I have listened to John Tesh on the Radio. Only once. I think that's probably enough.
In fairness, when Craig and I first started dating I caught him listening to Delilah. If he reads this, he probably won't talk to me for a week.
I was making a Target run and couldn't bear another minute of NPR analysis of the election, so I started surfing frequencies. John Tesh's voice spoke to me.
"Identify the one thing that brings you passion, gets you up in the morning, and stimulates you."
I know what you're thinking. I thought of Grace. I thought of Julia. I thought of Craig.
Nope. I didn't. It was not my family that came to mind.
I kept listening as John implored his listeners to identify a hobby or an interest that "makes them feel alive."
I have heard this very same message wrapped in a different paper, delivered by a different voice, too many times to count. The thought that always occurs to me when I receive that information: "yeah, right." My life's too gritty for that schmaltz, and I'm way too tired to pay attention to some new-agey message about self-fulfillment.
Only I'm not. Part of me feels like I'm starving for the very inspiration John was speaking about. Thing is, I know what gets me going, what provides sustenance for my brain: writing.
I nearly had to stop the van when I admitted that deep down I have a teeny-tiny dream that I will be able to write something bigger and better than the posts I put together here.
John's message wasn't only about identifying your passion though (of course not). It was also about living your dreams (and a sugary substance started to ooze out of my radio dial). I decided right then, at that very moment, with John Tesh speaking in my ear, that I needed to write something for publication.
And I did just that. And I sent it off today. And I'm sure it will be rejected. And I don't care. For once in my life, I admitted that I want something, and I made that admission without fear.
I'm either cracking up or getting real. I guess John Tesh will do that to a person.
3 comments:
You have more courage than me! I think this is why we are bonding through cyberspace! I can't wait to hear if you get published. I hope you do!
Ellen! I forgot about your blog, but came across the URL when I was cleaning out my KU email - I clicked on an email from you to write down your address and saw it tagged at the botton. I must rescue you from John Tesh! I will not let Macon drive my friends to listening to that! Next thing, you'll be buying Kenny G CD's! I'll be there in about two weeks - until then, step away from the Tesh!
:-) Lindsay
P.S. Where did you send your writing? It takes some guts to put yourself out there! If it doesn't work out, you can always burn your rejection when I flame up my teaching evals!
Laughing at myself for admitting that my inspiration came from John Tesh. I know what everyone was really thinking while reading this post: turn the radio off!!!!
Truth be told, the idea was floating around my brain for awhile. It just took me awhile (read years) to get the nerve up to send something out.
Post a Comment