The Weight of a Dream
There's something peculiar about watching a dream become reality – especially when it's one you can actually touch, hold, and share with others.
Today marks a milestone I never quite imagined writing about. Not because I didn't believe it possible, but because becoming an author wasn't the destination I set out to reach. It was something that emerged organically from a deeper journey – one that began with learning the power of the pause.
I've found myself reflecting on the nature of expectations, particularly today. We're taught to mark our achievements with celebration, to shine spotlights on our successes. Yet here I am, somewhat amused by the unfamiliarity of it all. Marketing myself kinda feels like wearing my shoes on the wrong feet – technically possible, but not quite natural. While I enjoy the occasional moment in the spotlight, it feels different now that my work depends on it.
But what strikes me most is how this story has resonated far beyond my expectations. People I haven't spoken to in years have reached out, sharing how the concept of "pausing to move forward" has touched something within them. They speak of time – or rather, the lack of it – that has kept them from considering their own need to pause.
I've come to see that pausing is like a comma in a sentence – it gives you a moment to breathe, to catch yourself, to reflect before moving forward. A colleague built on this idea, telling me something that stuck: "If you don't put the comma in your sentence, someone else will do it for you – and you might not like where they place it." Whether it's a health setback, a career shift, or family challenges, life has its way of forcing us to breathe. The sun will rise, night will fall, and the world will keep turning. Sometimes, we just need to remember to breathe with it.
The funny thing is, after seven months of breathing and reflecting during our world journey, I was ready to jump right back into my old life. I thought I'd checked all the boxes: family time, self-discovery, reflection. I figured a couple of blog posts would get this story out of my system. But life had other plans. When my old job wasn't there waiting for me, instead of really listening to what I wanted, I immediately started hunting for the next similar role. The universe has a way of saying, "Try again. You're not quite there yet."
Writing this book has been pure joy, probably because it's real – it's our story, our experience around the world. It let me revisit those moments, feel them again, and really understand what I wanted to do differently. It made me question the path I thought I was supposed to take – you know, the one that seems pre-written for a middle-aged guy like me at this point in his career.
But I've learned something important: I don't want to aim for average, or even slightly above average, just because that's what's expected. I'm running my own race now. Sure, I'll need water breaks, I'll need to catch my breath and pause, but these are my miles to cover – my own personal best to beat.
So today, as the first person in my family to become a published author, I'm not celebrating because a dream came true – I'm celebrating because I saw something through to the end. For someone like me who's pretty good at coming up with excuses, that's a win in itself. Moving forward, you'll see me out there, sharing our story on stages, talking about how to harness the power of pausing and take the sting out of failure. Sometimes it feels surreal, but I've never had more fun.
Our journey, captured in my "Around the World in Family Days," isn't just about travel – it's about discovering what's possible when we give ourselves permission to pause. If something inside you is whispering that maybe it's time to take a breath and reconsider your path, our story might help light the way.
Get the book: https://www.charlesachampong.com/thebook
