Painting by Sally Rosenbaum
It’s early morning. A kitty next to me on the bed is kneading my bathrobe. Ouch. Ouch. Tap. Tap. I’m typing–ouch–while the feline massage continues.
I tend to avoid zen discussions about writing. There’s an awful lot of talk out there about the specialness of being a writer, of the care we must take to protect our Muses. We are storytellers. We can change the world. I do believe that.
But bus drivers, teachers, and doctors, too, can change the world. As can cooks, plumbers, editors, audio technicians, movie directors, grocery store managers, factory workers, and veterinarians.
I prefer to consider myself part of the community of People Who Do Their Best. I believe we’re all called to do something with our lives that brings grace, or a sort of ease, to the world. In my little corner, I tap away at my laptop with two rescued tabby cats and a black lab mix nearby in the hopes that my labor will alleviate some pain, somewhere, by lifting a veil and giving someone a peek at the rich complexity of life. Maybe it will make them feel less alone.
And that’s pretty much all I need or want to say about my being a writer. The rest of my posts on writing will be about the nuts and bolts of it. Or other things about writing…I think it would be fun to interview other writers. But I will most definitely keep my blogging at the level of my wanting to be a part of the community of People Who Do Their Best. It’s a much larger community than the world might have us believe, and I’m proud and grateful to be struggling along with everyone in it.
