A-men. You have to learn confidence in your own feel for what you need, whether it’s a long interval or do-it-now-and-to-hell-with-everything-else. That probably takes years of trial and error, till you’ve had multiple experiences where you’ve gone with your feel against everyone’s better judgement and succeeded. By that time you’ll also have learned not to second-guess yourself.
(And, incidentally, judging from my own experience, by that time you’ll probably be old. But it’s well worth it.)
It’s important, because sometimes the intervals required are months. Or years.
One of the best pieces ever! Reminds of a Cherokee tale / There are two wolves that are constantly at war inside all of us one driven by meanness negativity lack of creativity etc. The other by Kindness peace mindfulness positivity etc. which one wins? THE ONE YOU FEED and I can see that your are and always will feed him well!
It’s uncanny how often the things you write fit into my current thought process. I’ve often wondered what “regular people” do with their lives and all I can come up with is - not much. Curiosity has been at the forefront of my life, my siblings and parents lives as well, so growing up I never knew anything different than always exploring and trying and doing. I’ve had a few relationships end (sadly) not from any particularly toxic habits but more from boredom. It seems like so many people lack curiosity or are simply afraid to try, afraid to fail. Bring curiosity to the table and we can both learn, grow, fail, succeed, share, and in a word: live. Thanks Hank, for putting it into words.
Afraid to fail! You nailed it, Tom. It also doesn’t help that School teaches one what to think rather than how to think. School teaches one to be afraid to fail. Of course, that’s not a failure but rather the very design of School—good obedient citizens. School also teaches you to not be curious. It’s not correct to question the Experts!
Hank, your article brings to mind a series I listened to called Necessary Endings, as well as, the chapter in Woman Who Run with Wolves titled “Hunting: When the Heart is a Lonely Hunter – Skeleton Woman: Facing the Life/Death/Life Nature of Love”. Life/Nature is all about cycles aka intervals. Necessary Endings are needed for New Beginnings. Seasons are intervals. Having courage to untangle the line from the bones (curiosity).
I was so furious when I was evicted from my apartment because I 'didn't make enough progress in straightening out my living space.' Yes, it was a federally funded, low income apartment. Yes there are certain rules about keeping the place clean. I tried. I bought things I never considered necessary as I tried to sort out my life after finally leaving my parents' home. And just as I finally started getting it all sorted out, they told me I had to leave. Why? Because I had too many books, clothes, and papers and someone had seen a roach crawling out from under my door. It wasn't just me by the way, anyone in the building who had much of anything in the way of possessions was being harassed by the new manager to get rid of some of their possessions. One woman did crafts that she sold online to support herself (she wasn't eligible for Social Security) and he told her to get rid of all her supplies! I tried to explain to the Housing Authority that I had limited help in straightening my things out but they wouldn't listen. I had ten days to find alternate housing. I couldn't find anything I could afford in ten days. I barely managed to get my stuff packed up and moved to a storage facility in the ten days before I went to the only homeless shelter in my county--then I had to move to a long term care facility as the homeless shelter wasn't handicapped friendly. (By the way, the only reason they got away with it was because they were not a state or county run facility) After three months, my SSI was discontinued, leaving me with only forty five dollars a month to pay my bills. Not too much of a problem--at first. I spent my time resting, doing physical therapy helped give me greater mobility than I had had in years, and went through a lot of my yarn stash making hats and scarves for a local charity and blankets for other residents. When I could, I reapplied to the Housing Authority for a new apartment only to be told that I owed them nearly a thousand dollars in cleaning and other fees for my previous apartment. Fees I was never informed I owed even though they say they sent me a letter, fees I can't get a detailed accounting of because the Main Office doesn't have one and the Building Administration no longer has those records. The real kicker? I can't reapply until that is paid in full. How can I pay back a thousand dollars when I only have forty five dollars a month? Well, I think I've managed to pay back a hundred in two years here but there's a lot yet to go. This mess is killing me and I want out. But I'm stuck. My brother tried to commit suicide in the same situation--or so he claims. I'm more stubborn--they're going to have to take me as a tenant! Maybe not the same building in the same part of the county but somewhere. I just have to work towards it one day at a time. By the way, the rung I'm making from yarn from worn out scarves and hats is coming along well.
All through those intervals in life, remember that you have to find what fulfills you. Your only on this rock for a short time, and you shouldn't leave life with any, or too many, regrets. Having cancer puts that in a perspective. Enjoy life on that favorite, and even unknown, stretch of water.
I was, and I tried it, even caught a few fish, notably a dolly varden in Alaska. It's a lifestyle, however, and if I am honest, I fish to catch fish and eat them, and in only a few instances is fly angling more effective than conventional. I think I get my "think time" best in the woods or desert or plains rather than on the water.
Same here. Tried fly fishing a couple times, but it's just nowhere near as effective for me at catching fish. And although I do release fish, the goal is usually to keep at least some for a meal or two. Just had a meal the other day of some nice bluegills I caught the day before, and man, it was delicious.
I appreciate that. I fly fish, but not exclusively. I am, broadly speaking, not a fan of catch and release. If I’m catching fish, I’m usually planning meals, not staying out there all day fishing and putting fish back. I’d also say fly fishing requires a lot of focus, not much “think time” going on besides the fishing. I’m good with a few hours at a time…then I want to shoot turkeys or hunt mushrooms etc,…
What's true for the gym is also true for the desk: Some days, the words pour out; other days, I just stare out the window. Both are "productive" in their own way. Best days: write until I run out of words, then head to the gym. Congratulations on the new book!
Thanks! And that's very true. I can write under any circumstances -- I was a newspaper reporter for 18 years, deadlines!!! -- but real writing only comes with time. I had this one rolling around in my head for a while before I sat down to write it.
A-men. You have to learn confidence in your own feel for what you need, whether it’s a long interval or do-it-now-and-to-hell-with-everything-else. That probably takes years of trial and error, till you’ve had multiple experiences where you’ve gone with your feel against everyone’s better judgement and succeeded. By that time you’ll also have learned not to second-guess yourself.
(And, incidentally, judging from my own experience, by that time you’ll probably be old. But it’s well worth it.)
It’s important, because sometimes the intervals required are months. Or years.
Intervals, such a fitting header to this, great read and very relatable
One of your finest articles ever.....keep up the excellent writing and the insightful comments!!!!!!!Thanks, Hank
One of the best pieces ever! Reminds of a Cherokee tale / There are two wolves that are constantly at war inside all of us one driven by meanness negativity lack of creativity etc. The other by Kindness peace mindfulness positivity etc. which one wins? THE ONE YOU FEED and I can see that your are and always will feed him well!
Great Article Hank, looking forward to seeing you in June at the Minneapolis events
It’s uncanny how often the things you write fit into my current thought process. I’ve often wondered what “regular people” do with their lives and all I can come up with is - not much. Curiosity has been at the forefront of my life, my siblings and parents lives as well, so growing up I never knew anything different than always exploring and trying and doing. I’ve had a few relationships end (sadly) not from any particularly toxic habits but more from boredom. It seems like so many people lack curiosity or are simply afraid to try, afraid to fail. Bring curiosity to the table and we can both learn, grow, fail, succeed, share, and in a word: live. Thanks Hank, for putting it into words.
Afraid to fail! You nailed it, Tom. It also doesn’t help that School teaches one what to think rather than how to think. School teaches one to be afraid to fail. Of course, that’s not a failure but rather the very design of School—good obedient citizens. School also teaches you to not be curious. It’s not correct to question the Experts!
Hank, your article brings to mind a series I listened to called Necessary Endings, as well as, the chapter in Woman Who Run with Wolves titled “Hunting: When the Heart is a Lonely Hunter – Skeleton Woman: Facing the Life/Death/Life Nature of Love”. Life/Nature is all about cycles aka intervals. Necessary Endings are needed for New Beginnings. Seasons are intervals. Having courage to untangle the line from the bones (curiosity).
I was so furious when I was evicted from my apartment because I 'didn't make enough progress in straightening out my living space.' Yes, it was a federally funded, low income apartment. Yes there are certain rules about keeping the place clean. I tried. I bought things I never considered necessary as I tried to sort out my life after finally leaving my parents' home. And just as I finally started getting it all sorted out, they told me I had to leave. Why? Because I had too many books, clothes, and papers and someone had seen a roach crawling out from under my door. It wasn't just me by the way, anyone in the building who had much of anything in the way of possessions was being harassed by the new manager to get rid of some of their possessions. One woman did crafts that she sold online to support herself (she wasn't eligible for Social Security) and he told her to get rid of all her supplies! I tried to explain to the Housing Authority that I had limited help in straightening my things out but they wouldn't listen. I had ten days to find alternate housing. I couldn't find anything I could afford in ten days. I barely managed to get my stuff packed up and moved to a storage facility in the ten days before I went to the only homeless shelter in my county--then I had to move to a long term care facility as the homeless shelter wasn't handicapped friendly. (By the way, the only reason they got away with it was because they were not a state or county run facility) After three months, my SSI was discontinued, leaving me with only forty five dollars a month to pay my bills. Not too much of a problem--at first. I spent my time resting, doing physical therapy helped give me greater mobility than I had had in years, and went through a lot of my yarn stash making hats and scarves for a local charity and blankets for other residents. When I could, I reapplied to the Housing Authority for a new apartment only to be told that I owed them nearly a thousand dollars in cleaning and other fees for my previous apartment. Fees I was never informed I owed even though they say they sent me a letter, fees I can't get a detailed accounting of because the Main Office doesn't have one and the Building Administration no longer has those records. The real kicker? I can't reapply until that is paid in full. How can I pay back a thousand dollars when I only have forty five dollars a month? Well, I think I've managed to pay back a hundred in two years here but there's a lot yet to go. This mess is killing me and I want out. But I'm stuck. My brother tried to commit suicide in the same situation--or so he claims. I'm more stubborn--they're going to have to take me as a tenant! Maybe not the same building in the same part of the county but somewhere. I just have to work towards it one day at a time. By the way, the rung I'm making from yarn from worn out scarves and hats is coming along well.
Always wondering what’s around the bend. What’s on the other side of that hill? What would that “spot” be like? Curiosity is crucial.
Currently turkey hunting and wondering whether a turkey will EVER show up…🤷
Just one more cast. Just one more hour. Maybe the mushrooms are over this hill?
All through those intervals in life, remember that you have to find what fulfills you. Your only on this rock for a short time, and you shouldn't leave life with any, or too many, regrets. Having cancer puts that in a perspective. Enjoy life on that favorite, and even unknown, stretch of water.
Very, very true.
Good stuff. Aren't you curious about fly fishing, LOL.
I was, and I tried it, even caught a few fish, notably a dolly varden in Alaska. It's a lifestyle, however, and if I am honest, I fish to catch fish and eat them, and in only a few instances is fly angling more effective than conventional. I think I get my "think time" best in the woods or desert or plains rather than on the water.
Same here. Tried fly fishing a couple times, but it's just nowhere near as effective for me at catching fish. And although I do release fish, the goal is usually to keep at least some for a meal or two. Just had a meal the other day of some nice bluegills I caught the day before, and man, it was delicious.
I appreciate that. I fly fish, but not exclusively. I am, broadly speaking, not a fan of catch and release. If I’m catching fish, I’m usually planning meals, not staying out there all day fishing and putting fish back. I’d also say fly fishing requires a lot of focus, not much “think time” going on besides the fishing. I’m good with a few hours at a time…then I want to shoot turkeys or hunt mushrooms etc,…
What's true for the gym is also true for the desk: Some days, the words pour out; other days, I just stare out the window. Both are "productive" in their own way. Best days: write until I run out of words, then head to the gym. Congratulations on the new book!
Thanks! And that's very true. I can write under any circumstances -- I was a newspaper reporter for 18 years, deadlines!!! -- but real writing only comes with time. I had this one rolling around in my head for a while before I sat down to write it.