January 1, 2016
I try to write something every day. It might be a future blog post, something I’m speaking on, a story that comes to mind or something for work, but I try to write something every day.
Sometimes I get carried away and 8 pages later I can barely even stand reading it. Sometimes I start with a word count and an idea and see how much life I can find within that word count.
“Chris, you should have a Twitter… you’d be hilarious on Twitter. Why don’t you have a Twitter?”
Because holding ALL OF THIS to 140 characters is insulting. And I don’t want to insult any of you. Nor do I want to be another link litterer. If only we apply the same thinking to someone that throws trash out their car window on the freeway ($500 fine and or 6 months in jail) to somebody that throws stupid links on the internet… a boy can dream.
Back to the task at hand, it’s been a personal rule to write something every day. Since this blog has become nothing short of a confessional for me, I should tell you that I fail a lot. Writing is the easiest thing to NOT do. It means there’s more time for my family or for the house. It means there’s more time for entertainment or cleaning up. It means there’s more time for the fish tank.
So when my friend looked me square in the eye a few weeks ago and said “You need to get back to writing something every day… NO EXCUSES.” I sort of blew him off. But the thought never left. In a wooly sweater sort of way, I find it to be a little itchy. It was kind of a compliment… with sandpaper. It was a word of encouragement that came with its own little dirty look of failed expectations.
How to write every day, even if it’s just a few words, and be held accountable? Hey, I have this blog…
So welcome to “Daily.” I think it’s going to be different than what you’ve become accustomed to. I imagine that there will be days when I’m only going to write “Something.” Philosophers and the habitually over-extended will appreciate those days. Other days, you’ll probably get a vent or a rant or mindless wandering as I work through these few breaths we call life. I can promise that it will be fresh and not packaged. It will be organic and raw. You’ll get a few glimpses from my journal. You’ll walk with me through passages of Scripture that mean something to me.
Let me say this in that regard… I am no trained theologian. I am, at best, an explorer in this universe and I’ve set my compass to my faith. It’s taken me to some crazy places and I don’t agree with everybody around me on every topic… but that compass and that journey have taught me that I don’t have to, and neither do you. Some of you have set your compasses on other things and in your journeys are vastly different than my own. I need each of you. You ground me in the singular idea that any journey that exploits or excludes is ultimately pointless. It is purely by unfortunate coincidence that “I” is at the center of the word “Faith.” Too many live as though that actually means something, at the cost of their humanity, their dignity and in my opinion, their true spirituality.
I will write things that scare you. I will write things that scare me. I will write things that surprise both of us. I will be “wrong” often and I may be “right” occasionally.
I’m not writing these posts to be an authoritative expression of anything other than wandering. Wandering is really the only thing I’m supremely good at. I’d like to think that writing comes in second, but it’s not that close.
Enough for today. Happy New Year.
And welcome to “Daily.”
P.S. For those that are truly concerned, the “normal” blog posts will continue as well. Some of you are relieved…
4 Comments
I wish i could get into this habit of writing, but it doesnt come easy for me.
I don’t think it comes easy to anyone, Bill. Two days in and I’ve barely slid in under the “deadline.” I intended to write earlier today, about something else, and instead of making that happen, it was 11:20 when I finally had a few moments. For me, it’s just something I’ve got to want to do. I’ve got to want to write more than I want anything else. Thanks for the comment, I hope you’re well.
Go for it Chris – I’ll be cheering you on
I am, at best, an explorer in this universe and I’ve set my compass to my faith. It’s taken me to some crazy places and I don’t agree with everybody around me on every topic… but that compass and that journey have taught me that I don’t have to, and neither do you. Some of you have set your compasses on other things and in your journeys are vastly different than my own. I need each of you. You ground me in the singular idea that any journey that exploits or excludes is ultimately pointless. It is purely by unfortunate coincidence that “I” is at the center of the word “Faith.” Too many live as though that actually means something, at the cost of their humanity, their dignity and in my opinion, their true spirituality.
If everything we wrote was blah…nothing would get read. Living life in the “I” column doesn’t allow us any explorer ability at all. My faith is not about me, I live in the truth of what is said in the beginning of Acts, God created us to go out and talk to others, about Jesus and this walk with God. That scares most people right out of their socks. They simply want to be forgiven and then left alone…you want me to what? is often the question that arises from there.
You are more than you let yourself be. I cannot remember where the quote comes from, but I like it all the same. We are the hold back not God, not parents, not life, us, me, I. If we hold back, what are we holding back?