I Am a Rough Draft
And I’m in constant need of revision.
The Secondhand Inspiration Project begins with a motivational quote and ventures wherever the creative path meanders.
“Human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they’re finished.” ― Daniel Gilbert
Recently, I had a conversation with a close friend in which she made a saddening revelation.
“I am at the point of my life where I have come to terms that I will never be successful,” she confessed.
Her words struck me in the gut like an emotional sucker punch.
She continued her concession statement. “I have a family that I love. I have a secure job. I have a decent home and some money in the bank. But I will never be wildly successful like I envisioned when I graduated from college. And I guess I am okay with that.”
I did not have the right words to be her cheerleader at that moment. But hearing this from somebody that I care about and respect was jarring and heartbreaking.
Now in context, her current mental state was skewed by current events and COVID-related wonkiness. Also, she had experienced several hard-luck happenings in her personal life. I understood her melancholia and much of what fueled it.