Do you ever feel like old George Bailey? George had a dream and he often felt thwarted by the events of his life getting in the way of his dream.
As a girl growing up in California, I dreamed of being in the entertainment industry. Little did I know a four month internship at the Oklahoma City Theater Center would turn into a thirty year stint of marriage, motherhood and all the trappings of reality.
I sold my first magazine article to the Ladies Home Journal in 1979 and thought I was really on my way. But the road of life is filled with detours. During the 80's the kids burned our house down, my mother endured a long journey through cancer, and the Oklahoma oil boom went bust. Through the crucible of struggle, my spiritual awareness grew.
The 1990's were better. Having seen my mother submit her health to the established medical community and die at the age of 58, I figured I didn't have much to lose by seeking another path. Thus, began my interest in alternative medicine. Chinese herbs, essential oils, energy healing, blue-green algae-you name it, I've probably tried it. I even grew that awful mushroom tea in my closet for a very short period of time. I have more energy today than I did twenty years ago, thanks to all the potions and power shakes.
I kicked up my heels with the O.K. City Chorus of Sweet Adelines for seven years. My passion for writing rekindled in the Sweet Adeline years, scripting a series of comical shows. On the golden day in 2000 my husband fired me as his secretary (but not his wife), my freedom to pursue writing began in earnest. I dove into the writing life, hammering out five manuscripts in four years. Two of those have been published by Echelon Press, Ain't Love Grand? and That Devil Moon.
Through a serendipitous chain of events, in February 2005 I began hosting my own Internet radio show at HealthyLife.net, an innovative leader in a brand new medium. Through the radio show, I've met my favorite authors, encountered fascinating artists and generally expanded my horizons. I love the creative freedom of the Definitely Dana! Show. Spreading a positive message to a negative world is a privilege and a responsibility.
The creative adventure continues and while the road may have switchbacks, like George Bailey, I've come to realize It's A Wonderful Life.
