My inspiration for life is comes from what I’ve seen. Life can be complex with the everyday grind. Work, sleep, eat, repeat cycle. With that framework in place, we face the constant barrage of choice. Do you buy boot cut, skinny, straight leg, slim boot, relaxed, drop crotch skinny or low rise slim? Those are just choices for jeans. There is a lot of things biding for our time and scheduling time to fit everything in is a task unto itself. Where do you find the time in 24 hours?
A barbershop discussion became an awkward back and forth when Kev said you don’t have to live to work. The men waiting for my fade to be fine tuned were perturbed with the statement and my agreement, “I’m not letting a job give me grey hairs. It’s just not worth it, I don’t live for work. I work to live.” I explained that the concept is a state of mind, but as I utter the words, I realize that this debate is useless. As a state of mind, their mentality could never be changed by a simple discussion.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The old dog has to teach himself, in order to learn.
The reason I mention this is because I’m an open minded individual. I question what I don’t believe and research what I’m unable to understand. Which brings me to today’s video. I can be found reading tirelessly week after week to achieve my goal, but in doing so, I’ve learned numerous aspects about myself and the world.
I stumbled upon a Will Smith video that opened my eyes. It was like a bird following crumbs that lead to the loaf. The film “the Pursuit of Happyness” led me to you tube interviews with Will on studying the roll. From there I moved to Chris Gardner and in turn, I found this.
Running and Reading, it’s eloquent how simple it sounds. Both metaphors for perseverance and education are my keys to life. This belief that you can beat the little man inside and read to attain the riches of the world is beautiful.
I was working out the toxins of weekend long bachelor party bender. I was at the point of exertion, my thought was “I’m going home, I think I’ve done enough”. What followed next was a pros/cons battle about the benefits of staying/going. This video was what kept me there. This video is what pushing through is all about. I told my thoughts, “you can fuck right off!”. Crass, yes, but necessary. There will be plenty of times in your life when you just don’t want to do things because they’re difficult or time consuming – Run and Read.
Choices, beliefs, exhaustion, all of these things will come into play and each one can be solved simply. I was actually not going to write today. I reached my month’s goal for the blog and am steadily progressing with the feature film I’m writing. Why would I continue on a day made for vegetating? Well, you know the answer, so without beating a dead horse, think of these two things when you want to give up.
Carpe Diem Que
A Decade Under the Influence
31 JanFilm, music and writing are my passions. I have been engaged with all three crafts since the first time I laid eyes on the big screen version of Teenage Mutant Turtles. I can describe the appearance of the theatre 20+ years later. My marriage with the craft has been a rocky ten-year tenure. I have been a horrible husband, I neglect my wife on the regular. Can I ever gain her affection back?
When I wrote the Motivational Monday piece on achieving a new goal every month, it was always the intention to practice what I preach. This February, I begin to fully immerse myself in screenwriting. Armed with Syd Field, Viki King, Blake Snyder, Robert McKee and Joseph Campbell. All geniuses in their own right. Viki King published a famous novel, Write a screenplay in 21 days. This is perfect for my purposes, as February is the shortest month and isn’t too far off the mark.
I spoke to my 70-year-old gym partner, Paul, yesterday after introducing him to Steven King’s: On Writing. He was picking my brain about different aspects of the writing craft. After finishing my set of Sumo dead lifts, I pondered why I wasn’t taking advantage of the advice I was giving. Another case of, do what I say, not as I do.
I ditched improv class last night due to weather conditions and poor tires. My detour was a b-line to the book store. This has to be the most therapeutic experience I’ve had in over two weeks. The success of a Gentleman’s guide to being a MAN! scared the hell out of me. It’s always difficult to follow-up a success with another success. If you don’t believe me, just look at all the failed film sequels. You’ll be hard pressed to name five great sequels.
So, here I am with an abundance of half written scripts and nothing to do but forge ahead. I put enough pressure on myself, which usually paralyzes me. My boo says she feels like, “her excellence is my mediocre”. That shit rocked the hell out of me and reverberates to this day. It’s not often that someone hits me at my core. She is absolutely right, I’m a perfectionist in almost all aspects of what I do. It’s a gift and a curse. That being said, I’m going to complete this task.
It’s like I told Paul, “you write the first draft with your heart, door closed and the second with your head, door open.”
Twenty-eight days until the Wing Man is complete.
Carpe Diem Que