Pen and Paper
My 7 year old self used to love putting pencil on paper, since pens were out of the question at that age. Not that I wrote much versus ‘what looked like’ block letters that filled the page, but I remember care free days of misspelling wurds and creating a story one run-on sentence at a time. Graduating to pens, now that was awesome! Creating seemed to be more purpose filled since the eraser was not an option. Then onto journals and jotting, which became an everyday thing. Just a pen and paper and thoughts.
I was really good at creating short stories and tales of fiction. They lived in my brain until they found their way to the crisp lined surface of an old tree via a rolling tip amerced with dark fluid. I was horrible, however, at finishing essays and assignments in English or Writing class. My OCD and perfectionism would get in the way every time I had a project due. I am sure my teachers would agree that I pretty much sucked as a student when it came to getting my work done. I didn’t complete very many writing assignments because I never thought they were complete or good enough to turn in. Being my own worst critic was a major demise in seeing things through to completion.
Fast forward a couple decades and I am now back to pen and paper. I just can’t get the computer thing down when it comes to my hippocampus corresponding to a screen! I am still a pen and paper guy. Still a note taker — even though I get ridiculed for not taking notes. Maybe my notes just suck at including pertinent information. I digress.
In the world of pens, I have always -at least the last 15 years- loved unique and sophisticated style pens. Probably stemming from the ink and quill I had when I was bout 12 years old, which was a frustrating piece of writing equipment, but very cool aesthetically. Ink — no ink — spotty lines, they were all parts of the frustrations with the quill and ink. Now today, as I write this with a fountain pen, with an ink refill of course; it is easy to write such silky smooth lines and curves with no frustrating ink-outs(if that’s a term).
Three months ago I was at the office writing with a marble pen that I picked up about 14 years ago. It was by sheer coincidence that I found the marble pen, a roller-ball, while searching for ink for my home printer. As I was jotting some notes during a conference call, my co-worker, who I know now as a pen aficionado, whispered to me, “are you a pen guy?”. My response, ‘absolutely’! That was the 6 word exchange that prompted this grouping of words that you are reading write now. (moment for you to think about that) I have now, because of this, re-fallen in love with writing again. He handed me a pen about 5 minutes later that instigated a new era.
Michael Jordan, during his basketball career with the Chicago Bulls was arguably the greatest basketball player ever. One could also argue that he was one of the most influential figures in all of sports, ever. Each game he laced new pair of shoes. Each game he had something new on his feet. I know for myself and several other people, having that new item generates something deep down. A confidence that makes you feel indestructible and propels you through your day or activity. Think about your new kicks you bought and then went for that run. Or, how about the new shirt, just for the job interview that you nailed. That’s the way fountain pens and smooth gel pens make me feel when it comes to writing. It’s like they beg me to pick them up and write.
As my first piece of public written work in decades, I am excited to see where this ‘writing’ thing takes me. I am not going to be over critical like I used to be, but more critical of getting it completed and ‘out the door’, if that makes sense. I need to be more ‘doing’ than learning or analyzing. Paralysis by analysis — is definitely a thing! You- the reader- I am grateful for! Or even if you are absorbing this telepathically, I am grateful for you! Thank you for taking a few moments today to spend with my words extracted and regurgitated onto paper(or screen as you see it).
Now — go get something new — chart a new course — go head first…it’s begging you, whatever ‘it’ is.
