A few weeks ago, I was riding around looking for something to eat. As a Libra, indecisiveness often delays my ability to make choices without going from A to Z a few times. While battling what would taste good at the moment, a voice in my head said go to the library. Without hesitation, in my most Cajun backwoods Louisiana voice, I asked, “Umm mm fah what?” No, not out loud because I don’t talk to myself. I’m a little off, but I’m not “crazy crazy.” Dismissing the voice, I proceeded to check out the nearest restaurant options. Anyway, after I finally decided on what food would satisfy my roaring gut, I heard the voice say, “go check the library out—it’s right there.” Again, I asked, “what am I going to do in there?” Now, keep in mind, I am one of those people who listens when I am spoken to. Whether it’s that little whisper that says “don’t go that way” or that loud voice that says “let them know you don’t play that ish”—I listen. Even if the message is conveyed through a dream or if it’s that lil nagging feeling that something is about to happen—I listen. After I devoured my meal, I drove my ass to the library.

The library closes at 8pm today is the first sign I see as I approach the front doors. I walk in and wandered around aimlessly. I’m kind of lost because I haven’t been in a library in years. This library was not one that I visited before, so I truly felt like a fish out of water. I notice the kids’ section, then a teens’ section. As a kid, I loved going to the library. I would check out a few books and finish reading them within a few days. I felt accomplished – smart even. I don’t know when I lost the excitement of going to the library. Maybe when it became a task (homework/research) rather than a retreat. Then it was fun; now my thoughts were “go to the library fuh what”? Everything you want and need is on the intahnet! E-books are the new wave. Hard copy items can be found digitally. Seriously, does anyone use encyclopedias anymore?

The first person of interest that I see is this “juvie” (adult – significantly younger than one’s age group). He was a 6’3″, medium-built, 30-something cutie with dreadlocks and a big dimple on the right side. He was ducked off in the back, laptop in his lap and headphones on his ears. Oh, so this is the reason? Okay, got it! Was this voice I heard trying to introduce me to my future husband? I circled the block to stay within eye distance of my future boo… and in true goof troop fashion, I ran into the shelf. A book fell… the title includes the word “genealogy”… Ohhhhhhh! This is the reason. I had been telling myself I would make time to find my momma’s three sisters (two on her daddy’s side and the sister my grandma “gave away”). Well, that day arrived, and it was time to start researching my family tree. I immediately found the service desk and inquired about how to find newspaper articles/information on genealogy. The librarian explained that most of the information was digitally saved, but there was a whole department dedicated to genealogy at the main library. All I needed to do was get myself a library card, and I would have access to all the information I needed. Now all that extra about the juvie and genealogy I just told y’all is not the reason for this post. I was unable to find my aunts, nor did I get the number of the handsome juvie. What I did discover while on the library digital site were different resources for something I have been interested in doing but never could commit to. And that is becoming a published author. I started writing then life happened. Writing every day turned into writing every 6 months. I was unmotivated, to say the least. Then when asked about my work, I let people review it and was discouraged by the criticism. So I stopped. I stopped thinking about it and stopped writing. I stopped dreaming.

Like the voice that I heard that day, I cannot deny nor dismiss the message. I was sent to a place full of books to motivate me to start writing again. I was told to go to a place with the information placed directly in my face so that I could not use excuses of not knowing what to do next. I was sent to a place that offered meetings/classes for people interested in becoming writers and published authors. The information found in this library will benefit me and aide in this journey that I’m about to take. Why? Because I listened!!!

This blog will serve as a tool to keep me writing on a regular basis. An accountability piece if you must. Who knows what ideas will stem from writing about my experiences. I’ll keep y’all updated as things progress and the benefits unfold! But the main thing that needs to be heard is listening. Listen Linda! The answer is within!