This is my theme song today:

Thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up, at 10 I wanted to be a mom. Little did I know then that I would be, but with a twist: dogs instead of people.

I also wanted to be a performer, like Barbara Streisand, Lucille Ball, and Carol Burnett. Who cares about “pretty,” but oh to be talented and funny!

But the real big dream, the one that has never left: I wanted to be a writer. It is still the simple, grand, silly thing I want to be. I first got the idea in the 2nd grade when I realized that the books I loved so much were written by people, whose JOB it was to WRITE BOOKS. That was a real job! I could grow up and be a writer!

It’s all I’ve ever wanted. At times, it’s seemed too grand or silly to ever wish for, but never a simple thing. 37 years of wishing for a thing–at some point you have to let your self try.

And then in my mailbox this morning, this quote:

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. – Marianne Williamson

• How will you shine your light today?