Waiting For The Click- The Post You Won’t Read
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You can give partial credit to Julie and Brian for this post but don’t ask them to talk about it because they haven’t any idea that their words/stories sent me down this path.
Truth is I don’t know what pushed me here other than this overwhelming sense of waiting for the click. Not sure what to say or how to describe it other than I have this feeling that something is about to happen that is going to have significant impact upon me.
Maybe it is intuition or maybe it is just hunger pains, after all it is lunch time. I am opting to go for the woo woo end of things and to accept that something is about to happen. Whatever this click is, it is something that is good and that is coming from work I have done to reach this place.
I am looking at the songs I linked to in these posts and and rolling with the messages I hear. There are words, thoughts, ideas and images flowing through my mind at rapid fire pace.
If you were to step inside my head you might wonder if I was manic or just supercharged.
My Whole Body Aches
I played ball last night for 90 minutes and had one of the best nights I have had in months. It was the first time in months that my legs gave me the lift I have been looking for and my lungs were happy to cooperate too.
It was a joyous occasion for me because lately I have been wondering if the mileage had caught up with me. You can’t play as hard as I do without paying a price.
The physical pounding that comes with the game takes a toll. Don’t misunderstand, I am not complaining because I love this game.
I love the battle for the ball. So much of it is a question of will, not talent, but will.
Talent Without Will is Useless
Talent without will is useless. I hate seeing players with boat loads of talent waste it because they aren’t willing to work. I don’t have that talent. I am not tall enough to just turn and shoot over the other guys or take the ball from them.
My game is about grit. It is about desire. It is about muscle. It is about being willing to pound the ball into the post and to be fouled a dozen times when I put it back up.
I hear the clock ticking. I am not old, but you don’t see men my age playing this way for long because the body says “screw you.”
Waiting For The Click
Every time I look at my fiction I find myself writing the same two or three stories. It used to irk me because I can write about other things. I have done it and know I can do it again.
Except I haven’t.
I think it is because I have to cover these stories now. There is something there. There is something I have to do. I am waiting for the click.
Or maybe I am waiting to recognize the click.
I hate waiting. I like action. I am responsible and accountable for my life and my happiness.
Waiting feels like I am shirking that responsibility, but maybe I am not. Maybe it is just giving the lessons, moments and meanings a chance to catch up with a mind that moves a mile a minute.
People Don’t Comment When It Is About You
A reader sent me an email saying that people won’t comment when the posts are about me and not about you. There is some truth to that.
If my content isn’t something you can relate to you will be less likely to read and less likely to comment. It is worth asking What Is The Value Of Comment Sense?
It is also worth remembering that Writing Should Scare You.
Look Beneath The Surface
Last night I told my family I have grown completely intolerant of the inability and unwillingness of some people to let others talk. We don’t always know what someone is going to say so there isn’t a reason to just finish a sentence or to not pay attention because you know it all.
We don’t.
Look deeper.
That click I am waiting for is tied into all of these things. I am living my own Nashville and tied up in my own Walk The Line.
All we have is now. Today is our guarantee because tomorrow might not come or it could be very different.
That is why waiting for the click is killing me, yet I feel confident that it is all going to work out.
Life sure is peachy sometimes.
What do you think?
Katie Harris November 11, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Click.
You just echoed so many of my own thoughts that have been rattling around my head lately…When I started my blog, writing was easy because no one read it, no one knew about it, it really was *just* for me…and half of the time I couldn’t even find the click in my own work! Now that other people read my work, I find I’m often getting lost in trying to make them happy…which can be easier or harder depending on the day!
Good list. Oh man, bodies take a beating…glad yours still loves ball.
~a random rowmie 🙂
Jack November 12, 2012 at 12:44 am
Hi Katie,
Welcome to the blog. I try to write for myself first and for everyone else second. I figure if I do that I maintain passion and personality levels in my writing which in turn attracts readers. Ok, that is the theory and I am sticking to it.
Carolyn November 9, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Click. Most of the time I don’t like reading about people’s lives but you certainly are the exception. You could make the phone book entertaining, I bet.
Of your rules above, I am partial to Number 3. I do believe that we learn best from our mistakes so seize them as opportunities for education.
Jack November 9, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Hi Carolyn,
I appreciate that. I don’t know how much truth there is or not. The advantage of writing is that it allows us to paint the picture the way we wish to be portrayed.
OTOH, as one of my old readers once said blogging provides targeted socializing so it is easier to find those we like and enjoy spending time with which I am sure helps.
I like rule number 3 too. I keep reading and re-reading the entire list. It is something that I find useful.
vanita November 9, 2012 at 2:33 pm
um, i like reading about you. that person that email you? tell ’em to put a sock in it. i may not be able to relate to your story directly, but i’m not able to relate to a lot of people, doesn’t mean their story isn’t entertaining. and you Jack, your writing, it’s entertaining. it’s why i love dropping by and it’s why i’m a subscriber. i also have lots of socks to hand over to that reader.
Jack November 9, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Hi Vanita,
You know I haven’t any problem telling someone they are an ignorant redneck, snarky mom blogger or a putz with a schmeckle that requires a splint.
Well, if this weren’t a family blog I wouldn’t.
Entertainment is good and as a semi-retired class clown I am pleased to provide it.
I’m also quite happy to keep building relationships with other bloggers and fostering friendships. I love this joint and am glad you continue to visit.
Joe November 9, 2012 at 9:14 am
Waiting for the click is okay. Obsessing about it might be a problem.
Jack November 10, 2012 at 12:04 am
Hi Joe,
I see it as waiting with intent. It is like playing chess. You never stop playing the game but sometimes you watch for the opening that allows you to make the really bold move that changes everything.
Kaarina Dillabough November 9, 2012 at 7:06 am
Click 😉
Jack November 10, 2012 at 12:05 am
I sure hope that is the sound of some Finnish pancakes cooking. I am hungry. 😉
Stacie November 8, 2012 at 5:48 pm
I think it’s good to wait for the click. Maybe the best version ever of the story is still in your head!
Jack November 8, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Hi Stacie,
You might be right. Sometimes I push out the words because it is necessary and part of learning to be a disciplined writer, but in this case it is different.
Let’s hear it for the best version ever.
Julie Barrett November 8, 2012 at 4:40 pm
I love when people write about themselves and their experiences. That’s usually when their Voice shines through the best! If people don’t respond to that then they are not your Readers – they choose not to think past the nose on their face.
From an intuitive standpoint, my observation is that you get those signals about when to work, when to think, when to rest from your spiritual team/inside yourself and if you refuse to listen, you will be felled. Don’t rest = flu next week. So just follow your intuition.
Jack November 8, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Hi Julie,
When we write about ourselves and do a good job of not editing we really do get to see what lies beneath the surface. Sometimes it is pretty damn cool. We build our community around us and hope it all works for the best.
I have noticed that when I pay attention to that feeling I tend to be calmer than when I just act without regard for it.
Joe November 8, 2012 at 3:35 pm
As I close in on 50, I heard someone say recently that “70 is the new 50”. I’m hoping to God that is true so I can still play basketball and football and smash the bag and all those other things that I love to do. My son turns 13 in ’13, and things are only going to get more physical with him as he grows. He’s already stiff armed my ass once.
As many players with lesser skill have proven before, will is everything. You have the will. Keep scrappin’.
Jack November 8, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Hi Joe,
Let’s start telling people that 80 is the new 50 because we might as well try to push it off a bit. I am serious. Why can’t we do it.
With improvements in health care there is no reason why we can’t extend things for a good long while.
I think our boys are about the same age. Mine turns 13 in ’13 too, end of the year but still 13. He isn’t as tall as some of other kids, but the kid is growing some muscle.
And yep, the will is there. Takes longer to recover, but I won’t quit.
penneyfox November 8, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I know EXACTLY what you mean! I feel it too but I use the word compelled. I’ve been feeling compelled to do certain things which ends up pulling me into different directions. And the thing that suffered was my writing – or lack there of.
I think its ok if you write about yourself. You’d be surprised how many of us feel the same way and you’re just putting the words to our feelings.
Jack November 8, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Hi Penney,
How are you?
Compelled is a good word. I am really going off of the feeling and my gut but it is ok. There is a certain sense of peace and calm that comes with this.
I think when things work well the personal stuff helps us connect, share and relate to each other. It might not work across the board, but I am ok with that.
penneyfox November 12, 2012 at 5:26 am
Yes, compelled seems to be my word for 2012. This was the year that I trusted my instincts and moved forward with the path I was compelled to follow. I also find that writing about the personal stuff helps work through things and share with others. I often find someone else who has experienced the same thing and they’re looking for someone to connect to.
I’m doing pretty good. That marketing program I emailed you about back in the summer is finally done! I feel like I disappeared down the rabbit hole working on this and now I’m coming back up to the light.
I’m back and trolling your site again and will be posting the occasional comments 🙂