can make a difference by using my unique life experience writing something which inspires other people who are struggling about realizing their dreams.

 

A few weeks ago, I was too scared to think and talk the word: “submission an article.” But now I am brave enough to speak out, as I don't care whether I can make it or not or even laughed by others, the most important thing is that I enjoy the challenge to make impossible to be possible.

 

My life is becoming busier, I have endless books to read and never have enough time to write my thoughts, I am enjoy being myself at the moment.tr

Walking at Clarke's Beach with daughter--Byron Bay 18/07/15