Don't Serve Time, Make Time Serve YOU!

You choose to believe you make a difference, because otherwise, what the HECK are you doing besides letting the days go by? You ask yourself, "am I making the most of my life or just serving time?"

I received a letter from a reader asking me about how I was able to come to Japan as a teacher but flip that into a successful writing career here. I receive this type of question frequently, and I have no pat or definitive answer to it. I confess some of my success was simply “right place - right time - right frame of mind,” so when I answer such questions, I veer away from the idea that there is some kind of blueprint. I followed no discernible path to reach where I have, and I didn’t intend to blaze a trail for any to follow. I believe we all must make our own way in this world, and when you’re on your path, the “Creator” does what He/She/They can to nudge you and help you stay on it. But the onus is on you to respond to these nudges. Free will, and all that.

But the letter was written respectfully and thoughtfully, so I’ll respond a bit more concretely: