I’ve enjoyed writing as I’ve gotten older. Which is a very old1 person thing to say aloud. But there are a few reasons I’ve wanted to write more. I’ve even read books on how to become a writer and make money as a writer. I will NOT cancel my Writer’s Digest subscription! As with many personal projects and pursuits, it’s one that my motivation to pursue comes and goes. This blog will help me to consistently write more often. Let’s get into the rest of the reasons.
Just Do It
A few years ago, I read a book called Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. It’s definitely on my must-read list for any and everyone. One of the things I took from the book was the maxim; if you want to be something, you simply must be it. After I completed the book, I wanted to put his words into practice, so I challenged myself to do something I always felt I wasn’t good at. That thing was distance running. It’s not that I’m not athletic2. When it came to running distances, I would without fail get shin splints. Knowing this, I set out to become a runner anyway. A chance conversation with a U.S. military veteran shortly after starting out my journey to complete a 5k race, I talked about my shin splints in the barbershop. He asked if I ran heel to toe or vice versa? I had no clue. He looked at my shoes and saw the heel was far more worn than the rest of the sole, and I had the answer. He recommended the Nike Air Max 270s because of the massive air bubble on the heel. The 270s solved my shin splints problem, but as with any challenge, the problem of staying consistent remained.
I found that motivation to get up and run at 5 & 6 AM or 6 & 7 PM by thinking about how I felt after finishing a run. My body felt amazing3! Ultimately, I became a runner for the health benefits. Of course, I want to be around as long as I can for my sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons. But I did it for my own quality of life too. I think writing will help my mental health as much as running helps my physical well-being. And just like running, it’s something I enjoy4. If I want to add the title of a writer to my resume, I have to write.
Advice Through Transparency
A science-fiction trope used time and time again is the ability to upload one’s consciousness or a copy of it to the cloud. In the fiction novel I’m currently reading Recoil by J.T. Nicholas, humanity has the ability to live forever through backups of their consciousness transferred to a new body when their current body “expires.” I don’t think about death as much as I think about how I want to spend every day with the time I have left. As with most people, I only think about death when it comes near. My grandmother, Lula, and my great uncle, Woody, passed away in April and September of this year, respectively. I spoke at my grandmother’s funeral. I watched my uncle’s service via Zoom as he and my aunt lived in LA as far as I can remember. Somehow my Aunt Brenda and Uncle Woody became my favorite relatives5 even though they lived on the west coast. I love LA. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited. Every time I did, I made sure to visit Aunt Brenda and Uncle Woody. During my uncle’s service, I learned a lot about him that I didn’t know. The more I learned during his service, it helped me understand why I felt what I did towards them. He was someone who I’d be friends with whether we were family or just happened to meet at some point in life. It triggered two thoughts: 1. I need to spend more time with my relatives and 2. I hope my sons know me so well they aren’t learning something new at my funeral67. A project I have in mind will help me with number one, and this journal will help me achieve number two.
I want to write more about any and everything, so my sons can see different versions of me reflected through my opinions and interests. Oprah once said the best conversations & interviews she’s done make her say, “I never thought about it that way.” My hope is to trigger that thought within my sons and, at the very least, provide food for thought and guidance along the way.
Create More Than You Consume
I’m fairly sure I read more than most people. I’m one hundred percent certain I listen to more podcasts than most people. While podcasts have gained popularity of late, I’ve been a constant listener since 20078. I rarely listen to music if I’m riding in the car by myself or with the boys9. I have a long attention span. If I’m interested, I will finish it. I can devour a two-hour podcast or a 13-hour audiobook as long as it is entertaining or educational10. I love a good story in any medium.
At some point, a part of me got an itch to create and not just consume. I did have a podcast for a time. I took a stab at coding. I did learn how to create websites. I wrote here and there but never as much as I wanted. As much content as I’ve consumed, I think I have a pretty good eye for it. Or I may just like what I like. Either or works for me. Today is about niches. I’m sure someone else interests align. I hope to use this platform to create across different mediums. Reviews of books, music, movies, and TV shows I like. Thoughts on current events and popular culture. I hope to even write and share short stories.
In the end, I doubt I will create more than I consume when it comes to content. It’s just too much great content out there. However, when it comes to pouring into the lives of my sons, I’ll be able to give more than I take because I will give them my all.
Enjoy
A collection of thoughts, interests, and things a dad wants his sons to know.
- Washed! [↩]
- ’92 New Carrollton Cougars 70lb. football team MVP here! [↩]
- After a glass of water and catching my breath [↩]
- Clearly I’d do it for free! Nobody’s paying me. Yet. [↩]
- I love the rest of you though! [↩]
- Dark? [↩]
- I actually don’t want a funeral. Just spread my ashes in the Caribbean Sea. Thanks in advance. [↩]
- Shout out to Bill Simmons, the pod father! [↩]
- Barring any special requests for music from Ethan. [↩]
- Pro Tip: Listen at 1.25x or 1.5x speed. [↩]
