Recovering The SelfA Journal of Hope and Healing

Fulfilling Your Dreams

That One Person

by Ken La Salle 

“I’m not going to be one of your fans.”The Worth of Dreams The Value of Dreamers

She said this to me shortly after she found out I was a writer. You see, she had split up with an artist sometime before and, from what I could gather, he was unreliable, worthless, and selfish.

This colored our relationship and I believe I made a promise not to be like that other artist, because I wanted her to be my fan even more than I wanted her love.

This month, I’d like to talk to you about finding that one person. That one person who believes in you. That one person who has your back. That one person who knows you’re going to make it even when you’ve given up hope.

I’ve written about having a support system, family and friends who support you, before – but this is different. In my case, this is essential.

There were women before my wife, women who thought I was smart and clever and even handsome, but I had never known a person who believed I was… that person I always hoped I could be.

It took a lot of work but I eventually turned Vicky into one of my fans. I think it was sometime shortly before we were wed. There were still books that didn’t quite click with her, plays she didn’t like, and there always would be. There still are. But the thing about Vicky is she has never doubted I would step back up in front of the pitch and knock it out of the park.

That’s a fan.

But then, a few years back, things began changing in my life. I lost one job due to a combination of my own pigheadedness and my employer’s poor management. I lost another job when the real estate market fell in California. I lost a third job in the Great Recession. The economy was so bad that it seemed a surer bet to work on my writing career rather than pursue solid employment in a shaky economy.

I agreed to look for part-time work while I chased after my dream of being a writer. But, you know, in rotten economies, part-time jobs are just as unstable and I went through six, seven, eight… heck, I’ve lost count. And I finally came to a point where sometimes I think my luck has just about run out.

But I used all of the time unemployment afforded me to chase my dream with all the energy my life could afford. I wrote more than a dozen books, more than two dozen plays, and essays like this one by the pound. I created a website, found an agent, found a publisher, self-published more, started a podcast, wrote multiple blogs, and explored YouTube.

I’m going to tell you the truth, though. My books haven’t really sold as well as I’d hoped and theaters haven’t really taken to my plays. I’d say I despaired but that just doesn’t sound strong enough.

Meanwhile, there was Vicky. Vicky kept her job, thrived, and did everything imaginable to hold our lives together. After work, she teaches. Some weekends, she makes money helping a friend’s business. We’re flat broke most of the time and things don’t appear to be getting much better.

And yet, somehow – somehow, in a way I cannot begin to explain – she has remained in my corner. She continues to cheer me on. As I write these essays, telling others to pursue their dreams, Vicky encourages me to keep after mine.

I don’t know what I would have ever done without Vicky. I surely would not be the man I am today. My wife has an unfathomable well of belief and cheer and good will that I could never begin to match.

For me, she is that one person. She is that one person my dream has waited for, like the sun the flowers bloom for. If you find yourself fortunate enough to have such a person in your life, never lose them. Hold them tight.

Because there are many things you will need to pursue your dream. And that one person may be just the thing.

About the Author

Author and Playwright, Ken La Salle grew up in Santa Ana, California and has remained in the surrounding area his entire life. He was raised with strong, blue-collar roots, which have given him a progressive and environmentalist view. As a result, you’ll find many of his stories touching those areas both geographically and philosophically. His plays have been seen in theaters across the country and you can find a growing number of books available online. Find out more about Ken on his website at www.kenlasalle.com. Ken La Salle is represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, LLC.

Share This Page

PinIt

Subscribe to RTS Journal posts

DISCLAIMER: please read

Recovering The Self is a forum for people to tell their stories. Individual contributors accept complete responsibility for the veracity, accuracy, and non-infringement of their reporting.
Inclusion in Recovering The Self is neither an endorsement nor a confirmation of claims presented within. Sole responsibility lies with individual contributors, not the editor, staff, or management of Recovering The Self Journal.
Malcare WordPress Security