​Go ahead and call me crazy, but if I really am going to succeed, I have to be objective about my goals for this venture.  So with that being said, I would like to present some startling numbers.  Did you know that 90% of startups fail, and that only 1 in 2 small businesses are still standing after five years (Sources: Forbes.com, Mashable, Small Business Administration)?  I place Turns of Phrase somewhere in between a startup and a small business—it has a subtle disruptive quality, and just might have more of an impact than I can envision right now.  Let’s just say that it needs room to spread its wings.
 
So essentially, the odds are against me.  And to top it off, this is all new to me.  I’ve also been told that it’s not the best idea, which I respect.  But I’ve decided to feel the fear and do it anyway.  It is scary because you don’t know if you are always going in the right direction.  But that’s where being able to admit when you don’t know something comes into play.  And then you have to still diligently seek out answers for the things you don’t know.
 
So between Google, subscribing to newsletters and investing in e-books from established freelancers, networking events, and visiting the regional branch of the Small Business Association (which happens to be located in Atlanta, and not some other city in the Southeast), I am finding my way. 
 
Okay, that’s it really.  Now onto the image, which I’m drawing this time around.
 
Talk soon.
 
*Binna*

And she drifted off to sleep.
 
“It’s never been done,” she said to Source.  “It’s impossible, turning something into gold.  It’s physically impossible.”
 
Source, a being which could only be felt and heard, but not seen, filled the room with its presence.  It was an entity from which all life evolved, the origin of all things.
 
Source replied, “You’re right, at least for that time period.  They never did turn lead into gold, a farcical fancy that had its benefits.  It did lay the foundation, but no, I speak in grander terms.  I speak in metaphor my dear.  You are Ever, the Alchemist.”
 
Ever angled her head to the side, lost in thought for a brief moment.  “So what do you mean?” she said.  “I mean, I get metaphor, duh.  But the part about me being an alchemist, you know, in grander terms,” she said, as she placed imaginary quotation marks around “grander”.  “Please explain.”
 
“Well, I think you get it.  Trust yourself.  What do you think it means?”
 
“I thought at first that it might mean that I,” she paused, “that I might be able to transform some of my experiences.  That's just my gut feeling.”
 
“Are you sure that’s not the bacteria talking?” Source opined.  “Just kidding.  Gut bacteria is the worst.” 
 
“Source, you’re not funny.”
 
“I’ve had an audience of one for quite some time now, at least a few millennia.  Don’t worry dear, I crack myself up,” Source chuckled.  “But back to you.  I think your gut is right.  Whether it’s the bacteria or not though…”
 
Ever smiled.  “So I will be able to, I mean, there is value in it all, even if I have been hurt?”
 
“Well, not for everyone.  In this world, sometimes experiences destroy the human soul.  Other times, they prove one’s mettle.  For you, I believe it will be the latter.”
 
“No, I just don’t think I’m that strong…,” her voice trailed off.
 
“Well, we shall see, dear, now won’t we?”