The priority is authoring one's life and knowing when it's time to switch direction is the key to living your real story. I'm following you precisely because you're an example of such an author. I'll always be here for what you have to say or share about the human journey Jack.
Rick, I am humbled by your kind words. Thank you from the depths of my heart.
Switching directions is something I often struggle with as it can look like giving up, but I know that is not the case with writing. This is a break to come back with refreshed energy while focusing on landing a job and just plain living in the meantime. I greatly appreciate this wisdom: "The priority is authoring one's life and knowing when it's time to switch direction is the key to living your real story."
My experience as a writer has been greatly enriched by you: both reading your own writing and all of the wisdom and support you leave on my essays. Thanks for being here, Rick.
I pushed through many weeks of challenging writing sessions (in which I strangely seemed to have produced some of my best essays) but after that voice kept barging in I knew it was time to listen. I find it much easier to stubbornly press on than to change directions. But I'm trying to get better at answering your question -- "What is it time for, now?" -- with my actions.
Thank you so much for your continual support, wisdom, and friendship, James. You have enriched my experience of being a writer tremendously.
As Rick and James have both said, I want to honor you for sensing into your own "track" and listening to where it wants you to go. Dropping the rules and "shoulds" and following the medicine. Living like this will have a sneaky way of coming back to reward you, whether in a day, a year, or in a few decades.
Thank you for this comment, Jeremy. There is so much wisdom in those words and I appreciate you sharing them with me. I am trying to follow the track one step at a time even (or especially?) when I have no idea where it is going to take me.
Echoing James, I love this: "Living like this will have a sneaky way of coming back to reward you, whether in a day, a year, or in a few decades." It's hard to believe in the present, but one must have faith that following a deep sense of intuition will be for the best in the long-run.
Thanks for your support and friendship, pal. My experience of writing has been better because of you.
Tracker mindset for the win! I'm so excited to see where this mode of operating takes you, both away from the keyboard and at the keyboard, if and when you feel called to it again.
For some reason this reminded me of the great Steinbeck quote: "And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away."
What an incredible writing journey you've had so far, and fully inspired by your break! I hope you are having a good time away from the screen and look forward to re-connecting when you're back :)
cheers to you my friend. what an amazing streak of consistency. ive been feeling the same lately. good to know im not alone. and excited to welcome you back with open arms whenever that is!
Thanks, Arman. Much appreciated pal. The break has been very nice so far and I know that when/if I return, it will be for the right reasons and with greater intentionality.
I quit substack for half a year and came back feeling much more refreshed. I recommend you do the same. It clarifies your motive. Making it more of a conscious choice than an unconcious chore.
Thanks buddy, yes you are right. It will be a nice break. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. So I'm hoping this break also refills me with energy and excitement to return.
Jeremy, thank you so much for your kind words--that means a ton to me. I greatly appreciate your support and understanding and am honoured to have you as a reader!
The priority is authoring one's life and knowing when it's time to switch direction is the key to living your real story. I'm following you precisely because you're an example of such an author. I'll always be here for what you have to say or share about the human journey Jack.
Amen: “I'm following you precisely because you're an example of such an author.”
Thank you, James :)
Rick, I am humbled by your kind words. Thank you from the depths of my heart.
Switching directions is something I often struggle with as it can look like giving up, but I know that is not the case with writing. This is a break to come back with refreshed energy while focusing on landing a job and just plain living in the meantime. I greatly appreciate this wisdom: "The priority is authoring one's life and knowing when it's time to switch direction is the key to living your real story."
My experience as a writer has been greatly enriched by you: both reading your own writing and all of the wisdom and support you leave on my essays. Thanks for being here, Rick.
Jack-this is huge. I honor your integrity and your listening to your soul, and hearing what it is telling you.
A great question in life is: “What is it time for, now?” Now being the key, the important part of the question.
I look forward to what your soul has to say, when it decides it’s time to share something. 👏
I pushed through many weeks of challenging writing sessions (in which I strangely seemed to have produced some of my best essays) but after that voice kept barging in I knew it was time to listen. I find it much easier to stubbornly press on than to change directions. But I'm trying to get better at answering your question -- "What is it time for, now?" -- with my actions.
Thank you so much for your continual support, wisdom, and friendship, James. You have enriched my experience of being a writer tremendously.
As Rick and James have both said, I want to honor you for sensing into your own "track" and listening to where it wants you to go. Dropping the rules and "shoulds" and following the medicine. Living like this will have a sneaky way of coming back to reward you, whether in a day, a year, or in a few decades.
Thank you for this comment, Jeremy. There is so much wisdom in those words and I appreciate you sharing them with me. I am trying to follow the track one step at a time even (or especially?) when I have no idea where it is going to take me.
Echoing James, I love this: "Living like this will have a sneaky way of coming back to reward you, whether in a day, a year, or in a few decades." It's hard to believe in the present, but one must have faith that following a deep sense of intuition will be for the best in the long-run.
Thanks for your support and friendship, pal. My experience of writing has been better because of you.
Tracker mindset for the win! I'm so excited to see where this mode of operating takes you, both away from the keyboard and at the keyboard, if and when you feel called to it again.
For some reason this reminded me of the great Steinbeck quote: "And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away."
Beautifully said Jeremy: “Living like this will have a sneaky way of coming back to reward you, whether in a day, a year, or in a few decades.”
What an incredible writing journey you've had so far, and fully inspired by your break! I hope you are having a good time away from the screen and look forward to re-connecting when you're back :)
Thank you, Zan. Much appreciated my friend.
cheers to you my friend. what an amazing streak of consistency. ive been feeling the same lately. good to know im not alone. and excited to welcome you back with open arms whenever that is!
Thanks, Arman. Much appreciated pal. The break has been very nice so far and I know that when/if I return, it will be for the right reasons and with greater intentionality.
I quit substack for half a year and came back feeling much more refreshed. I recommend you do the same. It clarifies your motive. Making it more of a conscious choice than an unconcious chore.
Well said! I hope this break has the same impact on me as it did you.
Rest well and may you return refreshed.
Thank you very much, Steven.
Enjoy the time, man. Looking forward to your eventual return 🤟
Thanks so much, Drew. I truly appreciate your readership and support. I'm looking forward to the break, but am also excited to return!
...congratulations Jack...breaks and boundaries give us our humanity...
Thanks buddy, yes you are right. It will be a nice break. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. So I'm hoping this break also refills me with energy and excitement to return.
I’ll miss your words which spring like magic from the screen for me, Jack. But it will make your eventual return all the better. Good luck!
Jeremy, thank you so much for your kind words--that means a ton to me. I greatly appreciate your support and understanding and am honoured to have you as a reader!