“Without alienation, there can be no politics.”
American playwright and screenwriter, Arthur Miller, was born on this day in 1915 (died 2005)
It’s Monday. Late last week I had today’s post nearly written with a very clever title. But, like you, I’m more than a little weary with politics.
There’s been far too much alienation in this election cycle. We all feel it.
Our passion in our beliefs has caused us to argue, to yell, to post things that perhaps we would never say face to face.
Actually, and I’m not bragging, doing just that is why I got out of professional politics a few years back. I’ve tried to be better this time around. It’s been a challenge.
But I said my piece on Friday and I promise, if you keep coming back, that I’ll leave it at that.
Until I don’t.
Actually I’m directing my time seeking writing assignments and working on personal writing projects that don’t involve the election.
I’m much happier that way.
I continue my hiatus from the theatre, or at least from mainstage productions. I’ve been seeing a good bit lately, and that’s okay. There’s more to see.
My challenge now is to find those well-paying writing assignments and to do it without buying into the “one” program that can make me an overnight success, discounted today by $499.
My in-box is full of “opportunities” to write for a penny a word, or less. And it’s full of programs and offers from the industry “experts.”
Look it’s not that there aren’t some legitimately successful experts out there wanting to help me make this writing career a success. It’s just that there are a lot more who make their living by selling programs about how they can help you write your way to success.
Here’s the thing.
I can either keep looking for that magic program that will make me a success. Or I can just keep working, which is what it’s really all about.
There’s no magic program.
There’s no magic candidate.
Thankfully, the election will be over in about three weeks. And in about three months, Hillary Clinton will become the first woman President of the United States. It will indeed make history.
I, on the other hand, will still be here trying to make this writing thing work.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll have more subject material.
The cold reality is that my world really won’t change that much.
Sure, I may end up paying a little more in taxes and have to pick up a fourth job. Sure I may be a little more worried about our national security.
But for now? Day by day? Little is really going to change.
And, if you’re a person of faith, there’s really not much to worry about, right? I mean, haven’t you read the words of Jesus?
In case you haven’t, or in case it’s been a while, he didn’t say anything about who to vote for.
Maybe someday I’ll write about that.
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