“Work hard, think hard, be honest, and spend little – this will “make common gold”.”
The Humbugs Of The World
American businessman, co-founder of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, P.T. Barnum, was born on this day in 1810 (d. 1891)
It’s July 5 and we’re not officially closer to 2023 than we are to 2021.
As a wearer of the red suit, I’m even closer to the beginning of the Christmas holiday season…which is somewhere around July 15 if Hobby Lobby is to be believed.
I’ve said before, perhaps early and often, that there’s nothing magical about the turn of the calendar pages.
And now that I’ve reached that age where I ask if you will still need me, feed me, and send me a Valentine, the pages of the calendar seem to fly off much more quickly.
What we must decide then, as Gandalf said, “is what to do with the time that is given us.”
I took some time yesterday to work on that, mapping out what has to be done, what I want to be doing, which of both is profitable, or expensive.
I am once again reminded that I can’t do it all, and I shouldn’t try.
But I also shouldn’t stop.
I’m getting mixed messages from the smart people I follow.
I’ve talked about how one person suggested focusing on one project at a time and getting that done. That helped me complete Cat and Pig A Story of Friendship…which is still available for purchase and review on Amazon.
But then last week Steven Pressfield quoted a producer friend who said to him:
“You’re a writer. At all times you have to have at least three finished scripts and half a dozen in the works. In a meeting, when a producer says, ‘Steve, what else have you got?’ you have to be able to rattle off four, five, six projects—and be able to pitch ’em all with full professionalism.”
Great.
On the one hand I have that many projects.
On the other hand, I do not have that many finished projects.
But, I took it to heart and spent the time listing all of the various projects I have in whatever state of completion, or complete disaster, they may be.
I also realized that this producer was talking about her job. It’s what she does.
My projects are what I do in addition to my day job, and my weekend job.
Available at By the Sea
In the best of all worlds, they would be highly successful and replace one or both of those jobs. But that’s not happening yet.
So, to paraphrase the White Wizard, all I have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given me after work…or something like that.
In the second-best of all worlds, I’d only have one main creative interest and not dozens, or hundreds if I can’t keep off of Pinterest.
I don’t, so I take time like I did yesterday to list everything and try to prioritize. Not everything is going to get done. In fact not everything is going to get attention.
On a side note, I do think I’m finally onto something by blending the writing and the art to produce children’s books. More to come…
I find myself thinking that 2023 will be here far sooner than any of us are willing to admit. I don’t want to be writing a post about all of the things I did not accomplish in 2022.
So, I stop, breathe, make a list, check it twice, and get back to work.
As soon as I figure out what to work on.
NOTE: I won’t be posting on Wednesday and Thursday. I’m helping the oldest offspring move back to Atlanta. Try to carry on without me.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1801 – David Farragut, American admiral (d. 1870)
1950 – Huey Lewis, American singer-songwriter and actor
1958 – Bill Watterson, American author and illustrator
1963 – Edie Falco, American actress
THINGS YOU SHOULD READ
After 30+ Years, NPR Cancels Declaration of Independence Reading Townhall
“This July 4th we break with tradition,” tweeted Morning Edition host Leila Fadel. Instead of reading the Declaration of Independence — as National Public Radio has done every Fourth of July for more than three decades — the broadcaster put on an America-bashing feature asking “on this July 4th, what does equality mean?” Read More.
Woke employee who refused to work while ‘mourning’ Roe v. Wade fired New York Post
A woke Universal Music Group worker claims he was fired for “speaking up” about abortion rights — after he admitted he refused to work because he was in “mourning” over the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read More.
Disaster After Impractical Jokers Get A Hold Of Biden’s Cheat Sheet The Babylon Bee
“Okay, start with a card saying ‘YOU pick HER nose,” said James Murray, cackling as Biden took the card from Sal and dutifully jammed his finger in Elizabeth Warren’s nostril. “Alright, let’s step it up – how about ‘YOU trade Alaska to Putin for a calendar of HIM shirtless.” Read More.
BENEDICTION
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
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It’s July 5 and we’re not officially closer to 2023 than we are to 2021.
I’ve talked about how one person suggested focusing on one project at a time and getting that done. That helped me complete Cat and Pig A Story of Friendship…which is still available for purchase and review on Amazon.
After 30+ Years, NPR Cancels Declaration of Independence Reading
