Burning Up

Defy the Angels

June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 21 It takes strength and courage to keep going. To move on from a broken heart, from the loss of a loved one, from any of the countless tragedies that we humans are so susceptible to. You gotta keep moving always, but you can’t be afraid to look back either—to observe the past and learn from it. And it’s okay to even mourn it—as long as you keep moving. Don’t forget it, even when it hurts. Because why would you? It is uniquely you. It’s a part of your story. Without it, you wouldn’t be where you are now. You wouldn’t be you. * Reflection title: Defy the Angels * Creative inspiration: Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five * Reflection Question: Do I have the courage to keep moving, while not fearing the past that led me here?

Burning Up

June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 20 The point isn’t to achieve it all. It’s to live fully within the boundaries of the limits of your life and what is possible. To throw your fear of failure to the wind and have the courage to try. Even if you don’t finish what you set out to do, you did it the best you could. Within your capacity and the limits of what was possible for you specifically, and no one else. This is how it’s meant to be. Things will be left unfinished, you can be damn sure of that. But it’s the fact that you even started that matters. It’s your intention that matters. Choosing to try—with a focused determination—over eternity. Burn brightly like a campfire burning up its wood. It may not last forever—it certainly won’t—but it will leave its impression, light, and warmth while it’s here. * Reflection title: Burning Up * Creative inspiration: Pindar, Pythian iii * Reflection Question: Am I playing it safe or exhausting the limits of what’s possible? What will I start today that I’ve been putting off?

Face Your Hook

June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 19 Having the courage to face what you fear grants freedom. More than that, it allows you to live. And really, the outcome isn’t important here. You might find victory. Or you might be met with complete and utter defeat. What’s important is that when the time comes, you rise to the occasion. What matters is that you face your Hook.  Or maybe it was your Pan.  I guess that all depends on where you’re standing. * Reflection title: Face Your Hook * Creative inspiration: J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan * Reflection Question: Is there a Hook I’ve been afraid to face? When will I finally take a breath, and take the leap?

Be Yourself and Disturb the Universe

June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 18 Those tiny voices ceaselessly chatter in the back of your mind: Can’t believe he thinks this is any good. He spent how much time on this? Hope he doesn’t quit his day job . . .  They leave the door wide open for those second guesses to come rushing in. Is my hair thinning? These wrinkles have gotten so deep. Am I wasting my time? Am I a fraud? Maybe I should just hang it up and not even bother. They seem damn real, don’t they? When they’re there echoing off the walls of your mind. But they’re not. They’re fabrications—they are the frauds born of insecurities and imposter syndrome and you have no business spending time with them or giving them a thought. And in the chance that one or two of those voices or comments are real or become real—who cares? It’s so easy to criticize, isn’t it? Think of all the opinions and critiques you carry. But it takes courage—real courage—to go into a room when you’re feeling anxious or afraid. To put a personal, creative piece out there into the world. It’s easier said than done—but build up your strength and courage to shut those voices out. Know that there is only one you. And that the world is a better place for your being here. Know that the thoughts and opinions of others—whether about you as a person or something you’ve created—can only harm you if you allow them to. Do things your way—don’t listen to everyone else out there—all the rules and opinions. They’ll back you into a corner, keep you home, lock you into a sort of creative paralysis. Dare to be yourself. Dare to create.  Dare to disturb the universe.  * Reflection title: Be Yourself and Disturb the Universe * Creative inspiration: T. S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” * Reflection Question: Am I allowing my perception of what others think about me or my work control me? In what way will I dare to disturb the universe next?

Courage or Cowardice? Work it Out

June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 17 It’s important to do the work day in and day out. Do difficult things. Stand up for others. Treat yourself with respect and kindness. Make a promise to yourself to learn something new every day. Help your neighbors, and show compassion for those you disagree with (even though I know that’s super uncool these days). These are just a few of the courage exercises that you can do to build your habit—to work out your courage muscle so that it becomes a constant. Make the vow to never abandon yourself. If you fall, as long as you get back up, you’ll see that your courage is still right there beside you. * Reflection title: Courage or Cowardice? Work it Out * Creative inspiration: Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses * Reflection Question: Am I working toward a constancy of courage? What courage exercises do I need to do to strengthen my muscle?