Having a weird thing happen where we’re losing phone service inside our home. Our WiFi connection still works with our phones but making it receiving texts or calls? The experience is producing some odd sensations, many frustrating, others not so much.
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.
I love where I live. I am grateful that my bride and I have moved here. This is a wonderful, welcoming community that has been very good to both of us.
I have two good friends who I do not speak to as often as I wish I could or even as often as I should. My family often has events that I have to decline the invitations to. Our home is wonderful, I wouldn’t give it up, but there is a much greater effort to share oneself with people over distance.
My parents made a trip down from Houston today just to join my bride and I for breakfast on Memorial Day. It was kind and generous and inspiring. They made an effort. They sacrificed time and space to join us today. How amazing is that? I must try harder to do the same.
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.
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.
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
I don’t want to get out of bed today. It’s so comfortable and I’m fighting a serious case of the sleepies. Time to push forward and deny their siren call.
Wrote this yesterday at a wonderful little place on the beach called The Tipsy Turtle. Wonderful food and ambiance, plus the ocean is right there. My new schedule is agreeing with me and is helping me to slow down and focus on some of the more important things, such as the many ways my life has been blessed.
Roman soldiers used to be paid in salt. The Bible refers to Christians as “the salt of the earth.” There is a definite luxury to the mineral and a history of worth.
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?
With the storm that came in last night, a lot of people around here, myself included, are thinking back to Hurricane Harvey. Storms break. We don’t.
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.
The Everyday Poet 