Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible): Well, what are you waiting for?
Kid on Bike: I don’t know. Something amazing, I guess.
Bob Parr: Me too, kid.
- “The Incredibles”
So yesterday, the man women had their feet in my neck. Everybody was trying to get a piece of me. Being in demand is serious business. I then intended to post after work, but I ended up bringing my kids to the park and taking the opportunity to complete a short story. Between editing and making sure Finge & Ladybug received sustenance, posting didn’t go down.
A couple of days ago, I had an epiphany. Actually, I had several, but this is the one I’ll share:
Life is full of forests, stumbling blocks and random bullshit that has no other purpose other than to cloud the vision. The test is having the fortitude to see beyond that in whatever manner is necessary. Chop what needs to be chopped, climb what needs to be climbed, and have some damn good boots for whatever bullshit you need to wade through; because the moment you entertain failure as an option, you accept that you have lost. When you accept that, you’re no longer trying, and when you’re no longer trying, you’re no longer living. I can’t count how many times I’ve been amongst the walking dead.
What kills us is the waiting. Waiting to go to school. Waiting for a better job. Waiting for a promotion. Waiting to be loved. Waiting to be appreciated. Waiting for something amazing to happen. There have been times when I almost asphixiated on waiting. I’ve been blinded by it. Sometimes blinded to the hand of God the Almighty saying, “NOW! MOVE NOW!!!” All because I waited for things to get a little better.
It is entirely possible that I have become as sexy as I will ever be. I may have already told my funniest joke. I may have already experienced my greatest love. I may have danced as freely as I will ever dance and sung as loudly as I will ever sing. I may have already written my best (unpublished) story.
However, as long as I live, I can still learn. And with that knowledge comes wisdom. And with that wisdom comes strength. And with that strength comes the determination to climb mountains, slay dragons, leap tall buildings in a single bound and still not be late for dinner. This life, I’ve been told, is meant only for the strong and the rich. Today, I am not rich. I may never be rich. But today, I am stronger than I was yesterday. The same will apply tomorrow.
Now this isn’t to say that tomorrow I won’t cry (and God knows that I know how to cry). This isn’t to say that tomorrow I won’t stumble (God knows that too). It’s not to say that sometimes I won’t need a shoulder, or an ear, or a hug. It just means that I’ll hold up my chin. I’ll be brave. I won’t wait for something amazing to happen. I’ll make it so.
B. Jack
