Today I had a conversation with a fellow writer about the need to write every day. I’ll be honest, short of these ten minutes I don’t always write every day. That used to be okay. I used to have the mental focus and acuity to pick up a story, write a bit, put it down for a week, and then start right back up again. That no longer feels realistic. Another friend helped me to relate that sensation to the idea of working out my body. See, both are systems that become harder to train and need to be trained more regularly over time. The muscles struggle with age and specified disuse. The mind gets cluttered with life’s daily distractions and the responsibilities that form every hour.
Somehow recognizing that the carefree kid I used to be isn’t necessary expected to be the mature writer I am today helped me to understand that the way I approach writing needs to mature with me. It is such a simple and small lesson, but a pivotal one.
Some Thoughts:
- In 1862 the Revenue act of 1861 took effect, which led to ten years of taxation which eventually turned into a flat tax rate as of 1894—an act that was eventually repealed, sadly. I think we could benefit from a flat tax. Unfortunately, the courts at that time found such a thing to be unconstitutional.