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
LOL… You had me at “Finish your damn shit, you must!”
Perfectly said, by Yoda and you. And good advice: “Don’t fret over the many tries you have behind you, there’s a thousand more still ahead.” Those tries – if hung onto – become a real albatross, and you just can’t move forward until you let them all go. Sometimes you need to set fire to them. (Safely.)
Love the post, Vero. And Yoda too.
One more A-Z to go!
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Setting fire to stuff is awesome! 😀
Can’t wait for A to Z to be over… so… what’s the next challenge? 😛
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Ah, Vero is a very wise sage, she is. Vero spouteth the truth and it would be wise to listen, it is.
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Thank you Jaye, very kind-hearted and funny, you are.
Damn, I’m gonna need an exorcism to get this kind of speak out of my system. It’s intoxicating!
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In the words of Samuel Beckett:
Ever tried, ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail better.
Well said, Vero! Very motivational. Any Yoda reference gets extra points in my book. I used to have that “there is no try” quote on my wall back in the day.
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Thanks, J.W.! That’s a great quote right there.
I’ve adopted Chuck Wendig’s mantra and don’t think I’ll find a better to replace it with anytime soon.
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Vero, thanks for the introduction to Chuck Wendig! I, too, will adopt his wise words and giggle every time I read them.
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Glad you liked them, Anne!
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Discipline! You must learn discipline!
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Amen to that. Without discipline you’re just a bundle of loose ends.
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This post exemplified why I have such a blog-crush on you. What a fantastic post! An a perfect analogy.
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Why thank you, Jay! 😉
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That Yoda sounds pretty wise. I bet his students went out and changed the world. 🙂
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