I remember my days in elementary school—sitting in class, daydreaming incessantly. In the middle of the teacher’s lesson, a giant robot would suddenly crash through the wall and start attacking my classmates. Everyone would be screaming in panic, but I’d hurl a chair in order to get the robot’s attention. Then the robot and I would have a fierce battle and, somehow, I’d rip its cables out, defeating it.
Most children have great imaginations; the ability to easily transport themselves to a world where nothing is impossible. They laugh, play and live without a care. Their innocence is beautiful. Unfortunately, as we age, the realities of life tend to strip away the world we created. The real world tells us that the word impossible is more than a word—for many of us, impossible is a culture. Impossibility is a culture of negativity that impedes the progress of all that you try to accomplish. If it doesn’t impede you, then it simply redirects, alters and keeps you off course. Before you know it, your imagination dies and with it, your drive as well. We’ve been brainwashed for years to believe that certain things aren’t achievable.
I know this because I am the offspring of the culture of impossibility. Like many of my fellow black men, I was raised in an impoverished single parent home and, while education was stressed, survival was paramount. And while it’s easy to make that an excuse to not do better, for many of us the issue is about not knowing what better is. I graduated high school knowing that college was next—not because I wanted better for myself or my future, but because it was simply the thing to do. What else could I do?
Honestly, I didn’t even know the difference between SUNYs, CUNYs and private colleges.
I just filled out about five applications and went with the closest one. I couldn’t leave my mom to fend for herself. Having absolutely no clue what I wanted to study or what I should pursue, I did what was practical and what I thought would make me some money: business. Granted, in high school I had great grades in English and wrote short stories in my spare time, but how could I make a career out of that? My advisor threw me into a bunch of classes so I could accumulate enough credits (and debt) for graduation, then they sent me on my way with a bachelor’s degree.Years later, I found myself administering CPR and drugs to a patient in cardiac arrest. They didn’t teach me this in college but paramedic school did. Here I was saving lives while my degree collected dust. I didn’t even frame it. While my job allowed me to earn a decent living, I was dying inside because it wasn’t my dream.
One day, while in my ambulance, I thought about the giant robot from elementary school. I missed the passion of my imagination. In that moment, I realized then that the robot was real. I’d been fighting him my whole life. And the worst part is he was winning. He came in the form of lack of guidance by our school system, poor academic advisement in higher education, poverty, broken homes and, most of all, lack of confidence and self-accountability. I asked myself, ‘What do you want to do?’ Live and dream, or live your dreams? I chose to live my dream. I began writing again.
Every day—in between patients during my 16-hour shifts and any time I had the chance—I hammered out some words. Now, an ambulance isn’t exactly a standard office environment, but
being outdoors and absorbing the sights and sounds provided the perfect writing atmosphere. I never carried a laptop to work so all I had was my trusty phone. An app called Evernote (which I’ll probably buy stock in if it ever goes public) served as my main writing tool, apart from my mind. After about a year, I found a writing mentor who explained to me that writing is the combination of art and science. I had the art down; my ideas were brilliant. But after a year of writing, I discovered I had absolutely zero science. My grammar needed an overhaul, the pace and structure of my writing needed major work. Another year of double shifts, another year of writing. Was I discouraged? Not even a little bit. I refused to be denied. I joined a writer’s group, sharpened my skills, and honed my craft. The worst part about getting better at something is realizing how far you have left to go. The business side of writing proved to be its most difficult aspect.(Continued on next page)
Through the advancement of the Internet, publishing a book has gone from being one of the hardest endeavors to a fairly simple one. Now it’s publishing a successful book that is the challenge. Every writer is an entrepreneur. Whether you get your book published through an agent who went to a major publishing company or you decide to self-publish, you are your own boss. You’re the one who decides whether to try your luck with publishers or whether the hands-on approach is the best route. Either way, you control your destiny. I chose self-publishing because it allowed me greater creative freedom and better stability in the long run. I do the majority of the legwork, including marketing and promoting through websites, blogs, and web reviews.
But the return is that the majority of the profit goes directly to me. I created a blog, a journal, and I’m currently in the process of building a video blog that will capture a day-to-day account of my journey. Once my editing is complete, I’ll place my work on Amazon and continue to publish more books.Ever wonder why most people love athletes and celebrities? In my opinion, it’s not only because they’re rich and beautiful, it’s because we see in them what we once saw in ourselves. They are the personification of impossible. So here’s the not-so-secret secret—so are you! You know what separates you from any successful person? The unwavering desire to never give up. We’re simply looking at people who are following their dreams while we sit and watch. Yes, some are born with amazing physical abilities and natural talents that put them ahead of the curve, but does that take away your access to the environment they’re in? You can’t shoot, but you can learn the game and be a broadcaster, coach, or agent. Hell, be a sports attorney. Too fat to be a model? How about you become a stylist or fashionista to the stars? Can’t act? Then direct, write. Why deny yourself what you love?
I can hear the excuses forming in your mind right now as we speak. Yes, I know you’ve made mistakes and that bills have to be paid. But guess what? Bills are going to be there when you’re a success, as well. Think about how many things you’ve wasted time on. You have the ability to devote the rest of your time to achieving what you want. Make no mistake—I’m not saying we should all be celebrities and athletes. That’s bogus. I’m simply saying chase your dream. Success is accomplishing any goal
you set forth. If your goal is to sweep floors and you become a janitor, then you’ve made it in life and there’s no one that can tell you different. If your dream is to be a doctor, teacher, entrepreneur, author, activist, cop—do it. Because it’s within your reach. In my opinion, all of these things are feasible. Take a year, carve out a plan, take action.You know what? I could delve a bit deeper and say that you already are a success. Just think about where you came from and how hard you’ve worked to get where you are. If the odds were against you and you’re still standing, one might say that you have been successful.
Don’t let the culture of impossibility kill your dreams. Don’t let it kill your potential. I’m writing this for myself, not just for you. I fear failure just like you. But what I hate more than failing is that sickening feeling of not trying because of fear. I hold on to that bitter feeling because that feeling trumps the fear I feel in the moment of chasing my dream. So look around you. Look at this “real world.” Then take your fingers, rip the sky, and strip away at it until you find the world you lost as a child.
I channeled my knack for writing and my odd imagination into a fantasy novel that I’m looking to publish in the very near future. And when it’s all said and done, I’ll end up dusting off that degree after all.
Why don’t you give it a shot? After all, nothing is impossible.
Cedric Banton is a freelance writer and contributing blogger. He is also the author of the upcoming fantasy trilogy “End of the Immortal”. Click here to read more of his work.