Some astronomers and philosophers make the grand, if not absurd, claim that we are ten thousand things, but one substance.
Perhaps ancient stardust.
I have my own absurd claim: behind one single article by a seasoned writer is the weight of one thousand books, one hundreds movies, hours of lectures, a litany of song lyrics, countless days of conversations, dozens of poems, and so on.
And it’s this sort of commitment to working, learning, and playing hard that separates the good writer from the great.
How far are you willing to go to be absurd?
That’s not absurd. That’s just true.
Spoken like a true writer. 😀
Each day I learn I’m willing to go farther. Absurdity is the totally the way to go.
I’m proud of you Sonia.
I guess Michael Gladwell would say 10,000 hours of practice.
Yes, I agree with isabelle: 10 000 hours of practice.
Yep, 10,000 hours as discussed in Gladwell’s Outliers book. Your commentary reminds me of painting. An accomplished artist may ask a high price for a piece, but that piece of art reflects years of struggle, paint, observation, etc.
Like a Jackson Pollack piece … looks like a mess to the untrained eye, but the master knows the history behind hit.
I´m quite excited that you know about Allan Watts 😉
And the irony is that all great writers still believe they have another 1000 more of everything to learn before they’ll really be good. Only bad writers think they’re good, someone once said. Only great writers still think they need to learn how to write.
I hope I always feel a drive to keep on learning. And while there are writers like you writing, I know there’ll be still lots to learn for everyone.
You forgot coffee. One thousand shots of espresso.
Per day.
but that’s a given, right? 😉
I love this short stuff. And your absurd claim.
Can’t you say this about any virtuoso performance?
I can’t play the saxophone like Charlie Parker did because I don’t put in the practice time, the study, and the performance time he invested in his playing. It is this dedication to craft that always separates the good from the great.
While I agree with your sentiment, I am a little disappointed that you did not run with this idea. I was eager to read the rest of your post.
Your fan,
– Steve
Indeed, that is a true statement (answer to your question). And I am running with this. Just not in this post. More to come. Keep an eye out.
Far enough to slice out time every day to read, to study, and to grow. Duties pile up over my ears, and I immediately begin to shut myself off from the soil that raised me up. Thanks, Demian. True stuff.
You’re welcome Don. Glad I could inspire. 😀
Demian, the more you know and the deeper you think, you realise that you need less words to describe your thoughts. I must say that it is the best under-100 words blog post I have ever come across. Thanks.
Ahmad, there is a lot of truth to what you say … and thank you for the very generous compliment, sir! Appreciate it!
The game before the game.
Amen.