Tag Archives: Persistence

Day 156: Creative’s Career

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Inspiration struck the other day when I didn’t have my notebook on me. I scribbled the beginning of this poem as fast as I could on a scrap of paper before being interrupted–life tends to do that–and then lost the paper. The feel of it stuck with me so hard though that it carried over into Day 157, which I completed late last night, and which became its own poem. Then this morning, as I sat down to do today’s poem, I found the missing scrap of paper and found myself able to complete Day 156’s poem.

It is so strange how we can get fixated upon things. I could have written another poem for Day 156, there’s no real reason I couldn’t have, yet this poem was meant to be today’s and in my mind replacing it somehow seemed to disrespect the original creation, absurd as that is. Which in and of itself is a feeling worth exploring as this poem is basically a rant at my passion and the process by which I must produce. So. Many. Ideas. And they all need to be done now now now. Not just because my muses are screaming at me, but because that is the professional creative climate in which I find myself.

I believe some re-evaluation of the best kind may be in order.

Creative’s Career

Day 148: Ants in a Rat Race

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I’ve been really caught up in work lately. My part time job, my novels, the audiobook production, trying to do everything in a day. I just about burned myself out. This weekend I took a big step back and let myself rest. I am rethinking my approach.

I have a truly blessed life. My problems are all great problems to have. I need to slow it down and enjoy my amazing present and the process.

Ants in a Rat Race

Day 143: How Do I Fly?

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It’s been one crazy week. A lot of tough learning, a lot of picking back up, and a lot of being pulled in multiple directions. It’s times like these that all we can do is pick one and go for it.

How Do I Fly?

Day 139: The Next Unsteady Step

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The hardest part for me about being a professional creative is the period of time that follows the completion of a project. The world and work doesn’t care that I’m done. I do. I’m tired. But there’s the next phase of the process. Marketing, production, making sure everything is formatted and edited just so. And, of course, there’s a thousand other projects all screaming for my attention.

Today’s work though isn’t just for myself. Some dear friends are experiencing something similar. They’ve undergone an impressive journey and are now reaching the end. They’re entering the post-conclusion crash stage. You’re not alone, my friends.

I typed this one out after running out of space on my notebook’s page. It had to happen eventually. I’ll take it as a good problem to have, just like this post conclusion crash, because it means I did it.

The Next Unsteady Step

It comes as a surprise

When a project labored over for so long

Is finished

Complete

Done

Like the Abrupt Conclusion

To Stepping Off a Cliff

Is there a Next?

So Many Nexts.

But my mind is still reeling

From the journey that

Felt like a Fall

My spirit still flattened,

Pulling Free From

The Impact Crater.

The World is Still Spinning

And screaming

Behind my Head

For the Next Step

–Take It Already!

There’s No Time For Triumph.

The World Doesn’t Care

About Your Fatigue

Dismissive of Your Disorientation.

The Challenge Has Been

Issued

So I Issue Back One of My Own

And Take That Next

Unsteady Step

Remembering–and Grateful–

That I am Not Alone

Day 134: Internal Abyss

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Had a good talk with my bride about the future last night. Thing was, even though it was good, there was an element of fear to it. I had to take a step back and remind myself verbally that this was a GOOD talk about possibilities and dreams and opportunities and growth. The element of fear didn’t come from the prospect of the future, it came from within. How many of us have held ourselves back not out of fear of the future, but because of the hungry fear inside of us?

Internal Abyss

Day 128: Wounds Call to Weapons

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Not sure what prompted these thoughts. Life seems to love kicking us when we’re down and people who have been hurt seem more susceptible to being hurt again through no fault of their own. The best we can do is simply keep on going and be kind to one another. It continues to amaze me the simple power of kindness. Let’s share it as much as possible, shall we?

Wounds Call to Weapons

Day 125: Appreciation

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I was privileged to share a wonderful day with my bride and parents at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston touring their Van Gogh exhibit. Some interesting conversations arose about the way we appreciate art. Yet what stood out to me the most with this exhibit was the recognition it gave to Vincent’s brother Theo, who supported him for years.

It is so easy to become wrapped up in the creative process, the creation itself, or even the creator, that we forget about those who support creatives in the pursuit of realizing not only their dreams but their happiness. I have been blessed with many such wonderful individuals in my own life.

To all of you, this poem is for you.

Appreciation

Day 123: How We Wither

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Heh, today is day one two three. How about that?

Been fighting a bug that likes to strike hardest when I get up in the morning, which is when I usually do my writing. It’s driving me just a little bit crazy.

How We Wither