In the early 1990s, my friend Joy invited me to a party in Manhattan, where she introduced me to Hannelore Hahn, the Founder and Former Executive Director of the International Women's Writing Guild.
Hannelore passionately spoke about the Guild and invited me to attend their events. I smiled and said I’d like to, not knowing Joy had given her my phone number. Shortly after, Hannelore called, asking for guidance, and at the end of the conversation, she reiterated her invite to a weeklong conference at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.
At that time, it felt impossible. I couldn’t afford to take a week off unpaid and cover the costs. I politely declined, but Hannelore persisted. A year later, she called again, “When are you coming to the conference?” I told her I’d need a year’s notice, thinking that would end the conversation. It didn’t. “Great! August 1994, I’ll send you the workshop leader form,” she said. I was shocked. “Workshop leader? I don’t write!”
It hadn’t occurred to me that the nonprofit bylaws, magazine articles, song lyrics, and years of journaling counted as writing. I filled out the form. By August, I drove up to Saratoga Springs, checked into my first dorm room ever, and attended life-changing workshops.
One exercise at the conference asked us to name a title for a book we might write. I said, Psychic Detective. Everyone assumed it was fiction. “It’s not,” I replied, “It’s my work with law enforcement.”
Their excitement sparked something in me. That was the moment I seriously considered writing a book. Despite a bumpy start and many lessons learned, my journey led to publishing and being featured on Psychic Detectives, which aired in 2004 and became a massive hit on Court TV.
Looking back, I realize how seemingly small choices can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Take a moment to reflect on your own path—those zigzags, curveballs, and universal tests. Sometimes, the simple act of saying "yes" opens doors you never expected.
As you reflect on your journey, consider how the smallest moments and decisions can shape the course of your life. Embrace the opportunities that feel just out of reach, and trust your intuition when it nudges you forward.
Journaling can be a powerful tool in this process, helping you capture those pivotal experiences and reinforcing the importance of trusting yourself and taking thoughtful risks.
So, write your own story—whether it's for your eyes only or to share with the world. The simple act of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) engages your thoughts with purpose, creating a skill set that will serve you in all your future endeavors. After all, every great adventure begins with a single step, and every extraordinary life is made up of countless small “yeses."
