Glass Half Full
I’m going to
start this one with the greatest of intentions and that means with a
disclaimer.
Once again, it shouldn’t have to be said, but I will say it. This and every Reason & Reality is my opinion and it is not the Holy Grail, but my voice to you. This isn’t perfect because I am not perfect. This isn’t the only way, but just one possibility. This isn’t some special door you open to the promise land of fame and fortune, but a single door of many that leads you to the land of positive possibilities. This is the reason why I am hopeful when you sit down and compose your work, you will dream and believe your work will fulfill the ultimate writers dream. And, just like most of my articles I would like to discuss only three of these ultimate dreams. For me, these dreams are need, addiction, and classic.
Once again, it shouldn’t have to be said, but I will say it. This and every Reason & Reality is my opinion and it is not the Holy Grail, but my voice to you. This isn’t perfect because I am not perfect. This isn’t the only way, but just one possibility. This isn’t some special door you open to the promise land of fame and fortune, but a single door of many that leads you to the land of positive possibilities. This is the reason why I am hopeful when you sit down and compose your work, you will dream and believe your work will fulfill the ultimate writers dream. And, just like most of my articles I would like to discuss only three of these ultimate dreams. For me, these dreams are need, addiction, and classic.
Need
At times, I wonder why I sit still for hours on end composing my thoughts into words, and these words into stories to share with others. It is like a have a need to say something. People who spend hours in thought and actions to create understands what I mean and those who have nothing more to give knows this as well. Some people call it inspiration. Some people call it a gift. And of course, some of us call it want it truly is and that is a need. For those who call it a fire or a bright shinny start, those are the ones who know that after a while the fire goes out and the star goes nova. The biggest culprit in the (Shakespearian) dyeing of the light is labels. Take for instance a musical artist. They work their butts off to make it to the top. Once they receive the acclaim they had nearly killed themselves to obtain, they then fall away. Is it because they had burned bright and have nothing else to give or is it that after satisfying their one desire, they no longer have the need to keep fighting or they aren’t welcomed as openly to all their fans when they attempt to do something outside the label that was given to them or genre they are known for and that is expected of them? There is no area of appreciation (artist to audience) where this isn’t true. However, there is no rule that says it isn’t possible or encouraged. Those who are willing to remain as they are and provide what is known, either have great fear of losing what they have or addicted to what will soon disappear.
At times, I wonder why I sit still for hours on end composing my thoughts into words, and these words into stories to share with others. It is like a have a need to say something. People who spend hours in thought and actions to create understands what I mean and those who have nothing more to give knows this as well. Some people call it inspiration. Some people call it a gift. And of course, some of us call it want it truly is and that is a need. For those who call it a fire or a bright shinny start, those are the ones who know that after a while the fire goes out and the star goes nova. The biggest culprit in the (Shakespearian) dyeing of the light is labels. Take for instance a musical artist. They work their butts off to make it to the top. Once they receive the acclaim they had nearly killed themselves to obtain, they then fall away. Is it because they had burned bright and have nothing else to give or is it that after satisfying their one desire, they no longer have the need to keep fighting or they aren’t welcomed as openly to all their fans when they attempt to do something outside the label that was given to them or genre they are known for and that is expected of them? There is no area of appreciation (artist to audience) where this isn’t true. However, there is no rule that says it isn’t possible or encouraged. Those who are willing to remain as they are and provide what is known, either have great fear of losing what they have or addicted to what will soon disappear.
Addiction
I would be the first to say that having people know who you are (even if they don’t know who you are) voice their appreciation of what you do. This draw of attention is addictive and can change your focus from being inward to outward. When you care more about making other people happy at the cost of that part of you that made you special in their eyes in the first place, you will soon experience that (Shakespearian) dyeing of the light. In place of striving for an addiction that comes and goes according to what and who is popular, get addicted to yourself. Writers are a good example of this addiction. You know you are a writer when you can’t go a single day without writing something, correcting something you had written, or reading something that will help you improve your writing. No matter how bad your day has been or those who comment negatively on a previously released manuscript, you continue to write. All artists go through the critics’ meat grinder sooner or later, but they continue each and every day with what they do as if it is an addiction. The one thing that should never be forgotten is that today’s less than spectacular effort is tomorrow’s classic.
I would be the first to say that having people know who you are (even if they don’t know who you are) voice their appreciation of what you do. This draw of attention is addictive and can change your focus from being inward to outward. When you care more about making other people happy at the cost of that part of you that made you special in their eyes in the first place, you will soon experience that (Shakespearian) dyeing of the light. In place of striving for an addiction that comes and goes according to what and who is popular, get addicted to yourself. Writers are a good example of this addiction. You know you are a writer when you can’t go a single day without writing something, correcting something you had written, or reading something that will help you improve your writing. No matter how bad your day has been or those who comment negatively on a previously released manuscript, you continue to write. All artists go through the critics’ meat grinder sooner or later, but they continue each and every day with what they do as if it is an addiction. The one thing that should never be forgotten is that today’s less than spectacular effort is tomorrow’s classic.
Classic
It goes without saying that some of our most precious classics were not warmly received when they were first given to the world. Art, music, cinematic efforts, and literature. This is where the sun will come out and we can finally appreciate the special treat the artist had given all of us. Those strange looking paintings, that weird indescribable sound, a black and white movie when vibrant colors are available, and some strange little story about of some not so human creature call a hobbit that had many scratching their heads trying to figure out what the heck is a hobbit. Continue with your addiction, be grateful you still have a need to give more, and remember todays efforts are tomorrow’s classics. SD
It goes without saying that some of our most precious classics were not warmly received when they were first given to the world. Art, music, cinematic efforts, and literature. This is where the sun will come out and we can finally appreciate the special treat the artist had given all of us. Those strange looking paintings, that weird indescribable sound, a black and white movie when vibrant colors are available, and some strange little story about of some not so human creature call a hobbit that had many scratching their heads trying to figure out what the heck is a hobbit. Continue with your addiction, be grateful you still have a need to give more, and remember todays efforts are tomorrow’s classics. SD
Illustration; Unkown
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