“[A]dulthood involves no butt trumpets.” Are there any truer words?? So much worthy content in here…but if this isn’t a sage observation to be placed on coffee mugs and t-shirts, I don’t know what is!
You will finish the book when the time is ripe. I’m just finishing one that has been 4 years in the making. Trust that at the moment there is still more that needs to percolate
Oof, it took me 6 years to get my camper road-ready (I still would not call it "done"), I have a book idea in my brain, a short memoir of a specific time and place hidden in my laptop, and more unpublished drafts in Substack than I'd like to discuss. And at least 3 half-done projects around the house and a garage full of more possibilities. Hi! :/
Also also…this whole column is the perfect description of what people mean when they say “life is life-ing.” Usually that means some stressors are happening, but this column is about so much more…the ebb and flow of events, of inspiration, of how reality and ambition intersect, about what “good enough” means, and about how “good enough” so often can really be good enough…and it’s about the work that it takes to make dreams, however imperfectly, into something real and tangible. As I write this, I’m reminded that the two sculptured lions in front of the main branch of the NYC Public Library are called Patience and Fortitude. They are mighty and magnificent and live up to their names…and though it may not always feel like it, you are mighty and magnificent and you are showing here what it means to live with patience (impatiently, sometimes) and fortitude (pretty much always).
"Quitting with integrity, or to get back to your integrity, is a real thing." This. A decades long marriage. A job that was stifling. Thank you, from an unfinished woman, living with integrity... and also trying to finish my message for church tomorrow! 😊❤️
Takes courage: A few times, I’ve managed to bow out of things gracefully and without regret. I’m prouder of those quits than most anything I’ve ever finished.
Quitting with integrity, or to get back to your integrity, is a real thing
I read this after sitting on the couch holding a journal and a poised pen, wondering why I couldn't seem to finish anything this summer. Thank you, dear human, for the encouragement--and for the reminder to take a closer look at all I'm carrying and doing on any given day. Of course it's hard to get everything done, especially those big beautiful creative projects! (Also, butt trumpets...?)
“[A]dulthood involves no butt trumpets.” Are there any truer words?? So much worthy content in here…but if this isn’t a sage observation to be placed on coffee mugs and t-shirts, I don’t know what is!
It’s ridiculous that we don’t get butt trumpets! This is bullshit and I’m going to report it to the Complaints about Complaints Department.
They’ll make you file everything in triplicate, but if we get butt trumpets, I think it’s worth it.
Agreed!
You will finish the book when the time is ripe. I’m just finishing one that has been 4 years in the making. Trust that at the moment there is still more that needs to percolate
I too, would like Monty Python butt trumpets when I achieve task completion!
Ever forward!
(....sometimes back. ooh, I should definitely lay this one aside. Now, onward!)
Oof, it took me 6 years to get my camper road-ready (I still would not call it "done"), I have a book idea in my brain, a short memoir of a specific time and place hidden in my laptop, and more unpublished drafts in Substack than I'd like to discuss. And at least 3 half-done projects around the house and a garage full of more possibilities. Hi! :/
Hi!!! 😂
That line about a mishmash of Google Docs sure was relatable. Not for any particular, very specific reasons or anything... (ahem)
Solidarity! ❤️
Also also…this whole column is the perfect description of what people mean when they say “life is life-ing.” Usually that means some stressors are happening, but this column is about so much more…the ebb and flow of events, of inspiration, of how reality and ambition intersect, about what “good enough” means, and about how “good enough” so often can really be good enough…and it’s about the work that it takes to make dreams, however imperfectly, into something real and tangible. As I write this, I’m reminded that the two sculptured lions in front of the main branch of the NYC Public Library are called Patience and Fortitude. They are mighty and magnificent and live up to their names…and though it may not always feel like it, you are mighty and magnificent and you are showing here what it means to live with patience (impatiently, sometimes) and fortitude (pretty much always).
Gosh, I adore you. ❤️
Very cliche, but really it is one step at a time. Somehow, you will move forward.
"Quitting with integrity, or to get back to your integrity, is a real thing." This. A decades long marriage. A job that was stifling. Thank you, from an unfinished woman, living with integrity... and also trying to finish my message for church tomorrow! 😊❤️
You can do it. I believe in you!
Takes courage: A few times, I’ve managed to bow out of things gracefully and without regret. I’m prouder of those quits than most anything I’ve ever finished.
Quitting with integrity, or to get back to your integrity, is a real thing
I read this after sitting on the couch holding a journal and a poised pen, wondering why I couldn't seem to finish anything this summer. Thank you, dear human, for the encouragement--and for the reminder to take a closer look at all I'm carrying and doing on any given day. Of course it's hard to get everything done, especially those big beautiful creative projects! (Also, butt trumpets...?)
Have you not seen Monty Python and The Holy Grail? That’s the origin of the (animated, luckily) butt trumpets.
Ah! Of course. Will go check that out again. It's been a while!
Also…I totally forgot about the butt trumpets and am so glad you reminded me of them! 🤣