“New Horizons”. Sounds cliche, does it not? However, if the shoe fits, then wear it. And that brings me to why I even bothered to power up my laptop this morning; a strong sense that it would be a serious mistake to ignore a journey that has tugged and seduced the edges of my mind for years with its potentialities.
“The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.” I didn’t coin that phrase. I’m not that clever. W.E.B. Dubois deserves the kudos for that nugget of wisdom. And yet it speaks to the creative thoughts and musings buried in all hearts, and to the visions that grow out of a heartfelt desire to act on a dream. But life interrupts and most dreams are left to wither on the vine, and shrivel and drift away, the untaken path little more than flotsam on life’s great river of what-ifs.
Since 1996, I have been working in the criminal justice system in one capacity or another. Cop, legal intern during lawschool, defense attorney, and at present, magistrate. On March 25, I no longer will be a magistrate. Once again, I will be unemployed, but still an attorney. And that little tidbit is why you readers were subjected to the whole “New Horizons” cliche, admittedly anti-climactic for the reader, but singularly exhilerating for the author.
It’s not as if the prospect of unemployment is exhilerating in and of itself.  Being an unemployed attorney and writer/blogger is probably not at the top of everyone’s idea of success. There is nothing sexy about reaching in your pocket and emerging with lint and a couple of tic tacs.  Conceptually, it’s a hard sell and print will not be wasted in a vain attempt to otherwise convince.  The reality is that on March 26, the sun will rise in the east and set in the west and the immediate geography and landmarks upon which my eyes rest will be the same as the day before.Â
But that suits this blogger just fine. I’ll take President Theodore Roosevelt’s advice and do what I can, with what I have, where I am. The journey will be full of detours and alot can happen along the way that is unexpected. Taking on cases and churning out novels takes a lot of work, but that too is part of the journey and should provide plenty of fodder for future blogs.
Looking back on my decision to resign, I realize that dreaming and thinking of writing was the easy part, but to put thoughts into action was one of the most difficult. There is no turning back and now this aspiring novelist must put hands to keyboard and create the very vision which impelled the taking of W.E.B. Dubois’ sage advice in the first place. Wish me luck, and if you’re inclined to do so, say a prayer for this author as lance is lowered and the chasing of the illusive literary windmill begins. It should prove interesting.
The sound of thunderous applause permeates the Colosseum as the valiant gladiator strides his way over to the Imperial box to learn his fate. The crowd’s heartfelt clapping suddenly swells to an even louder roar, and, to the surprise of no one familiar with his many victories, our warrior is then granted his freedom in recognition of his incomparable bravery and steely nerves.
Joe, from 3/26/10 forward, you will passionately embrace destiny and refuse to rest on your laurels. That’s a momentous and vanishingly rare exercise of supreme will, and, certainly, a more laudable act than the likely future performances rendered by the vast, cowardly herd.* As a result, we expect much from you. Now, go sharpen your lance, boyo, and get tilting…
*Yeppers, jes’ throw a cowbell over my neck and call me Bessie ’cause, shamefully enough, I’ll admit to being one of the terminally faint-hearted, the dis-spirited majority of humanity who never really accomplish anything noble, inspiring, or even vaguely interesting during the course of their sorry little existences)… Whoa, yeesh! Am I depressing, or what?
Alea iacta est. Best wishes, my friend. I look forward to signed, first editions.
Good luck! May your truck tires never want for air and your seat be well beaded on your new journey!
Groundhog day came early for you. Best of luck.
I’ll keep you all posted. (couldn’t help that)
Out of all the people I know, you will succeed. I also know that during the process you will be bouncing off the walls, floors and ceilings…lol
You have a talent that I never knew existed until I read some of what you have written. You have an imagination and the vocabulary to be able to put your thoughts on paper, to a point that the reader is able to imagine what they are reading.
Life is going to change and the future is bright for you. So, when you put your hand in your pocket and pull out the lint and fuzzy tic tac, smile because there is change on the horizon and it is headed straight for you.
LaRhonda, I can only hope and pray your assessment is accurate. Thanks for the support. Time and print will tell. Til then, I look forward to your next comments. Keep writing
I KNOW that I am correct in my assessment. I have known you your entire life and I know that God has great things in store for you!
We would not be as faithful and dedicated to something we are passionate about if we had not failed at one thing or another. Failure does not defeat us it makes us strive for better.
You, like myself, may be afraid of failure, but it does not rule our destiny. It is not allowed.
I believe that our past is what drives our future, good or bad, and life is what we make of it. Whether we sit on the front porch with our feet on the banister, watching life pass by or get out in the middle of traffic, is the difference between failure and success.
You, my dear, are out in the middle of traffic!