T.A. Barron's Blog, page 16

The very first time I hold a new book that I’ve written, I gently give it a loving hug… just as if it were a newborn baby.

And maybe, in a way, it is. For giving a new book to the world is the closest thing to delivering life that I will ever be able to do! (Though I’ve been lucky enough to watch all of our children born and to witness their first breaths…I was still just a cheering onlooker while my wife Currie did all the hard work.)

The metaphor goes even further. I’ve often thought that bringing a new story into the world is a lot like bringing a new child into the world. Of course, a real child is much more special and miraculous than a book-child. And a real child is also more huggable and full of surprises. Even so…the metaphor still applies.

As parents, a big part of our job is to pay close attention to the young person in our midst, so we can develop an authentic sense of who he or she really is—and help that person become his or her best self. That requires more listening than talking, more appreciating than guiding (though all those are important).

That’s not so different from crafting a story. I’ve learned that an outline is often helpful, giving me a logical sense of direction and a feeling for the arcs of the main characters. But once I’ve started writing, the balance shifts from the logical to the dreamlike, from the rational to the metaphorical. By then, listening to my developing story becomes more important than following my pre-conceived outline.

I start to ask my characters lots of questions—about their lives, their fears, their aspirations, and finally…their secrets. So with every new draft, I know them better and better. Since I always rewrite stories seven or eight times, by the end of the process, we know each other very well indeed. Serious jesters and unlikely heroes, complex evildoers and surprising friends — they are all my familiars.

So is the landscape of the imaginary world, which is truly another form of character. Places—to feel truly authentic—must reveal moods as well as mysteries, secrets as well as surprises. Like any human character, places are more complex and subtle than they may seem.

That’s why, when I hold that new book for the first time…it really feels like a living being, something both wondrous and unique. Something whose first emergence I was lucky enough to witness. Something that’s ready to enter the world and begin its own life journey.

This entry originally appeared on The Huffington Post.

Long after Thanksgiving is over, two things endure – the feeling that I couldn’t possibly eat another piece of turkey… and, more importantly, a deep sense of gratitude.

It will come as no surprise, then, to learn that I recently picked up a book called GRATITUDE by Oliver Sacks. It’s a quartet of essays that he wrote in the last two years of his life. Despite his struggles battling cancer, he chose to highlight his immense gratitude — something he felt not only through that ordeal, but through his entire life.

Here’s what he says about the gifts of old age:

One has had a long experience of life, not only one’s own life, but others’ too. One has seen triumphs and tragedies, booms and busts, revolutions and wars, great achievements and deep ambiguities… One is more conscious of transience and, perhaps, of beauty.

And he concludes:

I do not think of old age as an ever-grimmer time that one must somehow endure and make the best of, but as a time…freed from the urgencies of earlier days, free to explore whatever I wish, and to bind the thoughts and feelings of a lifetime together.

As you gather with loved ones this holiday season, I invite you to allow gratitude to fill your spirit and lead you into the New Year. How? Let Merlin guide you.

While Merlin is beloved around the world as a legendary wizard, the Merlin I’ve written many books about is also a real human being. He has struggles, sorrows, joys, and aspirations – and, hidden deep within him, a remarkable gift. In that way, Merlin is no different from all of us: he is burdened by the human experience, while at the very same time exalted by it.

All of us have hidden struggles – and hidden potential. And all of us, like the great wizard Merlin, have something special within us. No matter how many obstacles we face, we still have the ability to reach for the stars. We can strive, create, love, hope, sing, be kind, and work to build a better world.

Recently, I wrote a book about Merlin’s seven most magical words, THE WISDOM OF MERLIN: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life. I purposely chose Gratitude to be the first of those words. Here’s a passage that explains why:

Gratitude is a good place to begin to make a meaningful life. To be wholly alive is to be grateful—for every breath we take, every song we sing, every person we love, every day we discover.

All we have—truly all we have—is our time and our souls. Even if you live as long as a wizard, that time is really very brief. It’s never long enough to do all you can do and be all you can be.

Each day, take a moment to love a person, a place, or an idea that touched your heart. Cherish those blessings through all the seasons of a year—and all the seasons of your life.

My favorite place to feel grateful is in nature—under a starry sky in Colorado wilderness, by the vast ocean at the Great Barrier Reef, or in a grove of towering redwoods in California.

Here’s the miracle of such places: With nature’s wonders all around, I feel both very small and very large at once—diminished and humbled by my own insignificance, while also enlarged and inspired by the vast sweep of creation. And both you and I belong to that creation! For we are all made from miracles, no less than the stars themselves.

One of humanity’s great challenges is to embrace nature without suffocating it—to treat our natural home with appreciation, not exploitation. We have been given the garden planet of the universe—and we can either nurture or devour it, protect or destroy it.

Fortunately, we have one great advantage in facing any challenges: ourselves. We can accomplish anything if we truly devote ourselves to the task.

And that, my friend, is worthy of our gratitude.

This blog entry was originally published on The Huffington Post.

As I wrote about in my last blog entry, I’ve been dashing around the country this autumn in celebration of the release of the third and final book of my Atlantis Saga. Last weekend, after an amazing Thanksgiving with family and friends, I joined readers and friends at two local bookstores to wrap up the tour with some appearances close to home. After more than 20 years I’m no stranger to book junkets, but this tour had its own special magic — the thrill of a new book being released, the joy of seeing readers and fans old and new, and the comfort and warm welcome I felt as I visited with so many of you across the country in celebration of the release of Atlantis Lost.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to hear me speak, to have a book signed, and to chat with me not only about the magical world of Atlantis, but also about the fantastical universes of my other books. I received such an incredibly warm welcome at every stop — both at schools and in bookstores — it truly warmed my heart.

This time around, my schedule was long, and sometimes exhausting (plenty of 6:00 am flights!) but each time I arrived in a new city and had a chance to see and speak to all of you, it gave me such energy I felt like I could have run a marathon!

It was especially lovely to see all my friends at some of the schools and independent bookstores across the US who have continued to champion my books through the years. To an author, these people — like readers — are really invaluable, because they are how my stories reach audiences who may not have heard of them yet. I owe a tremendous debt to them, and give thanks every day for their dedication and reader advocacy.

When I wrapped up the tour this weekend back in my Colorado hometown, I saw some familiar faces — the fan in this photo has attended every single one of my events at the Tattered Cover bookstore here in Boulder!

The wrap up of my Atlantis Lost tour marks end of a long road and a lot of hard work. But what a joy it has been to have been a part of it!

I’m more than halfway through the book tour for Atlantis Lost – and what an adventure it has been! I’ve been to 6 cities in 5 states and have been thrilled to meet so many of you and sign your books. And I’ve had some fun experiences along the way, too: I did a Writers’ Workshop at the Book Stall in Winnetka, IL, and I went Live on Facebook for the very first time from that event as well as from the event the following day at Anderson’s in Naperville. If you want to check out those two videos, you can find them on my Facebook page or follow these links: Winnetka Event or Naperville Event.

Hugging a big stack of my books before the event at Joseph Beth Booksellers.

The sign announcing my event at The Book Stall.

I still have a handful of events to go, and I would love to see you! Meeting you, my readers, helps to keep me going while I’m on the road and away from my family.

Here are a few highlights from the tour so far:

In many of the cities I visit, I also get to make a stop at a local school. I love the chance to meet students and see what’s happening in schools across the country.

Presenting at a school in Portola Valley, CA.

With some of the students from the school in Portola Valley, CA.

With students from a school in Redwood Shores, CA.

And here I am presenting at a school in Illinois, near Chicago.

And, of course, I really enjoy my bookstore events. I usually do a short presentation and then sign books. I’ll sign any of my books, whether it’s a new edition or old!

My first book signing was at the Reading Bug in California. Here I am with a fan who grew up reading the Merlin Saga.

Then it was on to Bozeman, MT, where I met fans, young and old, at the Country Bookshelf.

I love when entire families come out to my events, like this one at the Country Bookshelf.

After the Writers’ Workshop at The Book Stall, I signed a few books.

I had a second stop at an IL bookstore the next day, Anderson’s in Naperville.

Tina brought some original editions of the Merlin books for me to sign at Anderson’s.

At Blue Manatee in Cincinnati, I met a fan and a future fan!

And another reader who will be diving into the Atlantis Saga.

Twice on this tour I’ve been surprised by 2016 Barron Prize winners!

Here I am with 2016 winner Raghav at The Reading Bug in CA.

And at Joseph Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY, I saw 2016 winner Rachel and her family.

I hope you’ll join me at one of the remaining stops on my tour:

Best of Books

November 14 @ 6:00pm

Kickingbird Square

1313 E Danforth Rd,

Edmond, OK


Octavia Books

November 15 @ 4:00pm

513 Octavia Street

New Orleans, LA


Lemuria Bookstore

November 16 @ 4:30pm

202 Banner Hall

4465 I-55 N

Jackson, MS

And a few in Colorado later in November:

Boulder Bookstore

November 26 @ 11:00am

1107 Pearl St

Boulder, CO


Tattered Cover Book Store

November 26 @ 2:00pm

7301 S. Santa Fe Drive

Littleton, CO

I’m very happy to share that the third book in my Atlantis Saga, Atlantis Lost, is coming to bookstores everywhere on November 8th. In honor of this final installment in the tale of the mysterious, magical island, I’ll be visiting independent bookstores across the United States to do readings, signings, and of course — my favorite part of any book tour — to meet all of you!

Below is the list of places where I’ll be appearing next month — I sincerely hope that if you’re in or near one of the areas I’m visiting that you’ll make time to stop by one of my appearances. What a pleasure it will be to see you — I’m looking forward to it already!

The Reading Bug

November 8 @ 4:00pm

785 Laurel St

San Carlos, CA


Country Bookshelf

November 9 @ 7:00pm

28 W. Main Street

Bozeman, MT


Special Writers Workshop, sponsored by The Book Stall

November 10

Chicago, IL

(stay tuned for more info on this event!)


Anderson’s Bookshop

November 11 @ 7:00pm

123 W. Jefferson Ave.

Naperville, IL


Blue Manatee

November 12 @ 12:00pm

3054 Madison Rd

Cincinnati, OH




Joseph-Beth Book

November 13 @ 2:00pm

161 Lexington Green Circle

Lexington, KY


Best of Books

November 14 @ 6:00pm

Kickingbird Square

1313 E Danforth Rd, Edmond, OK 73034


Octavia Books

November 15 @ 4:00pm

513 Octavia Street

New Orleans, LA


Lemuria Bookstore

November 16 @ 4:30pm

202 Banner Hall

4465 I-55 N

Jackson, MS

Seasons are a revolving gift—continually different from what has gone before and what will come after. They are the ultimate change makers, with varied weather, foods, holidays, flora, fauna, and activities for us all. Plus a special seasonal magic.

In autumn, now upon us, nature transforms the landscape with a spectacular array of colors, bringing a poignant end to summer. But even as the leaves of trees and plants lose their colors and tumble to the ground…they are making it possible for other seasons to follow. That’s why autumn always makes me feel that anything and everything is possible—every bit as much as spring, the season of renewal and hope.

And if that’s not pure magic—what is?

Nature and young people are my most powerful sources of inspiration. Both share that wondrous ability to transform—both as individuals and as forces affecting the wider world. When I’m hiking on the Mesa Trail above Chatauqua or traversing the western slope of Colorado, I’ve found that nature is a wonderful friend, brilliant teacher, powerful healer and true inspiration. And young people, to my delight, can play all those roles, as well.

Young people combine the energy and idealism of childhood with the realistic awareness of adulthood. (Believe me, I know about their endless energy—having five busy kids!) What’s more, young people want the truth and nothing but the truth. They are honest enough to ask life’s toughest questions. And they still have the courage to hope. To them, literally anything is possible.

That spirit is perfectly captured by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a prize celebrating outstanding young leaders who have made a significant, positive impact on people, their communities, and our planet. Named after my mother, a devoted teacher, the Barron Prize was founded because every one of us, but especially young people, deserve to hear about real kids who radiate courage, compassion and perseverance. Kids who have made a positive difference to the world. Kids who have discovered that they have the power to act on their ideals. Kids like some of this year’s recently announced Barron Prize winners:

Hannah began her work two years ago after learning that her 9-year-old Ethiopian pen pal, Ruth, was living without a reliable source of electricity. Determined to help, Hannah invented a device that converts the kinetic energy of ocean tides or any moving body of water into usable electricity. She dubbed her invention BEACON — Bringing Electricity Access to Countries through Ocean eNergy. Hannah envisions BEACON being used in developing countries to power desalination pumps (for fresh water), run centrifuges (to test blood), and power electric buoys (for maritime navigation).
After seeing children with disabilities sitting on the playground sidelines watching other kids play, 12-year-old Rachel thought to herself, “This isn’t fair! Someone should do something about it!” and immediately decided she would be that someone. A week later, she presented her idea for a fully accessible playground to her City Council and easily won their support, including the pledge of space in a city park. She has worked tirelessly for two years to raise more than85,000 to build a handicapped accessible playground in her community to benefit children, as well as wounded warriors and their families living in nearby Fort Knox.
Raghav invented SmartWalk, a 21st century version of the white cane used by the visually impaired that includes electronic “eyes” to better help the blind navigate obstacles. His clip-on electronic attachment – housed in a box about the size of two decks of cards — allows users to sense objects well beyond the usual reach of the white cane. As people sweep SmartWalk back and forth, the cane vibrates to warn them of knee-high objects as far as 10 feet ahead. The intensity of the vibration indicates the distance of the obstacle, and the vibrations stop once the path is clear. Raghav worked for months with his local blind center to test his invention. He used funds from a small grant to make multiples copies of the device and donated them to the blind center. In addition, he published the design, making it easy for other non-profits to produce and distribute the device to those in need.

These young heroes give us an idea of our own potential to make a positive difference. On the trail we walk called Life…they show us just how far we can go and how high we can climb. How do they do that? Partly because their actions directly touch other people and make the world a better place. And partly because their examples have great power to inspire others.

Each of these remarkable young people is doing something to help our world. And each of them—I promise—will renew your hope, just as they do mine every year. They are as inspiring as the seasons—and just as magical.

This blog entry was originally published on The Huffington Post.

We need heroes today more than ever — not celebrities, but real heroes. And while we tend to hear a lot about entertainers, athletes, and media moguls in the headlines, the world often seems to ignore the extraordinary work done every day by people just like you and me. These are the people not out for fame, but folks who see a need within their community and are driven to make a positive change. The Barron Prize is about celebrating some of those real heroes in our communities:  young people with deeply valuable inner qualities such as compassion, perseverance, and humility, whose work to improve their communities can inspire others.

It was because I was so inspired by the extraordinary and hard-working young people doing great things for others that I established the Barron Prize back in 2001. Each year, the prize honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment.  And so, it is my honor announce the truly inspiring winners of the 2016 Barron Prize:

Allison, age 18, of California, who founded Purses for Primates, a non-profit that has raised over $27,000 to protect orangutans and their shrinking habitat.

Anurudh, age 16, of Maryland, who invented the VAXXWAGON, a wheel-powered cooling system that keeps vaccines viable during the final stages of transport to remote locations.

Delaney, age 16, of Florida, who founded The Sink or Swim Project to educate people about global warming and sea level rise. She has made presentations to nearly 10,000 people and has authored three children’s books about climate change.

Hannah, age 15, of Florida, who invented a device that converts the kinetic energy of ocean tides or any moving body of water into usable electricity. Her inexpensive BEACON device is designed to help people in developing countries.

Martin, age 16, of New York, who created Save the Seals, a campaign to raise awareness about the plight of harp seal pups and the Arctic ecosystem as a whole. He has raised nearly $17,000 for his cause by selling seal-themed crafts.

Maya, age 17, of Ontario, who created 440PPM, a documentary film that tells the story of her expedition to the Arctic where she witnessed climate change first hand.

Meghana, age 17, of California, who founded Limbs with Love, a non-profit that creates and provides 3D-printed prosthetic hands free-of-charge to children in need all over the world.

Pooja, age 18, of California, who created For a Change, Defend, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating gender violence and empowering young girls and women. Trained in Taekwondo and street fighting, she has developed a self-defense curriculum and has used it to train over 800 women and girls in the slums and rural villages of India.

Rachel, age 12, of Kentucky, who has worked tirelessly for more than two years to raise $85,000 of the $100,000 needed to build a handicapped accessible playground in her community to benefit children and wounded veterans.

Raghav, age 14, of California, who invented SmartWalk, a 21-century version of the white cane used by the visually impaired that includes electronic “eyes” to better help the blind navigate obstacles.

Riley, age 15, of California, who created Rainbow Pack, a non-profit that has gifted over 9,500 new backpacks filled with school supplies to Los Angeles elementary school students in need.

Ryan, age 17, of Connecticut, who founded TechCorps: Geeks for Good to teach students in the developing world and in impoverished areas of the U.S. how to use off-the-shelf parts to build low-cost computers for their schools.

Samantha, age 19, of Connecticut, who founded SHIFT Scoliosis, a non-profit committed to eliminating the late diagnosis of scoliosis. She and her team have screened over 4,000 underserved children and have taught over 10,000 adults about the signs of the disease.

Story, age 17, of Washington, who created Kids4Wolves to educate young people about wolves and to promote coexistence between wolf advocates and those who oppose wolf recovery.

Xerxes, age 17, of New York, who led a four-year project to mitigate water contamination caused by a farm’s animal waste leaching into New York City’s public reservoir system.

One of the most exciting things about the Barron Prize is seeing young people whose projects have been honored continue to make a positive impact on our world. Some of our former winners have even chosen to help the Barron Prize in its mission to honor young heroes! Each year, our selection committee includes youth and young adults who, once upon a time, submitted their own applications, and who now offer their expertise to choose a new crop of inspiring winners and honorees. These young adults know first-hand the level of work and dedication it takes to build and maintain the extraordinary projects submitted each year, and are uniquely qualified to help continue the legacy of the Barron Prize.

Shawn Henry
2016 Selection Committee Member
2004 Barron Prize Winner

Shawn Henry, a winner from 2004, has been part of the Barron Prize selection committee since 2013, and says participating as a judge is a rewarding activity that gives him the opportunity to give back to the organization. “The selection process is inspiring to me because I get to learn about some of the amazing work that young people across the country are doing in their communities.” For Ashley Schuyler Carter, who was one of the prize’s very first winners in 2001, the request to become part of the adjudication process “seemed like a perfect way to ‘pay forward’ the gift I had received through the Barron Prize.”

This year’s crop of applicants has been especially impressive, according to these former winners. Both say they’ve noticed an increasing number of technological solutions to problems over the years, and this year was perhaps the most sophisticated yet. “These are some really smart kids who can engineer things and solve problems in an incredibly intelligent way,” says Ashley. Shawn says he’s impressed by how young some of the applicants are, especially in relation to the solutions they’re finding to their chosen issues. “I would describe 2016 as the year of making a difference with technology.”

Ashley Schuyler Carter
2016 Selection Committee Member
2001 Barron Prize Winner

With so many entries to choose from, how do these judges ultimately pick who they’d like to honor with the Barron Prize? Both Shawn and Ashley say they look for young people who are leading by example, and who are authentically driven by the desire to make a positive difference in the world. In fact, almost as important as their achievements is the passion which applicants put into their projects. “Each year, I feel as if I am even more inspired by the creativity, heart, curiosity, and ambition with which young people tackle the things they are passionate about,” says Ashley. Shawn shares Ashley’s enthusiasm for the inspiring work done by these young people in their communities. “The applicants continue to demonstrate the power of young people as agents of change”.

The winners of the 2016 Barron Prize will be announced on September 19; watch this space for more on these inspiring, outstanding young people!

Photo credit: Chiiori Alliance & Trust

At some point in your life—whether as a student, after a graduation, between jobs, or beyond—I hope you will have an opportunity to travel.  Whether you venture somewhere near or far…that travel could change your life.  And the change may come in a surprising form—even something as unlikely as a bowl of noodles.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many amazing places over the years, from exotic and remote countries around the globe to vibrant cities and wilderness areas here in the USA.  And I’ve found that whether I’m in the Himalayas, Africa, or New York City, each place I visit leaves its mark on my soul.  The sights and sounds, the wondrous scenery and vibrant colors, and the delightful people everywhere—all have become part of me forever.

A college-aged me with Takemoto-San & her mother — Japan, Summer 1975

Some years ago—41, in fact! – I had the opportunity to visit Japan.  I was a fresh-faced kid right out of college, eager to see as much of the world as possible, and hoping to spend every penny of my earnings from summer jobs on travel.  Why was Japan a high priority?  I’d been invited by a good friend, someone immersed in Japan’s ancient cultural traditions, to go to a remote village on the island of Shikoku—to work, if you can believe it, as a roof thatcher.

That’s how I found myself in the remote valley of Iya, a place where farmhouses with thatched roofs and rice paper doors covered in calligraphy dotted the steep hillsides.  Layers of rising mist and twisted red pines made the surroundings look like an ancient Japanese screen painting.  Smoke from cooking fires scented the air, and I could often hear bamboo wind chimes clinking in the breeze.

One of those farmhouses, long abandoned at the edge of a small village, was to be the site of a traditional roof thatching guided by Shinto elders–something that hadn’t been done in Japan for many years.  My destination!  I knew from the start that this would be a truly remarkable cultural experience.  What I didn’t expect, though, was how the kindness of one particular woman would transform everything.

Her name was Takemoto-San.  A small but sturdy woman in her mid-forties, she had lived her entire life in the village.  During my first week, she watched me with curiosity.  (I wasn’t hard to miss, since I was more than a foot taller than all the other people who were working on the project.  On top of that, I was the clumsiest person around – which soon earned me the nickname O Chocku Choi, meaning something like “Honorable Butterfingers”.)

Noticing that I cleaned every particle of food out of my bowl at the end of each long day, one evening Takemoto-San walked over to me and handed me an extra bowl of noodles.  When I smiled and thanked her, she smiled back and gave me a deep bow.  That’s how our friendship began.  For the rest of the summer, she watched out for me, introduced me to other villagers, sang Japanese songs, and helped me to feel at home in this place so far away from my family in Colorado.

When, at last, we finished thatching the roof, the elders spoke Shinto blessings and clapped their hands three times.  Looking from the completed roof, which gleamed in the sunlight, to the many Japanese faces around me, I felt a rush of immense gratitude.  But I also felt a growing sadness in my heart.  It would be hard to leave this beautiful place and my new friends—especially Takemoto-San.   Catching my eye, she said to me quietly, “You must come back some day.”

My happy reunion with Takemoto-San — Japan, Spring 2016

A few months ago, my life’s journey took me back to Japan, where the books of my Merlin Saga are much loved.  This was my first time back in Japan since that glorious summer of 1975.  Although I’ve never forgotten Takemoto-San, or her great kindness, we had never written or spoken since the day I left her village.  So I had no idea whether she was even alive—or, if she was, whether she still lived in the same house, let alone on the same island.  Yet I simply had to return to Shikoku to find out.  As I approached the village that I’d thought about so many times over the past four decades, I wondered whether I’d actually find her.  And if so, would she remember me?

Outside her old house was a lone woman, well into her 80s, sweeping some dirt off the stones with her handmade broom.  I walked toward her, and she looked up at me, surprised.  It was her, I was sure of it!  But I could tell that she had no idea who I was.  Drawing closer, I pulled out an old photo from 1975, showing the two of us standing together (along with her mother, who is even smaller).  She looked at the photo and then at me—and all of a sudden she realized who I was.  She burst into tears…and so did I.  What a gift to see her again!

I told her, “You said I must come back some day.  So I did.” We talked a bit—difficult, since neither of us could speak much of the other’s language.  Yet everything important we needed to say was communicated by our expressions.

When it was time to go, I gave her the old photo.  She held it tight to her chest and gave me a teary smile.  Once again, I was filled with gratitude—thankful that life had brought us together again after all those years.

I hope that your travels bring you extraordinary sights, unforgettable tastes and smells, and surprising discoveries.  And may those travels also bring you something as precious as a simple bowl of noodles from a friend.

This blog entry was originally published on The Huffington Post.

Practical Advice for Grads

I’ve always loved a good story. As a kid, I dreamed up stories and poems, sometimes to avoid doing homework, sometimes just for the fun of messing around with words. My first real story, written when I was seven or eight, was called—wait for it—Autobiography of a Big Tree.

Commencement speakers always advise graduates to follow their dreams—and you should. But I want to offer you some practical advice on how to make that journey.

The first key is to know your dream clearly. That means looking inside – asking yourself what you truly love – rather than looking outside. Remember: Dreams come from inside, not outside. They must be owned at the level of your soul. When you are clear about your dream, then set yourself on that path and start walking.

In middle school, I produced my own little magazine with the bizarre title Idiot’s Odyssey. (As you can already tell, picking titles was not my strength.) Through college and my years at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar I kept writing. And while on the Rhodes, I took a year off to travel with my backpack and journal through Asia and Africa. During that adventure, I began my first novel, and I guess you could say it got a terrific response from publishers. I sent it out to 32 of them—and got 32 rejections!

Keep Pushing Toward Your Dreams

Which is why the second key is perseverance. Setting aside my dream of being a writer, I went into business—and wound up as the president of a private equity firm in New York City. But even as busy as I was, I found myself waking up at 4 a.m. to write or scribble story ideas before going to work. Sure, I was aware that doing this on top of my day job, even after all those rejections, meant this urge to write must really be important to me. But it took me a while to work up the courage to pursue my passion full time.

What helped the most was to visualize myself at the very end of my life—when the hourglass of time had almost run out—and to ask, “Did I have any big dreams that I never pursued? Any great passions that I didn’t have the courage to go after with all my heart?” What could be worse than coming to the end of your life and knowing that you could have done more to make your dreams come true?

Well, for me, that dream was writing. Now, I had no evidence at all I could write anything that somebody else would ever want to read. But I knew I had to try. Or part of me, an important part of me, would perish. So I had the fun of shocking my business partners and investors by telling them: I quit. They all thought I was crazy. But my wife and I moved back to Colorado, where I grew up, and I started to write. That was 26 years ago—and 31 books ago. Life has been kinder to me that I could ever have imagined.

Decide What Is Important

The point is this: All we have in life is our time and our souls. So why not make the most of both?

This is your life, your soul, your dreams – the most precious things you have. It’s worth fighting to keep them wholly alive! If you stay true to them, with a bit of luck, you will succeed. And if you don’t succeed, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that at least you really tried. Whatever happens, you’ll have a marvelous journey along the way.

All of you have an amazing power—the power to make choices. What you do with your time, what you care about, how you treat others, every choice you make says something about who you are. Our choices become our footsteps on the trail of life, and our footsteps become our journey. And who knows? Maybe the trail you walk will become a hero’s trail.

Celebrities vs. Heroes

Our society often confuses celebrity with heroism. Celebrities are about fame. Heroes are something altogether different. Heroes (who can also be celebrities) are all about character – the qualities you can’t see on the surface, but are revealed by actions. Qualities like courage, perseverance, hope, and compassion. Those are the qualities of heroes – shown every day by every day people — a caring parent or a devoted teacher or a good friend. Those qualities hold our world together and give our life meaning.

The first hero of my life was my mother, Gloria Barron. She never sought fame. She simply lived the life of a teacher who cared deeply about her children and her community. For over twenty years, she worked hard to create a unique nature museum at the Colorado School for the Blind—a museum where everything can be touched. Blind kids can experience the grandeur of an eagle by touching its wide wings, just as they can feel a hummingbird’s delicate nest or a polar bear’s rich, soft fur. My mother never sought any credit for this accomplishment, and the only reward she wanted was the satisfaction of knowing that these kids could now experience some of the wonder and beauty of the natural world.

She was my inspiration for establishing the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a prize that celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people. For more than fifteen years, I have witnessed the power of what young people can do. They overcome huge obstacles to help others, or help the environment or their community or the world at large. Regardless of gender, race, culture or economic background, these individuals have shown that even the youngest among us can make a genuine, lasting impact.

You can be one of those people, too. Each of you is a force – a package of positive energy that could help the world in some way. You may not believe that. You may think it’s the craziest idea ever. But it’s deeply true.

See your life as a story – yes, a story of which you are the author. Go out and tell it with courage. Tell it with passion. And make it the very best story you can—a story that’s alive with your energy and alight with your dreams.

This entry was originally published on The Huffington Post.

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