A truly wise essay, Matt. It made me think about what Krishna tells Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita—we have a right to our labor, but not to its fruits. I think about that moment a lot as I query one novel and write another. All I can control is the writing.
Matt, this newsletter hits home for me! I too have come to realize I might not get what I set out for. It is, however, something I continue to struggle with more often than care to, but I feel exactly as you about it. Yeah there are those weak moments, admittedly, that I slip back into my old way of thinking, but, I must say, less and less as time goes on. Damn, some mindsets sure die hard don’t they? As you say, maybe “not completely, though enough to see the light ahead.” And I agree, when you say, “it’s not giving up, but continuing to work without needing to know how it ends.” So true. It’s the process itself. Not “needing” but “wanting” to be creative.
I may never sail my boat to that island I’ve spent so much time trying to find, but it’s been, and continues to be a wonderful culminating journey. Funny. The island was inside me all the time. And now I am comforted in knowing every day is more wonderful than the day before sailing the open seas:)
Thank you, Matt.
P.S. Try moving the books off the coffee table and see what happens?
haha thank you Jesse and I will perhaps have to try moving my books… that said I really love your comment and it sounds like you’re in as good of a place as can be with this. Keep sailing my friend, the island is you!
A truly wise essay, Matt. It made me think about what Krishna tells Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita—we have a right to our labor, but not to its fruits. I think about that moment a lot as I query one novel and write another. All I can control is the writing.
Yes that’s beautiful Robert and thank you for your kind words. Such a timeless way to encapsulate this philosophy.
Matt, this newsletter hits home for me! I too have come to realize I might not get what I set out for. It is, however, something I continue to struggle with more often than care to, but I feel exactly as you about it. Yeah there are those weak moments, admittedly, that I slip back into my old way of thinking, but, I must say, less and less as time goes on. Damn, some mindsets sure die hard don’t they? As you say, maybe “not completely, though enough to see the light ahead.” And I agree, when you say, “it’s not giving up, but continuing to work without needing to know how it ends.” So true. It’s the process itself. Not “needing” but “wanting” to be creative.
I may never sail my boat to that island I’ve spent so much time trying to find, but it’s been, and continues to be a wonderful culminating journey. Funny. The island was inside me all the time. And now I am comforted in knowing every day is more wonderful than the day before sailing the open seas:)
Thank you, Matt.
P.S. Try moving the books off the coffee table and see what happens?
jt
haha thank you Jesse and I will perhaps have to try moving my books… that said I really love your comment and it sounds like you’re in as good of a place as can be with this. Keep sailing my friend, the island is you!
Wonderful. Again.
thank you Steve, that means the world to me coming from you