The Struggle (or not)

 Everyone has a story to tell of how they struggled to make it to the top. Some stories are tear-jerkers; some are just sad; and some are mediocre. Well, the question then lies, “Okay, so what now?”

It’s one thing to get to the top, but there’s another thing to stay there.

“What really is the top?”

“Who decide what the top is?”

“The top of what?”

These are only a few questions that we look for answers to soothe us. I can say that monetarily; I’m not quite there yet, but spiritually, I’m above the top. I’ve learned that to struggle means to focus on fighting against something to get where you want to be. And if you struggle in the mind, body, and soul, you will always find more things to struggle with or for.

For me, my struggle is over. I’m right where I want to go and from here I will continue to rise. When climbing the stairs for success, I have learned that you can not look up millions of steps and focus on how many more you have to climb; you need to be grateful on how many of those millions that you have already climbed.

My story? Well, I have a slightly different story to tell on how I got where I am today. I am a strong black woman who began life with a father who was a farmer in Lincolnton, GA that made a living supporting his wife and seven children. When he found out that one of his children needed constant medical care, he sacrificed everything that he had worked for and moved to a larger city becoming a construction worker.

Our family continued to grow adding two additional children (me and my youngest sister). He provider for us so well, making sure that we had all the necessities in life, that we did not know that we were poor. Our love shielded our vision; even after we got to an age and ventured off into the outside world we remained close and full of love.

It was not until now that I realized that we had nothing (compared to what people today consider as being lower to middle class) but we had each other. That’s not a bad thing, because we never went hungry or homeless.

I was born on August 17th in Augusta, Georgia. My mother went home to live with the Lord when I was 11 years old and my father joined them when I was 15. Raised by my 5th sibling, I was taught things in life that will stay with me for a lifetime. One very important thing that she taught me was to always believe in “Me”.

Having a big heart was never the problem; I found my joy in giving to others, and I gave, and I gave, and I gave, until I was left with nothing to give but me. At first, I didn’t think that was enough until I remembered what my sister taught me.

Oh yeah; I still give, but now I give me to the world with open eyes. I realized that the ones that except me are easier to give to, and the ones that need help are the ones that are truly grateful. No. I do not judge who needs and who do not need anything; I just give from my heart.

When I finished high school, I was immediately shipped off to Atlanta, Georgia to attend college where I live to this day. I attended Georgia State University for one year; I got a taste of the night life in an even bigger city and it was all over. All I wanted to do is sleep through the day and party all night. Of course I eventually grew out of it, but it took awhile. And as much as I want to regret it; I do not. There is a path in everyone’s life that will be traveled regardless of how we feel about what we are doing at the time. I under studied life doing the low points in my life and I have learned to practice it in all situations. It wasn’t until a year ago that I finally learned what Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc2 meant. It would be easy for me to tell ones that do not know what this mean, but until you actually experience it is when you truly understand it.

After leaving college, I went to work in Corporate America. This was a life experience that I will never forget. I only had three real jobs in my lifetime, giving many years to each. My present job allowed me to return to college where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Accounting. It was my college experience as an adult that I really found out that I crave writing.

I do not consider myself the world’s greatest writer, but I consider myself a great writer with a lot more to learn. My 1st novel “T.U.L.A.” was a very expensive learning experience. I learned that not all self publishing companies are created equal. Entrusting the editing of my novel to which I though to be a professional editor turned out to be more embarrassing than anything. “But I recovered gracefully”

My 2nd novel I decided to take another path and overpaid for an editing job that was half done – Lesson #2. It did not matter too much because neither job broke my Spirit, and I later learned that from my Fans that if the story was interesting enough you can get it across and it can be well enjoyed. Nevertheless, I refuse to make a practice out of providing less than prefect novels to my Fans and it is somewhere said that 3rd time’s a charm.

I know you are asking, “How is this story different from all the other stories that you have heard?” Well, I’ll let you think about it for a little while and get back with you…..

I’m in process of writing my 3rd Novel which should be finished and ready for release by Late-Spring of 2008. I pray that my Fans will collect and read my work and continue to support my dream.

The only difference between me (as a temporary self publisher) and someone who is a published Author is the expensive editing job of their work. That’s it! 

My Novels are in the same category as theirs; I just have not been given that chance yet to prove to them that they are missing out on someone who is great and can take their business to another level.

In hopes that you become part of my life and grow with me; I promise I will try not to disappoint you. Keep reading and enjoyJ

 Fannie Harris