Follow Your Bliss

Follow Your Bliss
By John R. Greenwood

If you've been following my 'Search For A Sign From Clem,' you will understand this post a little better. Yesterday I posted a sign with Clem's classic signature. It was the most exciting discovery of this roller coaster journey to date. I have tried to explain the personal attachment to this story and why it drives me so. With every step I take another piece of the puzzle emerges. I just received an email from California. It provided one more chapter to this story. I will share more in the days ahead but for now I want to explain the photo of the card above. I purchased this card almost a year and a half ago at a bookstore where my writing mentor John Katz was doing a book signing. This was weeks before we met formally and months before I became a member of his Hubbard Hall Writing Project. After enjoying his book reading, I waited in line to have him sign a copy for me. I introduced myself and told him I had been following his work. I told I was beginning to write some memoirs and I was inspired by his life's journey as much as by his books. I asked him shyly if he would sign this card. He was very gracious and said of course he would. What you see below is what he wrote, "Follow Your Bliss." 

As I read the Joseph Campbell quote I felt as though I had just grabbed an electric fence. A charge ran through my body like something from a Spielberg movie. I looked him in the eye and thanked him for his generosity and headed for my car. I have not been the same since. I have written almost every day since that meeting. I have met dozens of inspiring and supportive people. My blog seems to have a dedicated following. I can't wait to post a story, photograph or poem. I am on a constant search for more. I am following my bliss off. Thank you Neale Donald Walsch, Jon Katz and Joseph Campbell, you guys share good advice. I'm not sure what I would have done without it. 

Oh, one more thing. You know that email I mentioned above. The one I received from California. It was from a former Saratogian. One who knew Clem well. One who promises to share some photos, stories, and maybe a letter or two. One very gracious and busy lady who just happens to be in the middle of writing class. A class called Joseph Campbell: "Myth and Spirit." 

 See you soon...