Juggling Act

I watch the pins cascade and tumble in the air. I deftly catch and switch each one from right to left, and keep my eye on the movement. Every once in a while, one drops mid-spin and lands softly upright on my head.

I ponder it and never stop juggling. Is it worth it? Will it sing? Does it have reason? Does it have zing? Will it last? Will it survive? When will it start? When will it thrive?

Out of my peripheral, I spy another pin about to tumble into the game. It seems brighter than the other pins. An aura surrounds it. Quick. Decision time. Quick, quick...hurry, hurry. It must be a smooth transition. It must be now. It has to be quick and easy.

But what stays? What has hope? What has matured? What retires young?

I grab the pin just as it joins the maddening rise and fall of the others. I grasp it in my palm for a split second. Flames lick up and scorch my mind. Uh oh. This one's on fire.

The ins and out of my life. Here you go, and may you enjoy.

Ideas are just that: ideas. But apply some critical analysis and an idea becomes a plan. Mix the plan with some thought and then the plan becomes a goal. But there is still a missing element. What will be the catalyst?

For that matter...what is a catalyst?

It is movement. It is decision. It is responsibility. It is action. It is result. It is measurement. It is success even if you fail.

Vision is key. It is important to look around your environment. Maybe even more important to take the time, be patient, and absorb. Then push, push...push. Quick, quick...quick. Hurry, hurry...hurry.

Then stop. Take a breath. Take another one. In deep and out deep. Think of what you want. Imagine the tangibles that make up the warmth and beauty of life. See it. Find it. Build it. Become it. Live it.

My manuscript is under review. I pitched it to a famous Maritime writer. He asked for some sample chapters. It shocked me at first to be honest. To be face-to-face with a stage in life and recognize it for what it is.

I sent him some chapters. He wrote back literally minutes after what it would have taken him to read the samples. He asked for the manuscript. Great voice he said. Strong stuff. I want to see if it sustains its punch and spirit. I like it he said.

The pins spin faster and faster. Each seems heavier and heavier. Each seems more real. Each is an idea that grows in merit. Each is an idea that burns with potential.

The ideas flash through my mind as I grasp each pin in between the stall from hand to hand. Business plan for the urban music artist. Promotion for the book. Brand designs for clothing and shoes. Standing in front of a growing audience and mentally preparing a speech.

Still they come.

The pin slips from my head and joins the madness. It passes through the rotation and I feel its heat. It sears my soul and then I feel the branded mark it left behind as it passes from hand to the next.

Then I realize. It is the one that has been burning all along. It is the one that is now breathing in the opportunity to become more than an idea. It burns for the chance to become real. It burns to move from dream to waking life. Soon. Oh so very soon. Just be patient. Soon my story will be laid out for the world to read. Some might judge. Some might critique. Let them. At least they will have to read it to do so. I only hope that it falls into the hands of the hopeful. The dreamer. The romantic. I only hope you will all relate to a life lived above ground with dreams of living in the clouds.

Until we meet again, my friends. Until we meet again.

"It's bitter baby and its very sweet. I'm on a roller-coaster but I'm on my feet. Take me to your river let me on your shore. I'll be coming back baby...I'll be coming back for more." - Anthony Keidis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers