All the Little Things
Very recently, I swapped jobs.
It hasn’t been a seamless transition. A large part of me wanted to use this space as a chance to cry unto the heavens, to vent my despair for all the world to see.
The internet, social media, and cell phones have done something rather strange to us, however. All of those have combined to create an endless sea of problems and strife, and often the only way to keep yourself sane is to wall yourself off from the endless noise.
It’s ironic that we live in a time where we’ve never been so connected, yet our cries for help cannot be heard over the incessant roaring of the faceless crowds.
So where does that leave me? I need to get a post out, I have things that I need to get off my chest, but must take care that I don’t alienate the readers who come to this space. It’s a delicate balancing act, but I think I’ve found an out.
I’m going to take a few minutes of your time, and share all the little things that have gone right of late. Maybe, just maybe, I can narrow my field of view to the positive aspects of my life and use it as a buoy in the turbulent waters. To the list!
- First and foremost, I am grateful to have this space which I call my own. In the quiet moments, when I feel doubts and fears gnaw at me, this space gives me strength. Many, many people harbor dreams of creating for a living, but few actually risk the aches and pains of growth necessary to make it happen. That I do, that I continue to do so after several years, makes me feel proud.
- I got to sleep my fill today. I slumbered in a quiet house, rain falling gently against the bedroom window, and awoke only when my rest had run its course. That feeling is worth all the pain and heartache.
- I’m grateful for my wife, who has doubled down on trying to both save money and improve our health by cooking all our meals. While I try to help where I can, the fact remains that she bears the lion’s share of the burdens, which I cannot appreciate enough.
- I’m grateful for my tiny human, whose ceaselessly curious mind and clever wits will serve him well all his days. It amazes me that someone so wonderful calls me dad.
- Last, and certainly not least, I am grateful that I still have time to do all the things I’m desperately working on. My health is poor, but there’s still time to fix it. My writing is mostly read to an empty room, but there’s still time to find the wheat amongst the chaff.
That helped. It hasn’t changed anything. None of my problems have hissed like a vampire presented with the most pungent garlic and vanished into the night. It’s me writing though. It’s me sharing that not everything is perfect, but it’s also me making sure that I continue to develop a sense of regularity and consistency with The Quill.
And for that, I’m grateful.
Gratitudefully,
Justin
