Musings

Musings

DirtySciFiBuddha22 Comments

Obviously, a journey begins with a single step, but personally, I have encountered a follow-on need to nurture positivity; it primes my perception for opportunities and choices, rather than browbeating and relentless disparagement.

I could adopt the age-old argument that greatness comes from voluntary misery, but I’ve lived way too long in a wretched and destitute, tit-for-tat, transaction-driven model where the victor wins a torturously anemic sip of happiness before plunging back into an ocean of contestation and suffering. If I eat good food, I’d like to enjoy it without hemming and hawing. If I see good movies, I’d like to appreciate them without obsessing over how they could have been better. And if I write a story that I love and approve of when I hit publish, I’d like to move on to the joy of writing the next one, without bemoaning how I could have added or subtracted this or that.

Perhaps that means I forsake the masses’ definition of “greatness.” I don’t think it’s an either/or, but if I’m deemed outwardly great while being inwardly miserable, then I believe I’m in conflict with my existential purpose.

22 thoughts on “Musings”

    • It is acceptance of whatever arises externally or internally, even if whatever is happening internally might be objectively wrong, such as the thought that I’m stuck in something forever. I let myself have that thought and feeling, even though I might not outwardly express it.

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  5. Nicely said – I reckon the need for expression and self-awareness are just a couple of “things” which drive me to write. Greatness is looking in the mirror without cringing at what looks back at you, reading and sharing your work, loving and supporting your family and being content with life. This is my key to greatness, because being content is already the pinnacle of ultimate joy in this life. This is greatness of the soul and not of material, temporary worldly pursuits. Being content trumps happiness because happiness can be built up, but can also be pulled down. Contentment is not just a frame of mind, it’s a way of life. Remaining content rests upon the satisfaction knowing that nothing else in this world can make your life better, for the long run that is. Finding contentment is the missing key which can unlock anyone’s greatness – the Key? Well that’s another comment-in-convo for another post-in-process …

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    • Indeed! I like to lean into acceptance, which is mostly directed toward external phenomena, but I also apply it to internal phenomena. Even if something is objectively wrong, such as I hate so-and-so, I let myself have that thought and feeling without outwardly acting on it. Suppression, denial, and rationalizing it away seems to just inflame it. For me, anyway.

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  6. Hey hey,

    This is DW Draffin from Lisica, a WordPress site you’ve liked the last couple weeks. So I came over to check out your wares. A very nice and colorful place you got here! I’m an Audible narrator and I was wondering if you might need some audiobook versions of your books. I also write YA fantasy myself and have a teenager. There are royalty-share agreements on ACX which allow us to work together with no money up front. No pressure, but if it sounds good please contact me at (no spaces) dw draffin @ gmail. com.

    Good luck with all your projects!

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    • Appreciate your reaching out! Currently, I’m dipping my toe into partnering with a publisher, so that’s where my energy is at, but if the ball starts rolling in the audible direction, I’ll definitely keep you in mind! I like that you vibe with the YA fantasy world! And best of luck to you as well, I hope you find fun and fulfillment with your creative endeavors!

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  7. Don’t you think many of us live with this kind of conflict (referring to your last paragraph here), at least for some of the time. Congrats on your recent run of creativity, and especially the YA book you’ve just put out.

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    • I figured most of us probably do! I just like to speak for myself because I’ve made the past mistake of thinking others thought like me by default. Thanks for the kind words! I definitely had a blast writing YA fantasy!

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  9. Love it. I could revise forever. Just push “publish” and stop worrying what other people think. It’s freeing as all hell. And don’t worry-your talents and personality come through just fine. That’s what writing does.

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  10. I don’t have much to add to this. I’m new to blogging, just getting my own blog started, really, and checking out other blogs to see how it’s done. I haven’t left many comments yet, but felt compelled to say (needlessly, as I’m sure you know) that you, sir, have a way with words. I love the way you weave them together. That’s all. Carry on!

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    • Thanks, I appreciate that! Good luck with your blog, I’ve been doing it for almost a decade, so some of my previous rougher edges have been filed down a bit. I wish you fun and fulfillment with your writing endeavors!

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  11. Perceiving something is totally based on an individual’s perspectives. I appreciate the way you have described. There shouldn’t be any proper definition as to understand why we feel content with something while others might not feel the same about it.

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  12. “…a torturously anemic sip of happiness before plunging back into an ocean of contestation and suffering” seems like no victory at all 🤣🤣

    I feel you, though; when you move on, make sure you actually do.

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