You Should Listen To Yoda

At least now I know why some letters are at the end of the alphabet. Isn’t there a law against writing stuff that sounds funky only to satisfy a board of committees you can’t throw your shoe at? There should be.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, un-shoe, pull off sock, build a slingshot and discard shoe in enemy face, then hop away. Your time is more valuable than the possible result of an exercise in futility. Spend it wisely, write your heart out. Do what you were always meant to do. Follow your Force.

What if a modern writer, Yoda was?

He’d whoop your ass with a lightsaber and have you eat your notes until you got it right. There’s no mastery of anything without the experience of failure and the discipline to keep at it regardless.

But first, you must unlearn what you have learned. Because the rules that were hammered into your head by all those you’ve left behind are baggage that’s slowing you down. Advice is valuable to get you out of a sticky spot, but once you’re moving on your own, carying it along will weaken you. Following others’ rules is what drowns out your own voice.

Don’t fret over the many tries you have behind you, there’s a thousand more still ahead. Keep writing, keep going, don’t pause to mourn your fallibility. A Jedi doesn’t stop mid-fight to snivel and wail. Size matters not. It’s your drive that brings you victory. Always in motion is the future, whether you move with it or not. Do you prefer to stay here and throw a temper tantrum?

Success is like a garden maze. Those that stand outside believe to know which way to go, but won’t get anywhere by watching. Of those inside, no one can guide you, they’re all feeling their way through the maze just the same. It’s only perseverence that decides who wins.

Luke: What’s in there?
Yoda: Only what you take with you.

All those you admire and consider great have stood their own grounds, none have sought each other’s shadow. You’re fooling yourself if you believe you’ll achieve greatness by growing up a tree that’s taking your sunlight. You don’t need anyone else as a crutch. You can do this, trust your gut.

Luke: I can’t believe it.
Yoda: That is why you fail.

Do… or do not. There is no try. Listen to Yoda, write with Force. And aim better with your shoe next time.

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This blog post is part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, April 2012