To be a builder, you must build. To be a harpist, you must play the harp.

That’s my paraphrased version; here’s the actual quote:

“…the virtues we acquire by first exercising them, as is the case with all the arts, for it is by doing what we ought to do when we have learnt the arts that we learn the arts themselves; we become builders by building and harpists by playing the harp. Similarly it is by doing just acts that we become just, by doing temperate acts that we become temperate, by doing courageous acts that we become courageous.

In my life, I have always wanted to write. I can think back to at least 4 or 5 different attempts at writing ambitious novels or creative writing projects that ended in overwhelm and disappointment. I didn’t know what I was doing.

I’d tell myself, “I’ll make time for this later.”

The only thing that materialized was the “later” part. Nothing else. Pretending I’d get around to it later kept the goal locked in perpetual procrastination. Loading. Loading. Loading and never acting on it.

Drawing on a wide variety of experiences, I always felt as if I were doing what I was supposed to do. However, the baseline feeling of discontent always loomed. An ever-present yearning and aspiration for more stuck with me. Convincing myself that deeper immersion would supply purpose, I often find myself overcommitted and disinterested at the same time.

Life has been a journey of ups and mostly downs, arriving yet again at a period of reinvention. A familiar struggle of purpose and identity with an emotional coloring of frustration that I would prefer not to pass down to my son. I find myself trying different things, learning how to outline and structure a few businesses, studying philosophy, and reading as many books as I can. The feeling of contentment only comes when I write.

Journals, logs, papers, project outlines, notes, and shopping lists. I think in outlines and organization.  I search for ways to make it sound and look appealing. I lose time reworking sentences and enjoy playing with the words and structure. It’s where I spend my free time. Pen to paper, fingers clacking away. I’m entranced by it. I’m proud of it when it’s done.

I want to be better at it.

Having never written for an audience other than work-related outlines or papers submitted to college professors, I’ve decided this would be a good place to start. As good a place as any.

I want to pull from my wide variety of experiences and chronicle my growth in one place for others to read. This blog offers a different writing perspective, allowing me to engage with an audience while sharing both my triumphs and failures. I aim to work through problems and present solutions I’ve discovered along the way.

This blog is not just about me; it’s an effort to understand who I’m becoming and to help others in the process as I figure out what that process looks like. I don’t believe my story is necessarily more unique or intriguing than anyone else’s. I don’t envision a million followers eagerly awaiting my next writing session. Instead, my goal is to share my journey, to document my growth, and to assist others on their paths as well.

I look forward to the journey.