We all have stories, hobbies, favorite sports teams, pass-times, shows, and adventures we like to pursue – causes we believe in and groups we love to be around. These are great companions to us as we live our lives, giving us some enjoyment and special memories which we’ll treasure, forever. It’s like when I held my first book, in printed form, in my hands for the very first time – it’s an amazing memory, very special. I can also recall going to my first science fiction convention many years ago – when they opened up the dealer’s room, it was like I was a kid on Christmas morning. I was in college, but I felt thevery same excitement I did as a small child. I still feel that way a little, even these many years later.
However, there are times when those enjoyments must be put aside and life’s necessities tended to. This week was one of those times for me, and I’m now standing at a crossroads, of sorts, thinking about the next phase of my life. Will things change? Yes – they always do. “How” is always the more interesting question. Some ask “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” I don’t think I’ve ever thought that far ahead, honestly. So far, there hasn’t been much of a point. Why? How can I say that? Well, I kind of like Yoda’s complaint against Luke Skywalker – “Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh.” When it comes to some aspects of my life, I tend not to dream of sallying forth on some great new adventure at every turn. There are those with that bent, but I have learned that is not me.
After all, creating grand plans foolishly presumes that we have enough answers and resources to make them come true. Even the very rich can be sidelined by a debilitating illness (think Steve Jobs) or a sudden collapse of fortunes. I’ve known multiple people to jump with both feet into a start-up or entrepreneurial venture – and very few if any who weren’t jumping right back out again in a few months to a year. It’s not that some don’t succeed, some do! Many, however, the majority … don’t.
This week has caused me, however, to start splitting the difference between keeping my focus on where I am and what I’m doing and looking to the future. Perhaps, it’s time for me to pursue some strategic upgrades to my education. Perhaps, it’s time to starting thinking about the next great adventure, praying about it, and remembering it may start when I least expect it. Does it mean I’ll disengage fully from what I’ve done here? Right now, no, I don’t think so. Does it mean I plan any immediate life changes on the large scale? No, but I’m starting think about them, watch for them, and consider them more closely. Oh yeah, and maybe dream some crazy dreams – just a little bit. Just enough to whet the appetite and stir the soul.
Best to you and yours… Purebred is ready to publish in Kindle and softcover form, and I’d really like to try to get an audio book out there, if I can. We’ll have to see. At this point, I’d say Purebred is targeted very late in this year or fairly early in the next – we’ll just have to see how it goes!
See you in the future!
JTL