Observations From Hadleyville: January 2013

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

DONE

It’s a common cliché in war movies; the “short timer” is most likely to buy it before the end of the film. Yet, it’s become a cliché precisely because it’s so true in real life. When you’re almost done your body starts telling you about how tired you are. You begin to relax slightly. You let your guard down. It’s easy to start thinking you deserve a break and resent the time you still must fulfill to complete the task; resent “interruptions” which are really part of the job in the first place.

When you get close to the end of something it’s easy to start thinking about what comes after. When you start focusing on “after” you’re more likely to lose sight of right now. It’s something that needs repetition simply because human nature continues to fight us despite attitude and training.

After battling cancer for nine months I found myself thinking this way. The end was in sight; no cancer found in the body, only a few weeks of treatment left… And I was as antsy as a ten-year-old with spring fever. All I could think about was getting my strength—and hair—back. I wanted it done; now. I grew impatient with the endless rounds of treatment and cold medical poking and probing. But the fact is I wasn’t done yet. Bailing at that point would make as much sense as stopping an oil change procedure after only putting in two quarts.

The Apostle Paul had some advice on the subject of seeing a job through; “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Rather than calling on guilt—get back to work!—Paul gives us a good reason to see the job done. There’s a benefit to sticking it out. We’ll reap a harvest; our sanity, our family, our life, eternal life. Focus, keeping our eye on the ball, is the best way to keep a healthy perspective. It’s also the best way to make sure the “after” is worth the effort.

Now I am really and truly finished with treatments. Oh, sure, followups will follow me all the days of my life, but I am past THIS phase. Life, here I come.

A shot of the Super Deluxe X-Ray Monster

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Don the Baptist considers himself to be both intellectually deep and extremely humorous. Don the Baptist assumes no responsibility for blog browsers who cannot tell the difference between the two. Blog browsers are advised to consider any "Observations from Hadleyville" content that makes no sense to be the result of a lack of intellect or sense of humor on the part of the blog browser and not that of the blogger. Don the Baptist is a non profit guy so don't bother suing Don the Baptist as it would be a waste of time and resources.

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WRITERS

The secret of becoming a writer is that you have to write. You have to write a lot. You also have to finish what you write, even though no one wants it yet. If you don't learn to finish your work, no one will ever want to see it. The biggest mistake new writers make is carrying around copies of unfinished work to inflict on their friends.

I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it.
-Jerry Pournelle

WHAT'S THIS HADLEYVILLE THING?

Those of you familiar with Mark Twain’s works might recognize my blog title. As Samuel Clemons grew older, he became increasingly disillusioned with humanity. Towards the end he began referring to the Damned Human Race; employing the secular and religious epithet at one stroke.

I find I’ve not reached that level of despair myself. I still believe in redemption and I still see signs of nobility even among we fallen, damned creatures. So, I could not bring myself to call this blog “On the Damned Human Race.” I do however, resonate with another of Clemmons stories; “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” And viola, there you have it. “Observations From Hadleyville.”