Stay the Course; Follow Your Dreams

I don't know if this is any consolation to you, but i hope you do keep on following your dreams, as you are such a valued hubber..... Your work is wonderful, you put your heart and soul into all you do...... Please be assured that you have lots of support to fulfull your dreams

Very heartfelt - I'm glad you are choosing to write and to follow your dream - many wise men have followed their dreams when others told them they were foolish or would fail. What's the alternative? You have to be yourself and live your life and follow your heart because no one knows you. Writing is a noble thing and writers are a gift to the world! We would miss your unique voice on hubpages, and with your unique life, only you can tell your stories! Blessings on your journey!

the thing is, if you feel fulfilled and you follow your dream, everything else fits in around it, how can you do anything if you are not happy yourself. I don't know whether being a creative person is good or not, i just know i have to be creative, or i am not me.... i think the same goes for you. You so touched my heart with your comment when i came back to hub pages, with my new name.... i had been through hell, just to be allowed to write, and your comments, were soothing, and every time i write i see you one of the first there. thanks soooo much.

thank you so m uch, you are a star

Your words are filled with inspiration, love of life, and most of all wisdom. Follow you dream, dohn, and know fully that you will succeed. I believe the universe guides us as we guide the universe. If you're having fun and loving your life as you travel your path, you're already a success.

You nailed it again. I don't know where I stand with this. My ambivalence hasn't helped me, either. My fear of failure and rejection is nicely balanced with my fears of regrets.

What a good hub. What a good job! You do wonders with words, dohn, and I for one won't be surprised to see you happy, successful and published. Keep your chin up and keep on writing, because you really do it well.

I really enjoyed reading this! Your words are very encouraging and heartfelt!

Excellent hub dohn and some excellent pictures ! Being a writer is a fine ambition and you seem determined enough to get where you want to go !

Interesting hub. Of course, follow your dreams. So what if you fail? I am older and maybe have a different perspective because I have failed many times and then I find that wasn't meant to be at all. I found I learned and grew. Happiness is an inside job. If you have people who are not supporting you than you have a choice of cutting them loose. No, I'm not Michael Jordan, etc but I have had wonderful things happen in my life, have precious memories and I am always open to trying something new. I have learned to follow that little feeling in my tummy that instinctively tells me which choice to make.

You absolutely nailed it for me when you mentioned that your fear of regret outweighs your fear of rejection. Oh, Dohn, this Hub really touched a part of me that's been sleeping for a long, long time. I am 53 years old now and have an employment history similar to yours.

Only within the last year have I come to realize how very essential writing is to my very existence, my soul, if you will. That's alot of regret.

But I have lots of time left-I hope!-and HubPages is a wonderful place in which to live it!

My son's dream, is to become a rock star and I believe that he can make it he is a brillant guitarist, I am positive that he has a gift. For you Dohn my friend, since my first arrival in the HP , I must admit, that I always thought that you are in the category of all this brillant writers. I am sure that you have a gift for writing, I do believe deeply and sincerly in your dream, I will pray for you, and I know you will make it. You have in you 2 strong factors that will lead straight to you future success, its love for writing and the believe of your dream. Your hub has just proven how much you are confident. Go for it my brother, you will make it. God Bless bro. :)

Thanks for this beautiful hub.

Great heartfelt hub, dohn. Your life journey reads harder than mine however I have had similar experiences with people who are quick to dismiss your life dreams. We call these people "knockers" as they are quick to knock down your ideas and aspirations. It's like a double edge sword though as the people who knock you down give you the grit and determination to prove them wrong, even if you never become successful.

On a more cheerful note, I enjoy your writings, hubs and articles. Your descriptions are quite powerful and creative, I like your analogy of the pie dish in this hub!

Hopefully your novel will be published so we can keep enjoying your work.

John Updike said, "Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them", and I say, if we don't dream, we are dead. People who cast doubt on us, our passions, our hopes and dreams, have no business doing so. I think you have already achieved much having written some of the most fascinating hubs that's been read here, this one included. And, you've only just begun! You're on your way, and i hope A.P will be around to see that! Btw, i love the photos.

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it."

You my friend are one special man and I applaud you for your vision to see that your talent is not to be wasted on the mundane.

Hey Dohn, great article. It does take courage to follow your dreams and it also takes thick skin to handle the naysayers. I've written over a dozen screenplays on spec and haven't sold any of them but I'll never quit writing them. The stories build up in my head and I have to put them in print or else lose them to the next story.

I have friends and family members that had questioned my "wasting time online" until they seen the kinds of deposits being made in my accounts. Someday they'll see one of my movies either on the big screen or in their living room and then we'll see who was wasting time.

I don't call it wasting time. In the industry we call it paying our dues. Trial and error, acceptance and rejection, they all go together as part of the game.

Those who know you and read your material know you have a great imagination, talent and skills with wordplay that will take you to your goals. I'm just glad I can follow you on your journey.

Please do not let others get in your way of you fulfilling YOUR dreams. Cast there harshness and them to the curb if needbe. Once you loose your dreams and faith in yourself it is pure hell to regain that strength. Its been so long for me now that I have no more dreams and do not believe I will ever again. Especially when it was so called 'family' who did you in. DO NOT GIVE UP your writing is definately publishable! Don't listen to them please.

I'm so glad your fear of regret outweighs your fear of rejection. I KNOW that no one ever says from his or her death bed, "Wow I wish I had more money right now," or "Wow, I wish I'd worked longer hours." No, the things people regret are the things they never tried out of fear of disapproval or whatever.

Being a writer means living with constant rejection. It's true. No matter how successful you become as a writer, some people will tell you that you suck and should get a real job. I have 'anti-fans' at Hub Pages and at Examiner, for instance. These are people who profess to hate me but yet they read everything I write. So go figure.

At first I was all hurt, like, why are you doing this? Why do you read every word just to tell me how wrong and witless I am? But eventually it hit me, that's what being a writer is. It's like being a target. We don't do it for fame or love, we do it because it is what we do and who we are. If you are a writer you understand. If you are not, then no explanation will ever make you understand.

I think you are an awesome writer dohn. Don't ever give up!

Dohn, I'm very happy that you are following your dream. I have read a lot of your hubs and you write very well and with no doubt in my mind that when you finish editing you will be able to publish your book.

To sum this up, I don't listen to anyone who tells me that I will never be able to achieve my dream. First of all, who gives that person a right to say so. These are the Ney sayers. Don't ever give up on your dream because of someone else.

You touched me deeply with this Hub, and wishing you fullfilment of your dreams from all my heart.

We all have fears and this is the biggest challenge in the life to overgrow them...or to follow brilliant star of the soul inspite of fears...

Dear Dohn, do not forget ...you are alredy publishing (HP) you are already successfull, you have more readers then many writters,just... all of us who want to write here have to find out the better ways how to earn much more money from our Hubs...he, he...

...from Hubs it is not far from published book, etc, etc,go step by step...you are brave man, kind, already successful.You already achieved so much. Relax and follow your rainbow...and start to meditate on money!!!and on the things you want and need - you have full right to enjoy the life! You really do not want too much, Dohn! You deserve all what you mentioned here!

Dohn I hope you know you are an excellent writer. If you haven't been published yet is because the right publisher hasn't come around. With your dedication and passion I have no doubt we will soon be asking for your autograph on our copies. To your publishing success!

dohn121 - I feel that you will succeed in your dream. It will come true.

My own dreams are small ones but are equally hard to turn into reality but I am not losing hope.

Keep dreaming and hoping, Dohn. As long as you believe, they will come true someday :)

Dohn, this is the single most important hub for me to read today. I believe that many of us here the very same way you do. I am very guilty of listening to those who say nothing is worth it, I am not worth it. Life is full of trials and errors--and it is very hard to go through those trials without any guidance and support. I think that is why I read a lot here on the Hub--and this beautiful writing you have here--is the reason why.

Thanks again Dohn for your motivational hub. It would seem I am in good company here.

-hugs- AIDY

Hey, man, this was one of the best Hubs that I have ever read. I feel for you man, because I have an unpublished novel myself. I could make a lot of money doing other things, but I prefer to do what I love.

If you ever need anything from me, just leave me a message and I'll get back to you.

It's heartbreaking, it is painful in many aspects when you sit down someday and regret not doing this or that! I felt a bit dejected readign your hub, and I started to see myself thru your words: where am I heading to? WHat am I doing? See, this is the good thing about not being able to see into the future or we will surely die of frustration. The good thing about the future is that you can't see it, which gives you a push to survive and continue living. Aspiring for a new thing to happen every single day. How wonderful is that dohn! I've always admired people who pursue their dreams infatigably and without fear! Actually, it's people who frsutrate you and hinder you sometimes, so, never listen to them and listen to your inner voice and heed your dreams... at least, that's what I've been doing. I really wish you the best in your live dohn bcz you deserve the best. You're an ambitious and goodhearted guy, so never fail or fall...

Chris De Burgh says:

There are those who fail, there are those who fall,

There are those who will never win,

Then there are those who fight for the things they believe,

And these are men like you and me :)

hi Dohn,

this is a very inspiring hub. We live only once, we dream small, sometimes big. Hope and dreams are free (and nobody can take that away from you), and

you have all the talent--to write, I for one like many of us here believe in your talent. I like the compassion and passion you put when you write! I will continue to read your hub and still waiting for more,,,so just go on, enjoy what you like to do, and your effort will not go into waste. Keep on believing (I know you do!) and the world is waiting for you!

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." Unknown

Im of the opinion that your dreams can not be measured by soemone else's standards, and there is no such thing as a small dream. One person may wish to make a million dollars, another may wish to be heard. Life is usless without some sort of goal, whatever it may be. As long as your working towards something that you desire, you will feel better then when your doing nothing. I also am positive you will be published, if any attempt for some unknown reason fails,(like the publisher has his head up is ass) just come back hear and read all this, can all of us really be wrong? I admire your tenacious spirit, talent and wisdom. I am positive you can not fail with these attributes.

Exactly why I believe I came upon HubPages. I stumbled on it really by accident. I was trying to find a place to share my writing. It came to me very slowly after I read some inspirational books I asked myself what I wanted to do, and so I put it out there and here I am. I was also nominated for the Hubnugget Wannabe thing this week. Still not clear what it's all about but I am doing pretty well in the polls. I love the way you write, I fanned you yesterday so I can keep up with you better. I am following my dreams!

dohn, sounds to me like AP has their own issues. If that person is secure and content in their own lives, wouldn't they try to give you encouragement?

You have a positive spirit and energy, you'll do just fine.

Dohn121, I read your warning, then I read your hub. I am sorry that your family member is not being supportive. I had a friend who went through a similar situation. He was an artist and his dream was to open a successful t-shirt line. Everyone he told either made fun of him or said he was wasting his life.

So he stopped telling people. He had 2-3 friends that believed in him and helped him (glad to say I was one of them), and he eventually was able to sell his shirts in 3-4 shops around his town and is now looking into internet sales in the next couple years.

Whether this will end up a big flop - I don't know... but I do know that he told me one of the best decisions he made was to pick and choose who he told so that he would not become discouraged... and it looks like his dream is coming true.

I agree with you... my fear of regret outweighs rejection... my problem is that I still REALLY fear rejection... and sometimes it overwhelms me (not going to lie) Good for you on working that out and writing an excellent hub :)

There is a name for these people, Dream Killers and they are.

They do it under the guise of I am trying to help you or the one I love the best, I'm your friend or I wouldn't tell you the truth..NOT! Your dreams are of course inside of you follow your heart always not people. I have been following your revenge series, it's great.

I once read that Jack London hung his Christmas tree with his rejection slips...rejection should be a motivator, a means to push harder, a challenge to your inner strength...success is going from failure to failure without losing one's enthusiasm...Thomas Edison has said " I have never failed at anything; I discovered 10,000 ways that don't work "....It all comes down to your own personal perspective ...Thanks for sharing your thoughts ( and dreams )... you have a beautiful heart and a beautiful way with words...both will sustain you in your quest to be published ... Larry

When you are dealing with people who think that your life should be in a corporate box all you have to do is go and speak with some retired people, especially older men. Ask them if they have any regrets. I absolutely guarantee that not one of them will say "I wish I'd spent more time at the office". Go for your dreams. As for dealing with rejection check out this guy's life. He seemed to go pretty well in the end

http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/index.html

It's failure of an event that leads to rejection not failure of a person.

Dohn--I had to come back and read this once more--it has become my daily affirmation of sorts! I cannot wait till you can show them that dreams do come true! I was told before that people can just hate you for just being happy--isn't that just the saddest thing, Dohn? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

I am happy for you Dohn--you show them!!! I will always be a fan and a good friend to you--in the good times when you are winning Oscars for your work, and in the bad times when you may be drunk from all the excitement of it all, and may pee your pants--shucks, I'd pee my pants too just so you would not be embarrassed alone--ok wait...peeing your pants may not be a cool thing to do...but I hope you understood what I meant. umm...yeah?

You are a wonderful person and an excellent writer! All of us have dreams and I certainly know that you are going to achieve yours, if I can you can. My downfall on HP is that I read so much and forget to comment (lazy) but I love reading your hubs and this one is all about you I really truly enjoyed that. :)

Yes dohn, follow your dreams, never give up. Keep at it and all power to you.

Since you are able to live frugally now, that is a big plus. It is the time needed to spend at work (whatever you need to do now to earn money) in order to put bread on the table and a roof over the head/s that seem to hinder most dreamers but that is reality. You seem to be well balanced in that respect. That is a good sign.

Mike.

Dohn you have 500+ fans saying we'll be proud to say "I knew him when." We love how you lay it on the line in every hub you write. I'm glad to be a fan and will demand you send me a signed copy of your book when you get it published. :D

Familial criticism can be the hardest to ignore, but your dreams are yours. People who are busy criticizing others' choices are usually not fully engaged or focused on their own dreams, or are merely trying to escape from their own problems. I was inspired by this hub and its personal nature. I've been there.

dohn, this is truly a great piece and coming from an Asian family myself, I understand the value they place on getting monetary returns for work. The conversation with AP resonated with similarity in my family. Writing does seem like an idle profession(if only they knew), very much like the starving artist, but if you think you have found your calling (your work is your testament), I think you definitely have--then plod on. You'll get there and stand tall. We're all rooting for u.

I'm glad you're enjoying the work you're doing now. Keep up the good work and on days, when I'm down and wondering why I can't keep away from writing (even though I'm not making much), I'll remember your advice--even if I don't find the pot of gold, I would have the enjoyment of running through the grassy knoll--and the view has been worth every step I take.

im trying to write and get published myself im not sure if I should try with an agent or not.

anyway I liked the skyline, but I loved the point you made in the article.

Thanks

dohn --

You write hubs from the heart. (Sounds like a Hallmark card series.) I think that's why your material is always such a nice read. Your determination will get you where you want to go, I'm sure. Go get that dream!

Dohn, I agree editing is so much more difficult. If you ever need a second pair of eyes, let me know--I've a writing degree too--though it's more non-creative--articles, memoirs...such.

Also, I want to share a great writer's magazine--simply called The Writer--you will find lots of encouragement and lots of writing tricks/tips from established writers. It's the best magazine I've subscribed!

Good luck on your venture.

Dohn,

Don't let anyone stop you from dreaming. I believe your dreams will all come true for you. Why? Because you are such a talented writer and you write with passion. I also am following my dream. I am working on my CD today. We are laying down the vocal tracks.

This was a wonderful, heartfult hub. Thanks for the inspiratin!

In reading this hub it was so inspirational, and also displayed your very real talent for writing. I have no doub that you'll meet your goals!

Another great hub, Dohn. You know I'm one of your biggest fans. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you're going to successfully publish your book(s). I'm excited already. :) You've renewed my desire to finish one of a couple I've started.

dohn - you never regret what you have done but what you have not done or attempted. Just don't feel alone. I think the hubpages are full of similar folks. Someday, we'll meet at the Tavern on the Green while lunching with our editors!

I beleive in everything that you are saying here! It is important to keep your eyes on your dreams. Sometimes, it might be difficult during tough times. Due to the naysayers, and jealous friends one should push past those things and not listen to them.

Hello Dohn

This is powerful writing. You are so RIGHT to keep following your dreams but you already know that. There are too many knockers and no one person can tell another how to live their life. I would like to share a wee story about me - my dream of getting published seemed unreachable and then suddenly (almost out of the blue!) I was offered a book deal! It was one of those precious moments in life. It happens and sometimes it happens when you are not expecting it. Keep those dreams!

I enjoyed reading this because far too often we sell out our dreams for "reality"...and where does this lead to? Empty? Full of regrets? Angry? Sad? Lonely? Hmmmm....I say live and dream! :)

Dohn, don't give up your dream. You have a lot of passion for it.

I had a dream to set up a small IT Business in 2001. I was bored stiff of 9-5 and wanted to work less hours, earning even more money. (ha! have my cake and eat it)

My Job in 2001 was An Administrator with the Police £18,000 - very good pay. Well, I quit. My colleagues said I was crazy and thought I'd gone cuckoo. Long story short, got a list of about 50 IT Software Training centres, did a mail shot, got contracts with two of them which led me down another career in life and paid much more than the Admin.

Here's the thing - years later, looking back. I thought "how did I do that"? and I remember so clearly in my heart I was 110 % sure that it would be a successful venture and I had 0% doubt in my head. I hope this encourages you. Good Luck.

Loving your dream car above and the wheels "ding dong"! :)

Dohn,

This is a fantastic post! I couldn't agree more with you on every point you make. Yours is a tremendous story and I would love to see you succeed in getting published. It's funny because most of the people who scoff at our dreams, inside regret what they are doing and that they DIDN'T chase theirs!

My only issue with your hub is that I wish it was longer. I want to hear more. I am definately a fan of yours now, and I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on chasing your dreams.

Keep standing tall and aiming high,

Dan

They say that the best things in life are free. And to dream is free. But what you actually do about realizing it is what makes it exciting. The challenges are there to excite, to drive and fuel us not to deter.

A great hub! You're like a one-man support group my friend. A positive presence on HP. I should listen to you more. Two thumbs up! Way waaaaaay up! :D

Dohn let me tell you something that might help you stand where you are. People in society live in a shackled ground; they only see the world through a narrow view and entrap themselves with this thing called 'reality'. Their 'reality' is actually their five senses at work, so we can never be sure if that reality truly does exist.

What we do know that exists is ourselves and our dreams and that is far more real than by their definition of reality. You don't live on the ground, you live amongst the sky and the world is your playground. People work to live and live to work; they are both bullshit. You don't need to work to live, all you need to do is simply live.

Writing keeps me alive and I'm sure it is as so to you. Keep dreaming and keep living. Pity the others who don't see the world as you do, because they can get all the money and power they want, but what they will never have done is lived a life.

Money makes some people very happy, and writing makes you very happy. Isn't that a human being's ultimate universal goal? So if you achieve your goals through easier means than more power to you.

Sup DOHN,I have a couple of A.P.s in my life too.they are my immeadiate family members,and the funny thing about it is I have acheived and seen more things in my life than they have!I settled once for the 9 to five life and was content with working til retirement,until a couple of years back I lost my job and have been going from job to job ever since working a year or two here being laid off and working a year or two there and being laid off...so I don't care what the A.P.s in my life have to say about anything anymore because I tried the run down with the 9 to 5 played the safe route only to have the rug snatched out from under my feet!the dreamer in me has been reawakened because of the plant closings and jobs moving off shore and a failed economy,people with dreams are the people that change the world,look at thomas edison how wild a dream could that have been for a man of his time?look at the wright brothers inventing the air-plane,they was treated like morons until they made it happen,and all the A.P.s had to shut their mouths and fade to black while the wright brothers made history!!I'm a dreamer and dreamers can't stop dreaming they can only stop chasing their dreams,they can only give up trying to make it real,but a dreamer will never be able to stop thinking about his/her dream they will always wonder what if? its better to chase your dreams and fail than to wake up ninety years old one day still wondering what if you would have just tried a little bit harder?

Dohn, what an honest and heartfelt hub! Be who you have to be and don't ever give up hope! It pains me to no end to realize that my life is full of regrets, one of which is giving up on being a writer at such an early age because of something or someone that I let define me. Don't let that happen to you. Keep writing and keep developing as a writer...that's the journey that writers embrace. I do want to tell you that Amazon has "Create a Space" where you work with them on publishing your work. There are no upfront fees that I am aware of and they charge some type of royalty fee, but they take care of it all for you. Check it out and keep on pursuing your dreams!

Hey dohn, thanks for this hub. I could have sworn you made this hub especially for me. LOL :)

Seriously, you just took the (written) words out of my mouth (or my fingers). I've written a hub about making up my mind and I guess it all boils down to one thing - am I really doing what I want to do? Right now, I'm all about obligation - to my father, his practice and my people. But the time is coming when I will really have to make up my mind and decide what I really want and follow it.

I salute you for doing what your heart desires and don't ever give it up. You're a great writer and you will get published one day. Who knows, that one day may happen next year? :) Maybe instead of predicting how many fans you'll get, I should predict when you'll get published :). Hang in there and keep on writing. We're all rooting for you.

Dohn, you just made me shed some tears and I haven't really cried that much these past two years! I told my husband by hook or by crook we'll make the decision next year. Right now, I just want to ask for help from Up There on the right decision for us. It's not that easy. Thanks, thanks, thanks! :)

dohn, your hub was touching. Truly heartfelt and wonderfully clear. Better yet was reading all of the support you have received from your fans here at HubPages. You are truly blessed. But you completely deserve it, for you give nothing less than your best, especially when encouraging other writers.

I'm glad to hear that you are going for the gold! Here's to seeing as much success as you can handle graciously.

You are not only an excellent writer but also a good son who wants to honor his parents. You have already honored them with what you have said about them and when you can help them financially it will be frosting on the cake. Please put me down for one of those autographed copies of your book!

I am so glad you mentioned this hub to me! I wrote one where I share how I encourage others to follow their dreams. You are a very good writer and you need to follow your dreams, absolutely. I too think that the day I meet my death, I hope, I don't have any regrets of things left undone. Following one's heart is the highest honor you can give yourself, how can it not be, its the highest part of yourself. I remember reading from one of Wayne Dyer's book, that is important to surround oneself with positive people, they are probably also following their own dreams so most likely will not would feel threatened by another's success.

So glad to finally getting a chance to read your work!

Read, enjoyed and agree with every word of this hub. You go! I command a publishing deal for you and it will come forth in the next six months! Like you, I have finally given up on dead end jobs and glamorous careers that I hated and gone back to writing, which is what I was orginally supposed to do. My dream of earning a decent living while inspiring others with a God given gift lives and you've inspired me this day to keep going after it. Thank You.

So far I've just only looked over this hub. I like it. I particularly like the pictures (photos) I'm going to start reading now. I already know it is for me. Thanks a lot. I can truely sit back and enjoy. You are my type of writer.

Cool dude. I like your dreams. I love adventuring and writing as well. There's nothing like it. I'm glad you didn't give in to the negativity. Keep truckin!!

This is a beautiful hub, Dohn! Very inspirational as well. You are an amazing writer and it is lovely to here how your perseverance is riding high. I think it is when we stop giving to what we love to do everything else can become more trying and difficult to achieve. This was great for me to read to connect with your passion and fire for your dreams. Beautiful!

Anybody who says don't follow your dreams are completely idiotic. Your hub was amazing and very well written.

Yes we all need to dream that is what gives us our goals in life to continue on. I have also written 2 novels not published. In fact I stopped writing for ages as I was virtually laughed at like you I have been writing for about two years again now. We have to believe in ourselves sometimes and do what we enjoy. That is a part of life experience we all have to learn. Great and lots of comments too.

A heartfelt 'Thankyou' Dohn! - that is what I can say here.

yes, Thanks a lot, really.

Reading your hub and the following comments instills a strength to keep believing in one's self. As you can see/feel that you are an inspiration to many of us here...Dohn, all your hard work, aspirations and our wishes for you will not go in vain, I am sure you will be published.yes..you will. PERIOD! ;)

The best advice anyone could ever get. Keep it up my friend. You are on your way!!

Hello Dohn

I sent you an email regarding the book I had published. By the look of all of these amazing comments you've been busy replying, but I just wanted to make sure you received it OK.

Wow Dohn, I'm not gonna read the thousand comments on this thing, so sorry if I repeat. My guess is this un-named person trying to crush your dreams has been put in your path to give you moxy. So, kudos to him for a job well done. :) In reading this I really feel like I need to get myself a dream. Other than the one of paying my bills... yep. I gotta get me one of them dream things. ;)

How beloved you are! Lord knows I chased my dreams for 20 years in the music business against much criticism in my family. And when I was done, I was flat broke and everything I owned fit in a car. But I was happy. At my class reunion, the guy who had become rich, and who was usually a bit snobbish, took me aside and told me he was envious of me. I was incredulous. He said, "You're the only person in this room who followed his dream. And we all had one."

Not only is your hub inspirational to all hubbers, but it is by far the very best thing you could do for your own desire to succeed. With this hub published and being commented on constantly, you have constant reminders of what your goals truly are and how far you are willing to go to reach them. In my hub I refer to this as a dream folder, and yours is absolutely perfect for renewing your strength to accomplish everything you desire. There is not a doubt in my mind that you will succeed Dohn, and it is a pleasure to be your fan and read your writings. Here's to the success that lies just around the corner for us all!

Love it, love it! Without dreams there would only be the reality of nothing. There's nothing more pleasant than having a vision and having that vision manifest itself into reality. Great Hub, Dohn!

Dohn.... Wonderful HUB. To paraphrase Mark Twain "In the end, it will be those things that we did NOT do that we will regret, not the things we did..." Or something like that, still TRUE non-the-less. As you know, I am living part of your dream now, and of course withstanding my share of "dream smashers" as well, but also like you the normal world did not treat me much better. Oh well... "Tally ho, and off we go", check my HUB "This Dream, It Seems"..... we may yet cross paths. Best JM

For some of us, writing is almost as important as breathing. For the rest, they will never understand. If you ever need to find out how important writing is to you, just stop writing! If you can't handle life without, then your a writer! thanks for the hub. I enjoyed it.

This hub is simply great. I agree 100% with you. Great piece. And Ole's version of somewhere over the rainbow is one of my very preferred songs ever. It makes my heart vibrating, so to speak.

I found this very thought provoking and, more especially, timely. I've been having my own thoughts on why I write here and who I am. you can find this at https://hubpages.com/relationships/Why-do-we-publi... I'd be interested to hear what you think. Jeff

Wow, my friend...

What I want to say is so long that I`d rather publish a hub about it than post it as an answer.

Just know you have inspired me deeply!

Thank you for being here!

yoroshiku onegai shimasu, dohn121-san!

Hi Dohn,

I found this story because I read Mystique's tribute to you on a hub; everything he said is well deserved and as you know I much appreciate you as a writer.

I know for sure your novel will be published and you will make your family proud.

dohn121-- thanks so mcuh for this hub, it's exactly what I needed. you will publish I knwo you will. keep up the great work here!

I added the link, thanks so much for your kind words. It will be hard to give you back all that you give to me. Thanks my friend.

Hi dohn, I've put a link here from my newest hub. Let me know if it's ok. :)

While I'm rather confident that one day you will be published you said it best with this sentence "My fear of regret outweighs my fear of rejection."

I feel exactly the same way. There are many things I regret from my younger years and I believe I have learned from these mistakes as well.

I will keep trying to pursue my dream because if I don't then I am stuck with yet another "What If?" question that will drive me nuts. What could I have done if only I had tried harder? I don't want to have this question haunting me again. I would much rather fail than have to ask myself this question yet once again. Failure is much better than regret. Still nothing beats a hard earned success either. :)

It is key to surround yourselves with positive rather than negative people when working toward your dreams. It is discouraging when someone comments on your dream or puts it down. Friends should uplift each other, but sometimes we aren't in the same place in life and don't have the spirit to uplift each other.