"I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing."
Coming down is the hardest thing."
--Tom Petty and Jess Lynne
I love the lyrics to Learning to Fly. He knows he has no wings and he's going to fall, yet he tries anyway. Each time I hear those words I'm moved emotionally and intellectually. Yesterday I stopped and asked myself why. I don't often do that because honestly I generally don't care to know; I don't want to dig that deep.
Maybe it's age or the strangeness of 2012, but yesterday I was pleasantly surprised by my answer. Life is difficult, no matter how many rules you follow. You're going to get hurt, but that doesn't mean you stop being.
In between moments of ecstasy: falling in love, giving birth, observing a sunrise, a sunset -- I've sunk to the depth of despair. I've also loved so deeply that my heart felt as if it would burst. I've known joy, fear, bliss, grief, panic, euphoria, rage, and passion. I've used those emotions and experiences in my novels. I've stopped wondering about the why and accepted that I'm a writer and a storyteller. Sometimes things cannot be explained, nor can they be put into words.
Wonderful post, Joylene!!! We're on a similar wave length today, but you put it so much better than I ever could. While I do believe there is a time for "discipline, daily writing and diligence," it's sure not at the creative stage!
ReplyDeleteSome days, even when you know you're going to fail, you have to try. It's part of enriching the experience of life. It's part of unleashing passion and letting it develop.
So true, Carol. It's a time to connect to the spirit and to simple meditate with God. I don't do that enough myself. These lyrics were a good reminder.
DeleteWell said, Joylene. I think too, some days are just for resting. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, Karen. Somebody this week said that even the brain needs rest. I like that.
DeleteA day spent not 'writing' is still, in a roundabout way. For the same reason young authors can rarely produce a compelling novel: experience. You nailed it Joylene, all those emotions and experience are the well we use to add depth and verisimilitude to our work. That well needs refilling so hours, days or even weeks (that's extreme) away from your desk or laptop are good for you, both as a writer and a person
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Pat. It's a nice reminder that I'm going bookmark so I can read it often. Thanks!
DeleteWonderful Post! As I read, this came to mind. To Everything there is a season and a time to every purpose, under Heaven (Turn, Turn, Turn). Nice to see others are on the same page. To live happy lives, we have to stop and feed our spirits. (Which I did a blog post for my tarot blog yesterday on - it'll go live Thursday.)If we aren't enjoy a little bit of this miracle we call life, really what is the purpose.
ReplyDeleteMay the angels guide you in your flight.
That was lovely. Thank you, Cher.
DeleteLiving is the most important part of writing, way more important than the words. Without living, words are meaningless.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Pat. That's why I'm grateful for little blessings every day.
DeleteBeautiful post. While I do believe in working hard and being diligent, experience is the key to writing and feeling and living.
ReplyDeleteAnd while writing can be hard work, it should be a wonderful part of living, not a chore. I think too often we forget this and become overwhelmed. Thanks for stopping by, Sara.
Delete"Learning to fly without wings..." Great association.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I was listening to Free Fallin' by Tom Petty last night. Love that song. I guess that's what happens if we don't work hard on our writing. We're free fallin'!
Love the analogy, Emily. Free fallin, for sure. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteHi Joylene,
ReplyDeleteSometimes, due to 'turbulence', better to just land and enjoy a bit of a relaxing, reflective stopover.
You have articulated it so well, Joylene.
In peace and positive wishes, your way, Gary
My dear man... peace back at ya!
DeleteSomedays are just for learning to fly without wings.
ReplyDeleteOh, Joylene, but you've said so much in a simple sentence that belongs on a tee shirt! Great post!
Oh Kittie, I can see it now, me covered in 100s of tee shirt while the money keeps rolling in. Great idea!
DeleteThanks, Kittie.
Utterly brilliant. I'm so moved by what you've said here, even more so by what you've implied between the lines. Awesome, Joylene!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! I loved your blog post for Father's Day. Awesome!
DeleteWhat an inspirational post, Joylene! I love the way you see things. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie!
DeleteAs usual your fresh approach and honesty is uplifting. You nailed this one, Joylene.Somedays, just being is enough.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy!
DeleteI have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting
ReplyDeletearticle like yours. It's pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
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Thank you, Anon.
DeleteAs much as I agree that, yes, writing is probably a craft, I want to shake my head and say it's really about feeling things so deeply that you have to express them. Maybe the craft part comes into it when we edit.
ReplyDeleteI like comparing it to learning to fly. Beautiful!
That's a different type of writing than I'm talking about, Laurel. But you're right, craft definitely comes into it. What I'm meaning is there's too much emphasis on productivity, and often writers are made to feel less worthy because they can't perform to the standards many people set. Yes, it's good to be discipline and prolific, but somedays are meant for something else. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.
DeleteA wonderful commentary, Joylene. I am grateful for the gifts I've gleaned from life.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyce. And kudos for taking down the dragon on a candlelight dinner. Too funny.
DeleteBeautiful sentiment, Joylene. :) Some days it's enough to just be in the moment, to just relish silence, or laughter, or yourself. Those are my mental health days.
ReplyDeleteHappy flying, Adriana.
DeleteHi Joylene! Thanks for sharing this wonderful post. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susanne!
DeleteI'm with you on not wanting to stop and explore my "feelings." I'd rather keep busy and skim through the days with no emotions...no ups, no downs. But then, a TV story, a rainstorm, a rich novel, my grandson's kisses will bring me face to face with my heart. So I stop, and take time to roll with it and realize how my life is blessed. Thank you for this thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I feel, Janet. Thanks for sharing that.
DeleteThanks for your words . . . sometimes I get lost in other people's books instead of my own and then feel guilty I didn't get any words on the page but we need to 'enjoy the moment' for sure. Everyone deserves a day off!
ReplyDeleteReading is one of the best things a writer can do for herself. It's through the simple joy of reading that we gain insight into building great characters and riveting scenes. Bravo for reading, Jamie! And thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI love your post, especially the last line.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shethra. Music to my ears!
DeleteHow very very true!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole! Happy Weekend.
DeleteFrom one wingless creature to another, great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith!
DeleteHA!!! I'm so glad there's someone else who believes that isn't true. It's the stuff of life that gives us the ingredients to write. If you don't experience life, you have nothing to write about. And I don't think it takes discipline either, just a desire. GREAT POST!!
ReplyDelete(Sorry I've been away and haven't been able to visit much lately.)
Thanks, Nancy. And no need to apologize. You're like too totally kewl to ever have to say sorry. Loved your Cassie post!
DeleteLove this post, Joylene. You're absolutely right. "Somedays are just for learning to fly without wings."--love that!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Laura.
DeleteI used to feel bad that I wasn't busy enough, but nowadays I treasure the moments when I have time to experience and process things, with deadlines and to-do lists pushed to the back of my mind.
ReplyDeleteThat's the spirit, Medeia. Thanks for visiting and for joining my blog. Have a great day.
DeleteOh, Joylene, your post is so gorgeous I saved it to click open for inspiration. You so beautifully put into words so much that one experiences as the clock ticks but which is difficult to explain. Like that dog-tired flop on the sofa and the surge that comes from somewhere that hauls the bones up and off one goes to get the job done. And I thank you for your lovely comment, but, girl, when I think of your move, your book and all that needs to be done, I'm the one who's inspired. Seriously! (Actually, I was thinking about your move today when a neighbor said today they were going to Canada on holiday. Speaking of which, hub and I leave Friday on holiday; we're going British friends in Italy. Can't wait!)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Kittie, every time I read one of your posts, I think of my grandmother. Bibianne Magdeleine Gauthier Desjardins. I read what you've written and I see her as a young girl, then a mother, a widow. Makes me cry. Don't know why. I suppose it's your voice. You seem to capture what my memories have of her. I'm very grateful.
DeleteHave a terrific holiday, Kittie.
Brava, brava, brava!!!
ReplyDeleteTruer words, my friend, truer words! Beautiful thought, all the freedom to BE. To fly without those damn wings and...I REALLY loved the part about not writing when you don't feel like it. That, in itself, is a wonderful freedom---to just stop and breathe sometimes. I SO enjoyed this. Thank you for it! ((Hugs))
Thanks, Carol!
DeleteLearning to fly… Wow. I hadn’t thought if it that way.
ReplyDelete~Aidyl
Thanks for visiting, Aidyl.
DeleteI absolutely needed and love this post. And the next time someone puts the pressure on me I will surely smile while I say, "Nope... today is for learning to fly!"
ReplyDeleteRuth, that's music to my ears. Thanks!
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