Most of us are familiar with some version of the old Scottish proverb, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”
Well, I’m beginning to think this very same proverb might be the theme for the entire year of 2020.
Per my previous post, last week I was on cloud-nine after it appeared I would be getting an exclusive interview with one of Anthony Bourdain’s best friends and writing an article commemorating Tony’s birthday on June 25th. I'd be publishing an article on my birthday (June 18th). It felt serendipitous.
However, good fortune and opportunity have proven mercurial once again. Zamir contacted me this weekend to tell me his agent had a change of heart. He apologized and said he may still be able to do the interview later this year. To be clear, Zamir is a genuinely nice person and I'm placing no blame, it was out of his hands.
As many of you know I’ve been a writer for a very long time. I learned early on the profession is extremely tough, it’s one fraught with seemingly insurmountable challenges and disappointments. You must develop a very thick skin if you wish to be successful in it and maintain any semblance of emotional balance.
At this stage, this kind of last-minute change of heart would’ve been a minor disappointment and I would have brushed myself off and moved on. Being a writer certainly teaches you one thing, that you're so much stronger than you ever would have guessed.
"Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it." — Eliza Tabor
This time it really stung and it, honestly, took a few days to recover from it. It felt like one of those punches to the gut that knock the wind out of you. I hadn't had that feeling in quite a number of years. Frankly, the impact of it was surprising to me and a bit embarrassing.
I had such big plans for this article and had already invested hours into it. C’est la vie. That is life, at least the life of a writer and it’s the life I’ve chosen after all. I would have it no other way. For each home run in this business there are a multitude of swings and misses that usually go unseen.
The Lesson
As I always try to do when I cross paths with disappointment and challenges in life I look for the lessons. After a few days of soul searching I’m fairly satisfied that I’ve found those lessons. I feel considerably better now and stronger for it because I know I’m not likely to make those same mistakes again.
That Scottish proverb is true.
The best-laid plans often do go awry. I've learned that, more often than not, something far better is waiting for you on the other side. I'm excited and a little anxious to see what they might be.
I wish you all a good week!
Eric Vance Walton
(Gif sourced from Giphy.com)
*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
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