The Invoices Keep Coming

Busted lip, tired eyes, fake smile

In September of 2025, I launched my labor of love, my confessional, my secrets, my whole life up until the moment I sent back my final revision...My book, Break at the Bend.

In 24 hours I became an Amazon best seller. I knew who bought the book and brought me to that status. I see you. Because you have seen me in all those chapters too. My friends and family, who watched and listened to me talk about this book for years.

And then I got my first royalty check if you will. Because of you, I got some money back into the book that I put so much money, sweat and so many tears in. I didn't write it for money, but it is nice to get a little bit of a return to help me recover some of that financial investment.

And then, I got an invoice for storage. No book sold in December. That's okay, I thought. I didn't market it, I lived my present life and was joyous. And then, I got an invoice for storage in January. No book sold then either. That's okay, I thought, I've been focused on other areas. I'm guessing you can assume what February has brought as well, or at least I can, even though I haven't seen the invoice yet.

I started thinking about how invoices can come in so many forms, reminders of what we owe for neglect.

The invoice from my book storage provider is not a monthly reminder that I haven't been focused on marketing my book, but rather a reminder that I completed something I worked so hard and long for and now want to pass the work on to someone else.

The scar invoice I now have on my bottom lip is a reminder not that my dog ran full speed into me with her head, but that I wasn't focused on everything around me and but within me. I wasn't seeing who loved me, I was seeing what I still had to do.

The back brace I am wearing right now is the invoice I have to pay because I stopped caring about holding in my core when I exercised.

The bags under my eyes is the invoice I must pay not because of poor sleep, but because I have carried the burdens and worry quietly.

So this is me, paying some invoices and hoping you don't receive them too.

Tell your friends about my book, I have 1200 copies I purchased and I would love nothing more than to run out and have a reason to record an audiobook version. If you read it, review it. Even if you didn't love it.

Look around you, notice who is running towards you because they love you. Don't miss them because you are focused on what's next not on what's now.

Protect your core...it is the only thing keeping you upright. It keeps you on solid ground. It holds you up when you want to break down.

Don't carry the burdens alone. Don't worry without support. Don't speak up about what you need. Share what would make you sit up.

If you don't do these things...the invoices will start coming in and likely faster than you know how to pay them or which to pay first.