work (+ writing)

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I used to write copy for an author who had written nearly 200 books.

(I imagine he’s working on his 200th right now.)

He used to say something like:

“Writers write because they have something to say.”

And I think that’s true. But I also think…

“Writers write because they have to.”

Because they need to do it, just like a hungry person needs to eat. We write to find purpose, stay sane, and try to make meaning out of life.

Speaking of that…

Over the weekend, I went to my favorite park in Nashville — Shelby Park.

It’s a pretty damn good place to try to find some meaning in your life.

It has an incredible paved walking path and some unpaved paths through the woods too. Going for a hike there is a lot like drinking a diet soda…

You know it’s not the real thing, but it’s pretty damn close.

Anyway, as I was walking, I was thinking about where I’m at in life mentally, emotionally, you know — that whole thing. And to tell you the truth:

I’ve been burnt out lately. Purposeless. At a loss for words… which is an odd place to be when you’re a writer.

So I was thinking about that. And why I felt that way. And if there was anything I could do to get out of that state.

One of the realizations I had was this:

I gotta start writing emails like this again.

I stopped because when a national conversation about racial injustice is happening — marketing doesn’t really matter.

So I stopped writing.

Then I looked in the mirror and saw my own prejudices. I didn’t like what I saw. So I continued to not write.

And the truth is — I still have a lot of work to do.

I think working to understand and appreciate people who aren’t the same as us is the work of a lifetime. And I hope I continue that work for the rest of my life.

But I also hope that the conversation that has been happening in our country will continue to happen. That our society will embrace this conversation for the long-haul. Because I think that will encourage individuals (myself included) to continue that work as well.

So, just in case there was any confusion or if you’re wondering where I stand on this:

I believe that Black Lives Matter. I believe that I still have so much more work to do. And I believe we should all continue to do that work.

And I also believe that it’s time for me to start writing emails again. Because I find so much purpose in writing these things. And if I’m gonna stay sane and make some meaning out of life…

Writing is going to be a big part of it.

So thank you for your patience. Talk soon.

Robert