Monday, December 28, 2009

On the Metaphoric Road Again

I don’t usually wake up this early; I only went to sleep just a couple of hours ago. But it happens and there comes a time when laying in bed, tossing and turning, trying to get back to sleep becomes an exercise in futility. Actually, first it becomes an exercise in futility - then I realize it. When I stop fighting and go with whatever it is and let it take me wherever it wants to take me, I will benefit. I know this, but I’d rather be sleeping. This morning, it would appear, I will benefit whether I want to or not. This morning I get to contemplate... things, and stuff. This morning will not begin in the afternoon. This morning I will write and whatever it is that has me up at this solitary hour will show itself – it always does.

In recent weeks I have experienced and expressed some degree of frustration in my ability to communicate. That frustration is necessarily amplified because my art and my area of study both are communication – this is not only what I do, it is my area of expertise. Writing (specifically) is not just a gift, it is also a responsibility and although I have not exactly been shirking it, it is also true that I have not kept on top of it as I should, either. Indeed, I have put aside many dark mornings just like this one in favor of not answering the call. It is always easier to stay wrapped up in comfortable ignorance and a warm bed than it is to open up to the unknown, face the darkness and welcome the early morning light. This, again, I know.

It is forever a choice between stagnation and comfort, on the one hand, and growth and enlightenment on the other. It is, once again, a question of journeys and destinations. “Are we there yet?” The answer always has to be “no.” Ultimately, there is only one destination. It is final and I am in no hurry to get there. The journey, however, is another story entirely. So what about these moments of complacency? How does one overcome the comfort of the destination, however temporary it necessarily must be? When is it time to get back on the road again?

Maybe it happens when, no matter how dark, how silent or how solitary a morning might be, the light is still too bright, the noise is deafening and the muses will not leave me be. When the discomfort of comfort becomes too much to maintain, the journey must resume again. And so it is again this dark, silent and solitary morning that the muses have woken me with their siren song, taken me away from yesterday and thrust me into the now. The journey begins anew; the destination is too far to see. It has always been this way for me – how much comfort can I stand before the road beckons me back? I know only too well that if I get too comfortable for too long, I will reach my final destination before I am due.

7 comments:

Dulçe ♥ said...

I believe when someone writes the way you do there is no way you can miss that final destination...

I love your muse, your comfortable ignorance, your solitary morning and your ability to describe it so wisely.

Pleased to meet you.-

Dulce

VV said...

My best writing always came in the wee hours of the morning, when all the noises of life had quieted down and I was too tired to block out the muses. Go with it!

Snaggle Tooth said...

So perhaps comfort and complacency are ultimately not good for us... ?

Happy New Year to you too, Mike!

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I don't think I could write anything that would make much sense at an early hour of the morning. I often wake in the early hours and stuggle to get back to sleep. Of course, I never learn my lesson and get frustrated and even more tired from not getting up when my body/brain is telling me to.

Anyway, all the best for 2010 and I look forward to visiting your blog again.

NetChick sent me by to say "Hello" :)

Helene said...

hola!

Yes SEH is back. I am happy to be relinked if you see fit to do so! I have really enjoyed seeing the photos of your son... and pooch! I love fb but there is something so much more personal about a blog to me. Its a creative outlet isnt it. Have a very Happy NY!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

The struggle for expression....Maybe it's okay to struggle and falter and be unable to communicate sometimes....The Muse Takes A Rest...lol! It will come when it comes, is my motto.....!

Thanks for stopping by Mike and I wish you a WONDERFUL 2010, filled with ALL that you hope and wish for, for you and for all those that you love.

The Zombieslayer said...

Hey, a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you too. :)

I don't really have a time or an inspiration for writing. No methodology. I just write. Sometimes it's really bad but usually I can catch the bad then delete it before anyone sees it.

I'd rather be sleeping in the morning too. I'm a night owl.

To overcome complacency, you need goal setting. Goal setting is an art.