Up the Long Hill

Little Frog Publishing opened its virtual doors this month, and that was a joyful day for my wife Rennie and me. Yet the day we opened for business was not the first day of work for us. On the contrary, our planning started nearly a year ago when the business was nothing more than an expressed desire. We dreamed first, but then we chose to pursue that dream, and pursuing a dream always means work.

During the months since that decision, we have both worked some long hours. I worked full-time at another job, so I could spare only the crumbs of my time in the evenings and on Sundays. Rennie did not work outside our home, so she spent hours each day researching the publishing industry and issues as diverse as obtaining a business license, registering for sales tax, selecting an accountant, and choosing a website host. We also spoke often about how we would divide responsibilities between us, and how much money would be required to start a publishing company.

At times we were a little overwhelmed, or surprised, or confused–and sometimes, just plain frustrated. There was so much to do, and the work never seemed to end. Even worse, the day we would open for business still seemed to be enshrouded in the mists of an unreachable future. Yet we pushed on, because the desire grew stronger as we invested ourselves into our hopes. I find that paradox intriguing. As our path became more difficult, and as we struggled with greater determination to push forward, our desire grew stronger.

It’s the same way in life. When we work hard for the prize, we tend to cherish it more. Rennie and I have worked hard to start this business, investing our energy and our time and our lives into this dream. We will continue to invest ourselves, and our desire will grow stronger still.

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