Lighting Candles

I decided not to give up. That's quite a trait, you know...waiting, idling in place as the world around you turns and you're sitting (or standing) in place just waiting for the stars to burn. Bringing your wish to life. Semi-stars promising potential, though not negative, are not enough. You need the brightest stars, then the moon, to light your way. Each day is some sort of prison, whether created by yourself or others, or just the foundations of circumstance, who knows. What matters is that it is there, and while it is important not to forget in order that you do not lose the fire or the drive; what is far more important is to shift your focus onto your solution. Making ROCK BOTTOM your new home, only to burn it down later and use the old stones to build a new one. The DREAM, if you will.

The struggle is quite obviously real; as an artist of any sort, rejections that stab you from the pearly gates leading to your success (whatever that may mean to you) sting once they’ve stricken the flesh. Sure, everyone around you thinks you’ve either failed already or that you’re about to…some might even entertain the idea that you are forever chasing a pipe dream. Fuck it, maybe you are, but that’s no one's business. Besides, everything around us was someone else’s pipe dream once…now look. Ha!

Perhaps you’re in limbo, which is basically where I am. Waiting, with your stars just blinking lightly above you in the night. Now of which are very bright yet. But they will be.

Some of you might be lucky enough to have that ONE person by your side, that one, single cheerleader rallying for you and holding the parade that celebrates your brilliance. Some of you may not, to no fault of your own...that’s OK too. There are times when you alone must face your demons, standing tall above your naysayers…only to prove them wrong once you’re towering above them. Coffee (or brandy) in hand.

Take a break from your work occasionally. Drink something warm (it is Autumn, you know) watch a good film, curl up with your pets, eat junk food (or don’t), and meditate on something else. Inspiration comes from various things in life; sometimes they are laying in the simplest of places. Read a book, magazine, article, listen to music, a podcast, craft something, clean, sit outside, or walk through a park. Go to a party, even if you don’t want to, do something to distract all those creative pieces in your brain that will fit together at some point while you’re off doing something else. Do not let your work consume you. Determination is one thing, and obsession a whole other. If your work is being rejected, pay attention to the silver linings in those declined representations. For example, I received one yesterday that praised my writing, but they wanted more of characters that were far too minor to the story itself. Adding anymore depth to them would change the focus of the story, which I do not agree is a positive change. Try to do that as well, know when to leave your work as is, and know when changes might be necessary.

Well, I’ve rambled quite a bit…oops! The point is, most things, if not everything, is not permanent. A temporary problem can be devastating...but it is just that. TEMPORARY. The dark will fade when the light comes in. Until then, light a candle and keep doing whatever it is you’re doing to reach the light.

The night ends. Even in Alaska.