"I'm going to build a tiny house".  This is me.  Saying it out loud.  As a commitment to the Universe.  

My mother thinks I've lost my marbles.  She probably isn't alone.  But when you know something in your bones, you know it.  I've been lucky enough in my life to pay attention to my "lightening strike" moments.  Like when I was sitting at my first house concert as a member of the audience and heard the call to become a songwriter.  Less than 6 months later, I was leaving a bad marriage and beginning a career as a singer-songwriter.  My mom thought I was crazy then too.  But I saw the light under each closed door that slowly but surely cracked open for me as I said my intention out loud.  

William H. Murray said,

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”

Once you've experienced the magic of creating your own life, it's hard to live any other way.  Even if nothing you do seems to make sense to anyone but you.  But it all starts with a commitment to change.  

I heard the call to become a songwriter.  I committed to the call.  I became a songwriter.  

I heard the call to move to Asheville.  I didn't have a job.  I didn't have a place to live.  I didn't have the money to make it happen. But I committed to the call, and I moved to Asheville.  A dear friend invited me to house sit for a few months.  While I was living in her house, I found a job.  I found a place to live.  The Universe provided. 

And now I hear the call again.  This time, to go tiny.  To build my own house.  To look toward my future.  And I'm committed. 

Why tiny?   As my last little bird prepares to leave the nest for college, I'm left staring a nest that is too big for me.  Too expensive for me to maintain on my own.  And too limiting for the life that I want to live.  I want to go back to touring.  The only way I can afford to do that is to not be tied down to an expensive rent or mortgage.  To decrease my footprint.  To have the ability to be mobile.  But I'm a bird that likes her nest.  And I need a nest to call my own.  One that belongs to me, instead of a landlord.  Going tiny provides me with the perfect solution. 

My current commitment is this:

*To begin the downsizing process over the next 8 months so when I leave my current house in June, I will only take with me what I plan to put in my tiny house.  

This blog is where I'll document this journey.  Where I'll look for light under each door until the right doors begin to open.  

They're ALREADY opening.  I put out the call to find an architect.  An architect appeared.  Now blueprints are being drawn in exchange for a gig. 

One of my dearest friends died in a tragic accident a few years ago.  Her son now lives in New Orleans and builds houses.  He is currently building his own house.  When he finishes his house, his plan is to build tiny houses.  We recently reconnected on Facebook, and tiny houses came up in conversation.  My house is now scheduled to be the first one he builds. 

Another friend extended the offer for me to house sit next year rent free and put every penny of my teacher salary toward building my house.  In 12 months, I will have the ability to save enough money to cover the ENTIRE COST.  I will be able to live rent free.  I will be able to tour without having to worry how I'm going to pay a mortgage.  And when I want to move, I can take my house with me!  

"...the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way..."

You can't determine what your dreams are supposed to be anymore than you can control who you fall in love with.  But you do have a choice whether to bury them or to follow them.  I choose to follow.  I choose to commit.  I choose the magic.  

There's room for YOU to dream too.  I invite you to come along!