All things have a beginning, no matter how obscure. Sometimes the beginning of something new is a laborious process that takes weeks, months or even years. Such is the case with the development of a new idea. When Edison created the lightbulb, it was a long and difficult process involving years of research and many trials, errors, and defeats before he finally succeeded in the design that became the first commercial lightbulb. However, his design and work was not the only research that went into his eventual success. Other scientists long before Edison had initialized the research with electricity and ways to channel it into some form of practical use. We have lightbulbs, which many of us consider a normal household thing, because a handful of men dared to dream and set themselves to the task of discovery that covered several generations, several countries and some of the most brilliant minds in history.

A good friend of mine once told me I was right up there with Tolkein and Salvatore with my work. My response was to tell him there was no way he could compare me to them as they are Gods in the literary industry and I am only just beginning the meat of my career. Yes, I have had short magazine articles, poems and even a few short stories published, but that does not qualify me, in my opinion, to set my name beside theirs. I grew up knowing their names. We all did. His response to my answer was simple...

Before Columbus discovered the new world, how many knew his name? Before Tolkein was published, who was he but a man. Who you are and who you are destined to be are determined only by the care and quality you put into every word, every note, every thought and every work.

I have thought of his statement for a long time since then and keep coming back to those words. I find them wise, encouraging and very true. We are in fact the writers of our own destinies.