I’ve just recently started writing in earnest again, after spending much of the last few months being caregiver to my husband.
So now here I am, three different documents open on my desktop, notebook open by my bed, and I’m struck by the word "earnest," aren’t you?
After stepping away from this work, it can feel really daunting and really, really serious to step back in.
Do I remember what I’m doing?
Do I need to prove it to myself or to my agent/editors/parents/neighbors/friends?
Do I belong in this world?
Does this work matter?
Hello, paging Kierkegaard.
It makes my head hurt.
Last night I went down to our favorite, big, beautiful, spring-fed pool for a swim at about 9 o’clock. It’s free then, for an hour, before they close up, and people pour in and loll around and bring down the day’s body temperatures and stress levels by sitting in 68-degree water and looking at the moon. And last night, there was a full brass band playing, just for kicks. Half of the musicians were standing in the water, including the tuba player. I had a hard time swimming because I was smiling so hard.
At about that same time, my friend Shannon sent me this video clip of The Morning Benders and friends, making music in San Francisco. Which also makes me smile. And I’m left thinking that the common denominator here is the lack of earnestness, right?
Passion? Sure.
Experimentation? Yep.
Community? For sure.
Utter joy? Absolutely.
Earnestness? Not so much.
Have fun today.
Namaste.
((Liz))
So good to read you! Love the image of musicians standing in the pool. 🙂 Lovely post, as always.
I wish you could’ve seen them, Jama. Soooo invigorating…
I wish you could’ve seen them, Jama. Soooo invigorating…
((Liz))
So good to read you! Love the image of musicians standing in the pool. 🙂 Lovely post, as always.
Oh, Liz! I just want to hug you–out of reassurance, in appreciation for you being you, putting yourself out there so honestly…and I really want to go swimming in that swimming hole!
—Erin
You have a standing invitation!!!!
You have a standing invitation!!!!
Oh, Liz! I just want to hug you–out of reassurance, in appreciation for you being you, putting yourself out there so honestly…and I really want to go swimming in that swimming hole!
—Erin
‘I really like the word earnest,’ she said earnestly.
My father’s middle name is Ernest & it seems like a very serious, a very sincere name.
I love the image of a brass band standing in a pool playing–it sounds like something from a surrealist film.
best to you as step into pools, step into writing, step into earnestness.
-Wendy
Yeah, I hear you. Earnestness isn’t all bad — and sincerity is very, very good indeed.
Yeah, I hear you. Earnestness isn’t all bad — and sincerity is very, very good indeed.
‘I really like the word earnest,’ she said earnestly.
My father’s middle name is Ernest & it seems like a very serious, a very sincere name.
I love the image of a brass band standing in a pool playing–it sounds like something from a surrealist film.
best to you as step into pools, step into writing, step into earnestness.
-Wendy
Being earnest is way overrated, like wearing something that itches because it looks good.
Have fun getting your groove back, because that is kind of the point.
No to itch!
No to itch!
Being earnest is way overrated, like wearing something that itches because it looks good.
Have fun getting your groove back, because that is kind of the point.
It turns out to be not so important to be Earnest after all.
You crack me up.
You crack me up.
It turns out to be not so important to be Earnest after all.
Amen to all that, especially to community. I think I’d be anxiously earnest without you all.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Amen to all that, especially to community. I think I’d be anxiously earnest without you all.
Thanks for the reminder!
You’re welcome!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for the reminder!
Lovely post, Liz. I think, for me anyway, that part of it comes from dealing with serious illness. It makes you aware of how important every moment is–how important to do what matters with it, to do what brings you and others joy. But…that can put a lot of pressure on and then comes the dreaded earnestness. It’s good to shake that off and go with the passion and joy, as you said!
Welcome back to writing! So happy to see you.
Thank you. It feels so good to be back…
And yes, the pressure of earnestness. That’s what I’m trying to avoid more than good old earnestness itself…
And yes, the pressure of earnestness. That’s what I’m trying to avoid more than good old earnestness itself…
Thank you. It feels so good to be back…
Lovely post, Liz. I think, for me anyway, that part of it comes from dealing with serious illness. It makes you aware of how important every moment is–how important to do what matters with it, to do what brings you and others joy. But…that can put a lot of pressure on and then comes the dreaded earnestness. It’s good to shake that off and go with the passion and joy, as you said!
Welcome back to writing! So happy to see you.
tanita says 🙂
I’m going to be imagining The Morning Benders for the rest of the day, singing, “La-la-la-la…” and just having the time of their lives, crammed into a room, filling their heads with music and harmony.
You have passion and joy enough for six. I know too well what you mean, as you step back into the water — but keep in mind, the river flows on, and you never step into the same river twice. Yes, you know what you’re doing. Yes, you belong in this world. Yes, your work does matter. You need not prove it to anyone. Move forward, into new waters, and know that we’re drumming and swaying, and singing backup behind you, dancing.
xoxox
Re: tanita says 🙂
Honey. You give a pep talk like nobody else I know. I’m leaping up and bowing down. Thank you thank you thank you, and la la la la….
xxxxxxx
Re: tanita says 🙂
Honey. You give a pep talk like nobody else I know. I’m leaping up and bowing down. Thank you thank you thank you, and la la la la….
xxxxxxx
tanita says 🙂
I’m going to be imagining The Morning Benders for the rest of the day, singing, “La-la-la-la…” and just having the time of their lives, crammed into a room, filling their heads with music and harmony.
You have passion and joy enough for six. I know too well what you mean, as you step back into the water — but keep in mind, the river flows on, and you never step into the same river twice. Yes, you know what you’re doing. Yes, you belong in this world. Yes, your work does matter. You need not prove it to anyone. Move forward, into new waters, and know that we’re drumming and swaying, and singing backup behind you, dancing.
xoxox