Human Journey Reflection
My Road Goes Ever On
Laughing, Crying, and Living
In this Human Journey Reflection, I appreciate my part in some of the poignant moments in human experience and support our struggle to endure.
So, okay, a great aunt died, one of my cats got sucked into my friend’s car engine belt, and a friend with a malignant tumor passed away this week. Australia has been burning. Bombs have been dropped. Through online sources, I’ve been informed about how best to make a match and keep a man “coming back for more,” how to make big bucks, become productive and efficient, and why fellow human beings have given up caring what other people think.
Did I mention that my kids still like to eat at regular intervals, school is in session, and dust bunnies have been up to their nefarious tricks again?
For years, I’ve had it drummed into my head that in order to make money, be a successful writer, educate efficiently, and generally pursue happiness, I must crunch the numbers. Try harder. Work longer. Be better. Golly, sweat a bit! Put. It. Out.
That’s all, huh?
Now I don’t claim to be successful in the writer’s money market. No siree bob. So I bow to the big-hitters’ authority on how to do that. But as for creating work that I like, where I’ve honed my craft to a sharper point, it turns out that word count, speed, and furious production levels aren’t particularly inspirational. Having something of value to say seems to be more helpful. To me at least.
I want to live a quality life—a life that doesn’t merely revolve around my goals. In order to write anything purposeful, I have to live purposefully. In order to relate to other human beings, I actually have to know other human beings. Care. Interact. Be involved in their ups and downs. Life and death realities.
That takes time. It might interfere with my color-coded writing schedules. It might mean—gasp—that I won’t meet surrealistic achievement of the year awards.
And what do I get in return?
This week I prayed for a dying man. I supported a widow. I consoled a friend. I compared notes with a frantic mother. I visited the sick. I got to be a part of some of the most poignant moments in human experience.
We laughed. We cried. We lived.
We are still laughing and crying and living.
As I sit in the park and watch a woman speed walk around the track, notice a whole line of green plants in a house window, listen to traffic rush behind me, consider why a grown man just climbed the jungle gym bars on his way through the park, I am grateful to be a part of the human journey.
Though I know that terrible things are happening all over the planet, I can be a part of our struggle to endure—find solutions to environmental catastrophes, face violence with humane solutions, make healthy meals, hold a hand, and be deeply involved in our shared, messy experiences.
After all, my job isn’t just to write about humans. It’s to be one.
~~~
A. K. Frailey is the author of 17 books, a teacher for 35 years, and a homeschooling mother of 8.
Make the most of life’s journey.
For novels, short stories, poems, and non-fiction inspirational books, check out
A. K. Frailey’s Amazon Author Page
“I loved reading Ann’s wise, hope-giving thoughts about life and love. Truly, life is the art of overcoming obstacles and becoming stronger to live a fuller life. Beautiful work!” ~Ksenia
“…bring fresh inspiration for the day on life, love, and overcoming obstacles with faith” ~CBM
“Great for book club. Recommend to all your friends.” ~Martel
For a complete list of books by A. K. Frailey, book trailers, and reviews, check out
A. K. Frailey’s Books Page
For translated versions of A. K. Frailey’s Books, check out
A. K. Frailey’s Translated Books
Photo https://pixabay.com/photos/earth-blue-planet-globe-gaia-2841056/
A marvelous way to live, I’d say. And write.
Thanks as always for the insights!
You are very welcome:) Thanks for the kind comment and support, John.
I’m glad you liked it:) Thanks for your kind words and support!
I’m glad you are so human. You lived more doing all that than most number crunching, flat out writing people do in a month. I’m the sort of person who like people watching too. I’d be wondering why someone went on the jungle gym as well. You’ve got the good stuff Ann; your lived experience is full on, and full of highs and lows, but I get the feeling your highs have the edge over your low times. Sorry about the cat, and your aunt and your husband, but very very happy you are living and writing, writing and living.
Thanks so much, Therese. Knowing that I have readers like you makes all the difference:) Blessings!