Bad at Everything

It has recently come to my attention that I'm not good at anything. No no; no one came out and told me as much, but after a brief self-evaluation, I've discovered that my past is filled with professional failures that have defined the person I am, and I'm not liking what I'm seeing. (I won't take the time to list them all here; I have neither the time nor the inclination to relive disappointment, and it's likely that it may bore you, anyway. Besides, there isn't the room).

I don't recall the last time someone said to me, "You know, you are truly talented," or "I love that you are so good at this," or even, "nice job," and I'm starting to believe the silence and blank stares that greet me when I attempt something I like.

OK, I admit it; I'm not very good with criticism -- constructive or not. I tend to take it personally, even though I'm aware that sometimes it isn't personal. Still, I don't take it well and I should learn to have a thicker skin. Someone once said that without criticsm one can never grow, and I suppose they have a point. I've never had a mentor to guide me which may have something to do with it, I don't know. But as I approach the summer of my life, it would seem that I would have found my niche by now. Unfortunately I haven't, and I don't know if I ever will.

Writing Style

Writing styles are as varied as the snowflakes that cover a Michigan yard in January, yet it would appear as though not every style fits every situation. News writing, for example, is very different from creative writing, and if you fill pages of your novel-in-progress with detailed descriptions of Joe Blow's living room, you may not necessarily be a good fit as a journalist. A news writer is required to give the five basics: who, what, when, where, why, and if he or she doesn't do that, the readers may feel hung out to dry when reading the story in their local newspaper.

Conversely, if one is reading a novel, if the sentence, "Joe walked into the living room" is read, the reader expects a description of the living room; whether that be empty pizza boxes strewn about or just ratty carpet and a single, worn couch.

If you are a writer, be sure you know what your style is and where it fits.

One for the Fans

Unless you've spent the last two weeks under a rock, you likely already know that the Steelers met and beat the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. There has been a lot of talk about winning one for the Jaw, winning one 'for the thumb,' and winning one for the Bus, but as a dedicated fan, I can tell you that they also won one for us.

It's not often that one's favorite team wins the championship; hell, I can think of quite a few professional sports teams that have never reached the top. When it DOES happen though, it's almost as if someone or something saw your passion and granted your wish for something to cheer about.

Life, like sports, has its share of up's and down's and way too often we find ourselves wallowing in self-pity thanks to one setback or another. But when something like this happens, even if you aren't a direct participant, you feel exonerated and ready to take on the next challenge.

It's not like your team winning the championship has anything to do with how your life is going to go, but if you are superstitious, you may look at this as an omen of good things to come. I know I do. Given what I've experienced over the past year (aside from sports), having something like this to feel good about is a great way to start the year.

If you are a Steelers fan, congratulations to you and your team on the win. May it be the omen you are hoping it will be. If you are a Seahawks (or other) fan, just remember that your time will come...eventually.