For some people stories and characters come to them and seem to become part of their life. And for certain people, those characters become their destiny and their purpose.
J.K. Rowling was given Harry Potter and his story in 1990. It took her 5 years from receiving the idea for the world of Harry Potter and fully sketching out the outline for the 7 books. It then took her another 2 years to finish the first book and get it published. Over the next 10 years she would share the whole story in the series.
George Lucas was given the idea for the Star Wars stories and launched the first movie in 1977. That story is still being unfolded today, 40 years later.
20 years ago three characters were born in my imagination as part of a journal box and story for kids to get their ideas down on paper. But those 3 characters really seemed to be part of a larger group of friends, so four more characters joined what would be known to me as Daisy Button and her friends.
I could see them so clearly in my mind and the real life adventures that they would go on. Over the years their story has clung to my heart and seemed to always be there. As I worked with kids in my coaching practice, the Daisy Button characters seemed to resonate with the kids I was working with. They wanted to make a difference in the world, they had a deep desire to help others and they wanted real life tools to make things happen.
I sketched out the first 3 books in the series many years ago, and self published the first in the DB Adventures series in 2011. It was a story about Social Enterprise, showing kids how they can create win/win situations. A way to make money and help others in their community. When it was done, it seemed like it should have a curriculum to accompany it, one developed online with games and engaging activities. So I developed that as well, and sold it into 5 schools in New Jersey.
I thought that would be the time that Daisy Button and her friends would finally make their way into the hands of kids, but suddenly the doors stopped opening.
With everything that God creates, he has his own timing for when stories should be shared.
God had other plans first. He needed me to go through some very painful and personal experiences before Daisy could float back into my life. A few years later, I knew it was time. But my life experiences changed my perspective on the path I wanted to take with Daisy and her friends.
This time I wanted to get the characters and tools directly in the hands of kids, and empower them to go out and make a difference, as I had done in my coaching practice. Only now they could utilize the technology that they love and pull their friends together to create their own real life adventures.
Books seem to come across my path just when I need them. It doesn't matter that my sister gave me "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren years ago.
I think I had started it and then put it aside. I was probably not ready at the time to fully understand its messages.
I had been wanting a Bible Study type book, to dive into after the first of the year, and came across this book, tucked away on my book shelf, waiting for the right time. I know I would get to it one day.
A 40-day Journey into the deeper meaning of our Purpose, which God has revealed to us within the passages of the Bible.
I was looking for assurances that I was on the Right Path. That I was doing what God intended me to do.
Throughout all of life's challenges, I believed that God has a Plan ~ I was hoping to understand it better by delving into this book.
When I reflect back on my life there are moments with people that are etched in my memory. There are dates in time that are unforgettable and they explain my journey of life.
This last weekend several experiences with family had me reflecting on the next chapter of my life, and felt like it was one of those memorable weekends.
My Aunt and Uncle, who are like my 2nd parents, visited my new place in Tampa and it felt like a passage from one life that we shared together in Connecticut/NJ, to a new life with new experiences in Florida.
Then my sister came down with her son, and we celebrated his 2nd birthday. A new tradition that started last year when we had his 1st birthday party at my house.
My brother then called to share his professional and personal news, and wedding plans being to unfold. Another family celebration to look forward to this year.
But even more memorable for me was a feeling that I was about to walk through a New Doorway to the next phase of my life.
I felt like I had gotten my Mojo back and a new and improved Tracey has emerged.
The last few years have been a work in progress ~ as I guess was part of God's plan. And Zack and I had to process, heal and grow into a new life.
On Super Bowl Sunday, as has been my tradition for many, many years, I was watching it with Zack. This year my Aunt and Uncle watched it with us, and I shared how Jeff used to always run a Super Bowl pool at work and the Meadowlands, and have his paper with all the boxes with him to see who won at the end of each quarter.
A few minutes later I was posting pictures from the weekend on Facebook and Jeff's name popped up, as if he was being tagged in the photos!
I showed my Aunt, who was sitting next to me on the couch. Jeff just wanted to reach out to me and let us know that he was here watching the Super Bowl with us......with my Aunt and Uncle who he loved so much, and while watching one of his favorite games.
This time it felt good seeing his name pop up on my Facebook post.
The pain has subsided and we are moving on, as he would want us to.
