Marathons and Sprints

I’ve never liked running.

I’m of a mind to focus on one subject at a time, invest all my energy into it, and see it from beginning to completion. A ‘sprint’ if you will. It turns out life likes to complicate matters in virtually every way, nearly every day. There are moments when I can sprint to the finish and resolve an issue by the power of determination and effort, but I put blinders on in order to stay on course. After reaching the next clearing and looking back down the path I traveled, I see missed opportunities and other failures I gladly attribute to my eagerness to focus upon a single subject.

Perhaps I’m over critical of myself. Life has many twists and turns, and there’s no sense racing through all of it in my mind, so that’s one of my many ‘marathons.’ Any relationship built on love and trust is also a marathon, worth taking the time and keeping pace for the long haul. When I first began building the foundation of my art, I conducted a series of sprints to achieve my goals, eventually realizing I was in fact working through a new sort of marathon. Each project built upon the others, my skills and capabilities improved, and while I might not have reached my intended destination, I’m stronger for the journey. Published, yet in obscurity, I see another distant destination on the horizon.

Building an author platform has mostly been done for me by those that care enough to support me and my dreams, and I can never thank them enough for that. I have to shed the blinders and embrace the burning lungs and sore muscles to come, as I try to put myself out there and push my limits. I don’t think I have what it takes to be a good marketer or salesperson, but I’m going to have to prove myself wrong if I want to succeed. I believe in my art, and the evolution of my voice as a creative, but ego doesn’t transfer into self-confidence as much as I’d like. Maybe you can relate?

Whether you’re of a mind to tackle some seemingly insurmountable challenge in life, or just grinding out the day to day, your journey is just as meaningful and essential as mine, or anyone else’s. I’m here, taking a breather, trying to tell you that it’s going to be hard work and lots of it, but we’re made of the stuff of stars.