I know it. We all know it.
You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t show up, don’t pick up the paintbrush or tie on the toe shoes or grab the baseball bat, your talent means nothing.
And you can have all the desire in the world, but if you don’t open the file, if you don’t sit down with the guitar, if you don’t dig the hole, your desire will never be more than a dream.
(“You” is me, if you were wondering.)
I have to recommit (like, daily and stuff) to showing up. I have to remind myself that even if I only write 300 words, they are 300 words that will add a (negligible) bit of story to my story. And I can celebrate when the 300 words turn into 1,000. And I will always see those people who can bust out a book in 2 weeks with a certain amount of jealousy, but when I really think about it, I have to be honest with myself: When would I ever, ever, EVER sit at a computer for 16 hours a day? I wouldn’t. That’s not me. And if that’s you, GREAT! I’m seriously proud of you. (And maybe a tiny bit jealous.) But I will teach some classes today. And I’ll laugh with some kids. And I’ll go out on a date with my husband. And I’ll eat dinner at a table. And I’ll take a walk. I’ll read a section of this great book I’m reading. I’ll answer emails. I’ll make some plans.
And I’ll write words.
It’s a piece, the writing. A piece of my life, of my work, of my world. A piece I care about and that I’m committed to. But it’s only a piece. And the other pieces matter. And the writing piece matters, too. So I’ll show up for all the parts, and I’ll make my life full. Round. Deep. The way I like it.
(6) Comments for this blog
All the parts. Oh yes. Such truth here, as always. =)
All the parts. Oh yes. Such truth here, as always. =)
I love this! We get so trapped into thinking we can’t get “enough” done, that we don’t do anything at all. Beautiful!
I love this! We get so trapped into thinking we can’t get “enough” done, that we don’t do anything at all. Beautiful!
The thing I like the most about this is that you recognize it’s a part. Because the other parts of life are the important parts–the super important parts. And while writing matters to me, and showing up is something I need to be better at, it is JUST a part of a bigger part. And I refuse to let it consume me. 🙂
The thing I like the most about this is that you recognize it’s a part. Because the other parts of life are the important parts–the super important parts. And while writing matters to me, and showing up is something I need to be better at, it is JUST a part of a bigger part. And I refuse to let it consume me. 🙂