Martine Philogene is a freelance writer and a New York City native who recently completed her first marathon and is currently woking on her first book. Tell A Friend About Us:

Catching What Was Missed

"H e missed his calling," was what a dean at my university said in reference to one of our students. This young man happens to be particularly talented when it comes to acting and after watching him perform in a skit our dean asked me what his major was. When I told her that he wanted to teach she spoke of him missing his calling and my thoughts immediately turned to my own life. I started thinking about my career in education and about how I have been waking up everyday, for the past several weeks, with writing on my mind. I wondered if my friends and family members look at me and think, "She missed her calling." I am starting to think they do. However, I find comfort in the fact that although I may have missed it, I can still catch it and claim it in a remarkable way.

I have never thought of myself as a spectacular writer. I think I have some natural talent for the written word but I really need to work on the craft. My heart tells me – every single day – that if I nurture this talent I have and give it my all great things will come from it and I will reach great heights. Am I scared? Of course I am. Scared is actually an understatement. I know it may take years for me to publish a book. People may read my work and not find any inspiration in it. I may face countless rejections before someone finally says, "you are exactly what our readers need," assuming I ever hear those words. But all these thoughts are fear at its best. These are the thoughts that paralyze us and prevent us from pursuing those things in life that come naturally to us -- our calling.

The thing that I have come to realize in life is that rejection is inevitable. It's impossible to be accepted by everyone all the time. If anyone thinks that they are it is unfortunate because it means they aren't in touch with reality. But we need to know that the rejection we all face is much needed because it's a test of our character. When you are rejected do you dust off the pain knowing that brighter days lie ahead or do you give up everything you wanted because your self-doubt has taken over? The answer to that question defines who we are and what our lives will be.

Looking back I probably would have made some different decisions in my life. I would have chosen a different career path and I would have written something – anything – every single day of my life. But I can't change anything and I have to make peace with where I landed knowing that the path I traveled to get to this place will make me a better daughter, a better sister, a better partner, a better friend --- a better writer.

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