It's such a strange sensation at the age of 33 to realize that I'm still growing up. There's a certain sense of pride, a righteous indignation if you will, that resides within each of us and I think that growing up, in a way, means that a little more of that dies each day. That's not a bad thing, it's a very good thing. It's a learning process. It's a letting-go process. Letting go of our selfishness, letting go of our innate desire to be right all the time. I'm not going to say "I'm there" by any means, but I'm certainly closer to it each day.
Of course, anyone who knows me will probably think differently. I do come off as pretty self-centered. I talk a lot. About myself. I'm sarcastic too often. But part of growing up is realizing this, which I have. Another part of growing up is attempting to remedy these sorts of problems. Which I am doing. I find that, the less I talk, the more I learn. About other people and about myself. So if you know me, and you're around me much, and I seem quieter to you in the near future, it's because I'm attempting to remedy these sorts of problems. I can't say that I will succeed. I can only say that I'm going to try.
Another part of growing up is not allowing your disappointments to consume you. Not allowing your anger to become rage, but instead siphoning it into ambition. From time to time, I am disappointed with where I live, and what I do. Not overly consumed, or distraught, but disappointed. From time to time, that disappointment leads to a bit of anger. And in my past, I've allowed my anger to morph into bitterness, resentment, and/or rage. But no more. I've come to let go of most of my anger, save just a couple of things I cannot let go quite yet (but I'm also attempting to!) The rest of this anger I won't even allow to churn. I'm siphoning it off into ambition. I spent the last couple of days angry that I'm not a writer. I spent today deciding to be a writer.
I'm aware that this sounds somewhat asinine, seeing as how I am, in fact, writing right now. But there is a difference between writing and being a writer, and that's a subtle shift that I had not been able to discern until very recently.
I don't just want to write. A lot of people want to write. I don't just want to be a writer. A lot of people want to be a writer. I feel, with every cell in my body, that I was meant to be a writer. That this is my calling in life. That when God was "knitting me together in my Mother's womb" He said, "Hey -- this one's going to be a writer once she realizes that's what she's supposed to be doing". I put a lot of stock into the whole "Age 33" thing, and the fact that by that time Jesus had accomplished His entire mission in life. I feel a bit pathetic that I've only just begun to figure mine out.
It also comes to my attention with this revelation that I am in dire need of a laptop so that I can really write. Without distraction. At the same time, the revelation that I don't have extra cash falling out of my rear end hits me as well. Maybe I should start the www.donatealaptoptostephaniethestarvingartist.com fund.
No links today. Just pure, unadulterated thoughts from me to you. I also figure if I'm talking less, I'm thinking more, and that can't really be a bad thing, can it?
SJS
Wow Stephanie, I didn't know that you were on Blogger as well. (http://laurenet0112358.blogspot.com/) I think that if you know that you're meant to be a writer...then that's an awesome step. To know what you're meant to do...that's pretty awesome (regardless of when you figure it out...also...while I strive every day to be like Jesus, I also more often than not [ALWAYS] find myself lacking when I even attempt to compare my life to His...so I wouldn't fret about your timing). And how wonderful to have such a tangible calling like writing (I think, anyway). I love writing as well (though I'm newer to the whole "blog" thing) but have personally always had a penchant for pen and paper.
ReplyDeleteI guess with a laptop...one can get so much more done in a shorter time...but sometimes I find that to be too overwhelming. Sensory/Input overload.
So anyway...while you don't have a laptop...you do still have your calling and your ideas right? If you need paper...the bottom right hand drawer of my desk from when I interned last summer is full of "scrap (I messed up on form letters) paper" unless JJS got rid of it...you know how frequently he gets rid of stuff though.
I'm glad to see that you're on blogger and am officially following you now!
Peace,
Lauren
When one 'grows up' perhaps they've stopped 'growing'. I never want to 'grow up'.
ReplyDeleteOf course, this is all a bit of facetious word play, but I know you get my gist.
It is soooo easy to be soooo hard on ourselves. The older I get, the more I realize it's important to act as 'partner' with myself, and to get out of the judge's seat toward myself so much. I also realize that, try as I might, it's very hard if not impossible to reach down into my bits and pieces and *change myself*. That's something I need to go to my HP with almost constantly and ask for It's will in my life. Which requires patience, tolerance, and above all, humility.
You're going there. You get it. So many simply don't. Rest in it. What will be, will be.
lvs,
~b.
Thanks to Lauren & Bill for your encouragement. It's always appreciated. And thanks for following! More to come...
ReplyDeleteIf you think a laptop will free you from distractions, you are mistaken. It's really easy to waste time when the whole Internet is sitting on your lap.
ReplyDeleteYou'd have more luck eliminating distractions by going outside with a pencil and a pile of flattened dead trees.
However, a laptop with NO INTERNET would be cheap and workable, no? Meano Ben. Honestly, I can just type about 50 times faster than I can write, and my hands get less tired after the typing. I just want a cheap laptop with some version of Word on it that I can save to disk. Internet free. The bigger keypad, the better. Old school, baby.
ReplyDelete