A writing prompt, from imi
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That pesky devil, yeah? That stands on our shoulder and whispers sweet nothings in our ear. Nice to believe it is separate from us, but c’mon. We know.
I could talk to it for hours, debating this choice. Or that choice. It’s exhausting. Sometimes entertaining. Never boring, unlike some conversations, hmm? Yet, ultimately a waste of time, stretching it out. Whether the choice is risky, or a simple either-or, choosing is what it’s all about. Do I do the thing I’m ‘supposed’ to do? The safe thing? What my friends think I should do? Or do I do this other thing…
What if I make the wrong choice? I learn. Oh sure, I might regret, but only briefly. Done, is done. If I beat myself up over it, I’d have to smack me for that, too, and we wouldn’t want that, yeah?
I do spend a little time on the ideas I already know have high potential for mischief and consequence. What’s the worst that can happen? Will I survive it? Am I going to get ‘the look’ from my wife? Will that purchase join the dozens that occupy half the garage gathering dust? Yeah. It might.
Research? Of course. Due diligence is fine. It’s the internal debate I try to minimize.
Of course, if it’s a good choice, I take fist-in-the air credit. Knew it.
Sure you did.
Hush you, I know you’re really me.
Life isn’t a book sitting on your TBR shelf waiting for you to never get around to it. It’s happening right now! No matter how many lives we get to experience, this one will be gone too soon. Live it, yeah? Grab it round the middle and snuggle up!
Roger says.
This was great Roger. It felt like I was witnessing the conversation in my own mind. I really enjoyed it, beautifully written.
I love how you pin down that inner tug-of-war, the voice that both stalls us and occasionally eggs us on. Your take on choices and consequences feels honest and oddly reassuring. Thanks for the reminder to stop debating and just live a little.