Don’t let life happen while you’re waiting for something better to come along.
Is it just me or does everybody’s life include bleh days?
You know, those days that are so forgetful you can’t even remember why they’re bleh. I suppose bleh is better than bad, but still, it seems like there should be more excitement going on.
I recently received a pretty good review from the Story Sanctuary. That was exciting. (The Story Sanctuary is a great resource for finding out about young adult novels. You can check it out and the review of Balustrade by clicking this blue link: The Story Sanctuary)
As the first review I’ve gotten from someone whom I’ve never spoken with and who could be completely objective, the review encouraged me all over the place.
Of course, not every day produces a positive judgment on my writing. Some days swing the opposite direction.
That’s okay. At least it’s not dull.
Being a writer has its hills and valleys and some pretty long flat stretches. Some days are great. Some stink. And some are just boring.
I’m guessing here, but I feel fairly certain that these kinds of days aren’t restricted to writers.
Maybe it’s not a good review. Maybe instead it’s a good grade or a call from an old friend. And instead of self-doubt, it’s just being tired or overwhelmed.
And that’s life. Good, bad, and bleh.
Or is it?
John Lennon said that life happens while we’re busy making plans.
Personally, I think life happens while we’re waiting for something better to come along.
Moments of time tick away forever lost, while we watch for the next win or wink or whiff of success.
When we’re on the hilltop, we soar, and when we’re in the valley, we long to be back on normal ground. And when we’re on those long flat stretches, we keep our eye on the mountain top and our back to the valley. All the while, precious seconds of just being with those we love, feeling the waves of life, and moving through our little existence go by, unnoticed and under appreciated.
In Through the Balustrade, the main character, Roxan, is always stopping to take mental pictures of moments in her life.
Her first day at work.
The first time she sees the moon.
Even the scary moment before she meets her enemy.
Maybe there’s more to that than just tucking mental scraps into the memory book. Maybe those long flat stretches possess more life than we recognize. I’m starting to think that we were never meant to live in the bleh, but if we are, then at the very least there’s meaning to be found there.
All of those amazing, horrible, and lackluster moments fit together to make up our life—the good, the bad, and the bleh.
Those moments mean something.
None of them are beyond the touch of God. And all of them can be useful. Figuring out how they’re useful…well, there’s an adventure that could very well eliminate the dreary days forever.
How about you? Are you getting the most out of each moment and not wishing them away?
It takes all of the moments to make a complete life. Maybe some of our bleh days give us opportunities to notice others’ “mountain top” days. Some days we inspire, and some days we can get inspired by others.
So true! It takes all the moments to make a complete life. Thanks, Fred!
Go girl!
I wasn’t finished! What wise and encouraging words. Congratulations on the positive review. Hold on to it. I find one bad comment can wreck one hundred positive ones. I’m sharing your post!
Thanks Andy! I know what you mean. One harsh word can make a hundred encouraging ones not seem so great. May the good ones always outweigh the bad!