Less Talk, More Action

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Thomas Alva Edison

"Just Do it!" Nike

I don't know how many times someone has said to me, after I've told them that I have a blog and have written several books, that they always wanted to be a writer. I can only look at them, force a half-smile to my lips, and nod politely. What I would like to say to them is: "Then write." It's that simple. Blog entries, newspaper or magazine articles, college theses, and novels do not get written by talking about writing. As Edison said, you have to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

This blog post is not about writing, it is about doing, taking action. We cannot sit and wait for either the mood or muse to inspire us into action, be it while endeavoring creative paths, like writing or music or art, or any aspect of our lives. Often, I have heard others whine about not being inspired to do this or that. Again, I can only apply that half-smile and nod, thinking about that Edison quote. Because old Tom got it right. Yes, we have to have an idea, some direction, some clue what it is we want to do--write, sing, act, build a house, graduate from college, whatever--but sitting around thinking about it will never get the job done. Less talk. More action!

Take me and this blog entry. By now I imagine you have noticed that spectacular photo I have included at the top of this entry, and, no doubt, wondered what it has to do with all this talk about action and perspiration. That photo was taken at a place right here in town, a tranquil setting in the middle of our impressive park, where locals gather to run their dogs, bike, and walk. You see, earlier today, I was feeling sorry for myself. Why? Couldn't find that perspiration, or effort, to work. I was waiting for some inspiration too. Having neither, I powered-off this PC and headed for paradise.

The great thing about walking, while surrounded by lush foliage and the sound of water cutting through the green, is that it frees up the mind and soul, at least for me it does. I am lucky that my brain is filled with tons of ideas and thoughts crashing about, but sometimes I need to escape from myself, or at least this computer, and embrace the beauty staring me smack in the face. And while I was trekking through the meandering paths, in the midst of this Eden, I not only found my inspiration for this blog entry, but my motivation to write it. In fact, I was so invigorated that I had half a dozen blog posts figured out and found myself picking up my pace so I could get back home and jot them down.

What I did was rush home to grab my camera and click that photo at the top of this post. What do you think? Was it worth it? I think so, in more ways than one.

I guess the point of all this is that less talk and more action is good advice, just look at how successful Edison and Nike are. But more to the point, it is also nice to get back to nature, clear your head, and discover that once you do, you had most of it all figured out in the first place. You just needed to roll up those sleeves...


peace,

Mike