As I was furiously writing my memoir at times it would cross my mind as to what I would do with it when I finished it. What were the next steps in birthing a book? My first editor told me not to worry about those details, just get it all on paper. I was obedient and wrote and wrote and wrote until I had reached 100,000 words and then I stopped. I had gone as far as I could.
So, it was “done”. I now had a full-blown project and it was time to go to the place where I find all the answers and next steps. I know it may sound like a mystical place, but what it really is, is a white day bed full of pillows with paisley, fake fur and brown and gold sparkles. Here is my throne where I sit in front of a large picture window in my bedroom. Looking out the window you will see Cathedral Rock. This is my temple, my altar my place where I launch everything. My dreams, my plans, my hopes all begin here.
I held the only printed version of my manuscript in my hands. I closed my eyes and went to this very efficient place called the universe. Here, everything is possible. I asked the universe to bring me the right person to help me get my story out in the world, then I waited. The universe showed me a teddy bear. My rational mind popped in and said “what the hell, you do not need a teddy bear, you need an agent. I swatted the thought away and cleared the spectrum of space to allow for whatever is was that I was about to receive. See, I have learned to trust the universe, when the universe gets my message I know it is working on it if I do not doubt. The request was in the energetic pipeline of my life and synchronicity, I had rubbed the lamp and it was now time for the Genie to appear.
Okay, I will admit that I had no version of how a New York Literary Agent and Book Designer would show up in Sedona and walk right into my life, but I “trusted the universe” to make it happen. Weeks passed and with my universal confidence still high I opened my front door and Joost walked in to my life. He had an aristocratic feel about him but I could sense a child inside desperate to burst out. He was well traveled and curious. I liked that. As I looked down at his shoes that were obviously handmade I knew he had not come to Sedona to go hiking. In fact, he was the first person I met that felt odd to be here. He was Dutch and it was as if he had stepped out of a time machine and was simply walking the world for an unintended adventure.
I watched his bushy eyebrows as he told me about his books and his life and how he spends his time creating things. I realized that he was and is a master of imagination. He had certainly peaked my imagination as he listened to me describe my memoir. Although his purpose of coming to Sedona was to meet some people about business, he left knowing that the reason for the visit was to meet me and to take my book through the next steps.
He read the book, it wasn’t ready for prime time. It needed the eyes of a seasoned editor he said. I winced, while I was realizing that I had not finished the book. After nine months of rewriting the final version it emerged. Joost in the meantime was working on capturing the essence of the story on the cover of the book. This was done brilliantly as I let go and allowed it to happen.
So, by letting go of the outcome a brilliant editor appeared, then a well-connected publicist, a social marketing genius and a stylist. All of them arrived at just the perfect time because I was willing to trust beyond the ordinary way of doing things. If you are reading this article, welcome to my world, I guess I created you too.
Almost six months after meeting Joost, I remembered the teddy bear that the universe showed me. I quickly googled joost teddy bear and there it was, the book Teddy’s World that Joost had co-authored. I then read his quote about the book, “A powerful icon, the teddy bear is a magical object indeed”.
