Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A WRITER'S DAY OFF

As a writer I seldom take a day off. I'm writing something. Aside from working on novels I also have a weekly column in our local paper as well as writing features. As I've mentioned before, the freelance is finally starting to roll so even when I'm not actually writing... I'm writing. To top it off, the nominees for the Texas Music Awards have been announced. I began spotlighting the nominees each year about three years ago.

That was my first step back into the music industry side of freelancing. Freelancing, for me, is the meat and potatoes (though it's not paying the bills just yet). Novel writing is my dessert. I love dessert. But have you ever heard the phrase 'dessert is stress spelled backwards'? I can't say my mood the last couple of weeks was stress, but I was ready for a break. I was just BUSY!

As I thought about the schedule I've begun to keep since last August, I had been emailing back and forth with a man I interviewed in December. I was aware of the schedule he keeps... twenty times heavier than anything I carry at the moment. And I had to wonder... did he ever hit burn out?

I've interviewed a lot of entertainers over the years. I've had to squeeze my time with them in among tour schedules, studio time, and numerous other projects. Yet the thought of them hitting 'burn out' never occurred to me. Until I became friends with Steven Byess. So I emailed Steven and asked.."How do you keep the schedule you keep without wishing the merry-go-round would just stop?"

The powerful simplicity of his answer brought me to tears.
Music.

The balm that most people can, and will, use to sooth their life stresses is the very thing that is the mode of my life: music. If I can have a life that is inundated with music, then I can manage the small stuff.

His statement exemplifies one of the many things we have in common. I know, to think I would have anything in common with an international music conductor was quizzical for me at first. Yet the more we talked, the more I realized how everything each of us does involves passion for our art. For Maestro Steven Byess it is music. For me, it is words. Words in any context, as long as I can play with them.

But it doesn't hurt to have his (or any music fitting my current project) playing in the background.

Now, when I think I can not fit one more thing into my schedule, I think of where Steven might be at the moment. Is he in New York? Is he rehearsing in Tupelo for a symphony? Is he speaking before the state legislature? What time does his flight land in Tulsa and how will he stay awake the two and half hour drive to his next destination? Then I realize my day is easy and I am on this crazy ride because I choose to be. Because it is not what I am, but WHO I am.

What are you most passionate about? Let it be the reason you get up every morning and tackle life. For without passion, is there anything to live for?

12 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I thought so, Susan. I got the email from Steven after the JANO party... when I really needed the reality check. But that's what friends are for, right?

      Delete
  2. Nice post. Sometimes I wonder if I really am getting it all done or if things are sliding through the cracks, and I'm too blind to see them. I WANT to do it all. I saw a great quote from the University of Nebraska (yep, we're Huskers)... What trails will you blaze and what trails will you torch? Besides as the great Def Leppard says... it's better to burn out than fade away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know the feeling, Lisa. I'm finding the cracks beginning to close so maybe I won't lose anything important.

      Delete
  3. Inspiring post, Angela. I've spent the last several months riding the edge of burnout. Too much to do and too hard to give up any of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Watch for my follow-up post next week, Sharon. I think it will help. Hugs!

      Delete
  4. wow. I think I've been fading away....a disability in past few years that i've let take control of my life. It's so easy that way. ...but it's just that. ...Not fade away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's important to remember that although we might not have control of what comes into our life, we do have control over how we deal with it. Hang in there, Jean!

      Delete
  5. Nice post, Angela! Hearing from someone even busier than ourselves always seems to put things in perspective.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it does,Tara. Now I when I think about how I'm going to accomplish everything I remember why I have the 'to do' list and keep moving.

      Delete
  6. Thanks for the inspiration my friend. Blessings and chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try, Wanda. :-) Thanks for the blessings and chocolate. Perfect gift on Heart Day.

      Delete