♥
Life's Inspirational Valiant Endeavors
~ Whatever It Takes! ~
We, the
storytellers, delight in bringing illumination to the greatest of lies, and when we’re feeling particularly disagreeable with the way of things, as we are sometimes
wont to feel, we especially find our peace in the unraveling of those festering
subtleties of truth. And though we accomplish this by introducing our own
truth, our own voice to the page, our actions offer the same to those who do
not have a voice or are, not-so-simply, afraid to use it.
I think often about
the subject of my writing, whether it serves as entertainment (I can dream)
or even for the purpose of raising awareness, but never do I wonder about the
reasons why I write. There is only
one answer to that question, and it sure doesn’t feel as though it’s of my own
making. Though, I often wish my inner voice was more prolific
on the page, I realize, it just is what it is. Or is it? The thing is – I don’t
know the answer to that question.
Today, I find
myself wondering who does. Writing certainly does take a heaping heart full of
stamina. Well, and the capacity for boldness, restraint when it’s called for, and
a whole lot of mettle. As writers, we
know this. But what they don’t tell ya when you first pick up a pen to write your story, is that you’ll
more than likely experience more than your share of heartache, leaving you with
– and to steal a most famous line – the audacity of hope.
This past Saturday,
April 28th, was a birthday of note. Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Harper Lee, turned 86. Her novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird” is not only my all-time
favorite but it remains for me after all these years, a beacon of hope…yes,
but more so, of faith; the belief in myself that I can achieve in my writing,
what I long for in my dreams – To make a difference and to be heard.
Nelle Harper Lee is, no doubt, a tough act to follow. What set her "coming-of-age" story apart from the rest was that it didn't end with her characters, Scout or Jem, Atticus or Boo Radley. She had something spectacular to say, and boy did she say it; dropping out of law school, devoting eight years of her life to finishing the story inside of her.
I guess in the end, that is the answer to my question. Do I have what it takes to drag my story out of me, kicking and screaming like the child that it is? It's soul-stirring questions like these that my great grandfather's words come back to me, gently nudging me forward, with a boot in my rear!
"Whatever it takes, I happen to have it!"
~ Grandpa Willie Ball
Now, that's some mettle I'd like to wrap my brain around!
Peace My Friends!
“The best
way out is always through.”
~ Robert
Frost
