Love what you do.
No, I didn’t invent that line. I can’t take any credit for it, but by god, do I ever try to live by it. When I wrote my little something accompanying this picture of Winnie the Pooh yesterday I immediately continued to write this. Because it felt good.
Gosh, I love to write. I love it. Even if what I say doesn’t make sense to you or doesn’t mean anything to you, I won’t ever stop writing. There have been a handful of people encouraging me to keep going, so I take it I’m not too far off.
But from the very first blog, a year ago now, I’ve never written for anyone but myself. And no, that is neither self-centered nor narcissistic. I don’t write to indulge myself, after all. I write for the pure love of the written word, for the pure joy of writing.
Yes, I am a nerd, and a geek and proud of both. I love history, too, and won’t apologize for it.
Sometimes I think I should’ve done this a long time ago, but maybe I couldn’t have done it then. I will never know and it’s pretty pointless to moan about it or shake my head at myself. I am here now.
I mean, it’s not as if I’ve ever not written. I have written since I learned how to. And made up stories since I was ten (I still have one buried somewhere).
But putting myself out there is new.
And blogging is easy.
Whenever I read a quote about writing or inspiration or just the need to get started that hits the nail on the head I think: Yes. And punch the air. People do that sort of thing, you know. Get over it.
Let me share a few. If you have any love for writing, reading or the written word, you’ll get it. At the very least you may get me:
Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely essential. JESSAMYN WEST
People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.
Get busy doing the things you love and your destiny will find you. STEVE JOBS
Most great stories come not from things that are invented, but from perfect knowledge, close observation. JAMES SALTER
Maybe the best we can do is do what we love as best we can. GALWAY KINNELL
Try to develop steady work habits, maybe a more modest quota, but keep to it. Don’t be thin-skinned or easily discouraged because it’s an odds-long proposition; all of the arts are. Many are called, few are chosen, but it might be you. JOHN UPDIKE
‘Live. Drink it down, laugh it off, avoid the bullshit, take chances…because at one point everything you did was exactly what you wanted.’
I am happy. Not because I’m loved (which I am), not because of my family and friends (who I love), not because of where I live or what I currently do for a living, but because I get to write. Because in whatever small way right now, I get to do what I love.
That is worth so much more than anything else that could make me happy as well. Because it comes from within.
2clouds 