Chapter 1: The Thrill of Earning

I recently received a total of $1.59 from my writing endeavors, and I can hardly contain my excitement!

First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude to all those who played a part in my journey to this pinnacle of achievement—one that many aspire to reach. I must also express my appreciation to the academy... Oh wait, what’s that? I haven't actually won anything? I didn’t even get an invitation… Oh dear, this is awkward.

But you know what? It’s all good. Even without any accolades, I’m genuinely thrilled. I made money from writing! It’s like being a child laughing uncontrollably in church—I simply can’t help myself! Admittedly, earning $1.59 may not exactly mark the beginning of a flourishing career, at least not yet, but I can certainly tuck it away in my "Plan B" folder for when things get tough. No matter how you look at it, this is fantastic news; I can't wait to share it with my wife. She's going to find this utterly amusing!

Well, maybe not as much as I'd hoped. When I told her, she responded with a polite "oh, that’s nice," but her expression conveyed something closer to "oh, you poor delusional fool."

That’s disappointing. Clearly, I didn’t explain it well enough. "Hold on," I said, "the $1.59 isn’t the main point; it’s just the beginning! Think about the potential if more people read my story, plus I’ll be adding more content... Can you see where this could lead?"

She replied, "Oh, okay, so you’re saying that one day, you might even hit the $2.00 mark. That’s wonderful, dear."

That wasn’t quite the reaction I envisioned. It’s easy to feel disheartened when others fail to see your vision, but I know she supports me; after all, she’s the one who suggested I update my profile picture because the last one made me look like a creep. You can’t buy that level of constructive feedback!

Perhaps I was premature in sharing my good news. I could be likened to the inventor of cheese—just think about how people must have reacted to his creation. They probably thought he was crazy with his idea of solidified spoiled milk. "That’s disgusting!" they likely exclaimed. However, once they grasped its utility, well, we all know who ended up laughing last! I just need to be patient and allow my own creation to solidify, so to speak.

So why am I so thrilled about $1.59? Am I setting my expectations too low? Am I in some alternate reality where money holds less value? I don’t believe that’s the case.

I think I may have framed it incorrectly. The focus shouldn’t be solely on the money; that’s merely a distraction. What truly excites me is the acknowledgment that someone out there might appreciate my words or the way I express them. Writing brings me joy. Yes, it can be frustrating at times, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling, much like piecing together a challenging puzzle. The $1.59 is just the icing on the cake.

So, step aside, naysayers! I may not be strutting down the red carpet just yet, but I am standing a bit taller today, and this is definitely a reason to celebrate. I don’t drink, but the first round is on me! (Well, as far as $1.59 can stretch!)

Chapter 2: Embracing the Journey

The first video titled "The Pointer Sisters - I'm So Excited" captures the essence of my joy. In this upbeat song, the group expresses exhilaration and anticipation, which mirrors my own feelings about this small yet significant milestone.

The second video, "I'm So Excited (Lyrics) - The Pointer Sisters," emphasizes the excitement of celebrating successes, no matter how small. It’s a reminder to relish every moment along the way.