Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Quick and Easy

Those  are my two favorite words when faced with a challenge. They are, however, rarely the most accurate description for what needs to be done.

It seems like the important things in life take me longer and require more effort than I initially anticipate.

I'm not talking about work projects or home-improvements here. I'm talking about down-and-dirty self-evolution and creative output.

I have been known to force the square peg into the round hole. This gives me the illusion and satisfaction of quick and easy, but it's not. It's actually quick and sloppy, the ugly step-sister to quick and easy, that bites me in the ass and I have to start all over again.

While doing creative or growth work, my enthusiasm to get it done can only take me so far. There also needs to be room for introspection, contemplation, and especially inspiration. 

These important elements measure time very differently than I do. They have no sense of urgency. 

I am constantly fighting the feeling of not doing, being, creating, or learning fast enough. I try to remind myself that these are processes, not tasks; they have more to do with sitting and being open than with the forcing of my will.

As Fran Lebowitz once said, "The oposite of talking isn't listening. The opposite of talking is waiting."

For me, once again, it's proof that the journey's just as important as the destination.   

3 comments:

  1. "I try to remind myself that these are processes, not tasks; they have more to do with sitting and being open than with the forcing of my will"

    As a task focused person I know what you mean.

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  2. Well, that doesn't surprise me. We ARE twins seperated at birth.

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