My Life In France is a memoir, and more -- it's a guidebook for living in the direction of one's calling and passion. And I'm taking notes. Here's my list so far:

>Allow your hunger to guide you.

>Stick to your vision. There is something in it for you even if others don’t understand or accept the outcome. (To be accepted by others may not be the point.)

>Work hard; be serious about your passion, but enjoy it, too.

>Be open to possibility. But don’t compromise.

>Time and patience are required to create something really excellent and worth putting out into the world.

>Look for friends, collaborators, mentors and partners along the way. You can't do it yourself.

(image via here.)