Happy New Year friends of the Odyssey,

Going into the new year, I like many of you, am looking at what needs to change in my life. It’s the same thought that leads to “New Year’s resolutions” and things like that. However, while reevaluating life choices can be healthy, it can also be a root of doubt as I have discovered in the past month.

As I have stated before, I am a new writer, and most of what I know about this writing journey is self-taught. That means that when it comes time to look at what my plans are for the road ahead in this new year it’s really easy for me to wonder “Am I doing this right?” and “Should I take a different approach instead?” Especially when I’m still starting out and I know now would be the easiest time to change the indecision caused by the unknown.

A good example is this very Odyssey log. Opinions vary widely on how to manage a writer’s blog. Should I talk about what I like and keep it easy to manage or should I try to focus on what might be entertaining and stretch myself?

This question, unimportant as it may be to many of you, has really messed with me recently. Also, as I said before, this isn’t the only thing I’ve had doubts about. I’ve had doubts about everything from how I manage my work to how I run my social media to even when I should publish my book. In short I’ve wondered if I was still walking the right path.

While I’ve been dealing with this a lot lately, I don’t think it’s just me, which is why I wanted to write to you about it, Dear Reader. We all get trapped in doubt and indecision when it comes time to reevaluate. We have to be willing to evaluate our own choices or risk becoming bullheaded; however, we have to be willing to stick to our chosen path, if need be.

Doubt is both corrosive and adhesive. The longer it has hold of you it will break down both your dreams and your ability to leave the doubt.

So I’m going to have faith. Faith is the greatest way to defeat doubt because it is the idea of going where you need to go, no matter the current evidence. The difference between it and bullheadedness is that faith isn’t proud. It is an idea that does not move out of a change of situation only a change of purpose.

If the word “faith” is something that messes with you or is something you don’t quite understand, then my invitation is to keep following my adventure. I am going to live by faith for the sake of the Architect of Dreams. I am going to do what I need to do, be willing to change, but not be changed out of fear. So, see for yourself what will come of faith and dare to dream in your new year.

Until next time,
C.R. Ware

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