Finishing

There is a time to start and a time to finish,
a time to sow and a time to harvest.
I have yet to figure out what time it is, when I sit at my desk to write.
I am blessed with an abundance of ideas
(This, too, I had to train myself to be in tune with.
When I am too busy, I am oblivious – I don’t see or hear them.)
But I struggle with finishing. Why?

*

Some plausible reasons:
Working on a new idea is exciting. It is
unchartered territory, virgin snow, a new love.
You don’t yet know where it goes.
But curiosity overrides fear, you follow it to find out;
You ride as far as you can on the wave of novelty
amused and intrigued while hanging onto the tiger’s tail; this may go somewhere.

*

Working on something already in place
in contrast,
feels like a drag, assigned homework, an obligation.
Prior excitement becomes repetition.
Do I really know where this is going?
Or do I now see that the detour I discovered
leads nowhere?

*

But damn it! You know that’s not true.
You get nudges from the universe;
You get nods. The work has merit, it wants to exist.
You must finish the idea,
because no one else can finish it for you.
Stress, pressure, self-doubt – do you have what it takes to bring forth this work within you?
Deep down, you know the answer is yes.

*

Alas, there is another problem.
The finishing mindset is a crowded set:
too many chefs in the kitchen,
too many passengers shouting directions,
too many wise-asses offering unsolicited advice. All in my head.
I toss away my spoon in discouragement relinquishing command, or
Shut it! I exclaim, Only the person behind the steering wheel drives!

*

Your creative self, your critical self, all your split personalities join in chorus.
Quiet!
Just pen to paper. No judgment.
That’s the only way you can rough out a complete first draft, however imperfect.
Manuscript in hand, you are ready for draft number two.
Remember, you are giving feedback to someone you love.
Exercise care and compassion. Please and thank you.

*

Proceed.

August 2023
Toronto