You weren’t wondering, but this is where I’ve been…

I’ve been busy helping many wonderful people get their incredible book ideas out into the world.

I’ve been busy NOT writing for my blog and audience. It’s time to change that. 

The writing work has been great, but as I seek to enter into 2023 with alacrity (my word for the year, meaning: cheerful readiness!), I need to write. I feel the yearning in my soul. 

However, it’s not just the busyness with other things that’s stopped me. It never is.

As a sensitive writer, many fears have recently scared me away from sharing my thoughts on a variety of subjects:

  • I don’t like being misunderstood.
  • I don’t like it when people question my core values. 
  • I don’t like thinking I might upset someone by what I have to say (even though being “upset” is often a catalyst for personal growth). 

None of these above happened to me. I haven’t gotten into any major debates with anyone recently. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve been scared of them. Ah, so much of what we fear never comes true…

“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.”
–Judy Blume

Maybe the pandemic tempered me and made me more wary? I think I’ve pulled away to some extent. This pulling away hasn’t done anyone any favors, least of all me. 

Lately, I’ve been lacking the confidence to think that I, Jordan, can actually help people.

It’s funny… I’ve written seven books on goals and destiny and all that. I’ve helped many, many authors with their own books in various capacities and genres. And yet, and I think this is part of my INFJ personality, confidence is fleeting, even despite these accomplishments. 

Why does it matter what I have to say? What does it matter what Jordan wants to put out in the world? Why share my thoughts?

But this line of thinking stymies my attempts at sharing my thoughts with others.

The more I think about it, the more my writing matters. There are far too many writers online using vindictive vocabulary and sensationalized absolutes. Maybe I can infuse a bit of balance into the noise?

Maybe you can, too, in your own creative endeavor?

  • We need balanced writers and creatives who are less prone to extremes.
  • We need the middle voice that sees both sides with clarity and lack of bias. 
  • We desperately need to hear from more people who can communicate effectively online without putting others down or posting idiotic comments. 

Sometimes, I languish in a rut too long. I think about things too much. It’s time to get out. 

I think the writing world needs me. 

Debating Is Dead, Let’s Just Talk

If you don’t like what I have to say, no worries. If you don’t agree, all the better. I welcome any and all. 

Oh man, if more of us could disagree and remain friends despite… 

Our cancel culture and lack of forgiveness sucks. It bugs me to my core. The pendulum has swung too far towards justice and away from mercy.

Interacting with others through my writing increases my understanding as I gain valuable insights from the lived experience of others. The more we interact with others, especially those who may disagree, the more we grow. 

Being human, we are imperfect. That’s why we need each other. To catch each other when we falter. To encourage each other when we lose heart. Some may lead; others may follow; but none of us can go it alone.
—Hillary Clinton

Yet, most online discussion is frustratingly negative and condescending. And mean. And it sucks. 

We live online. We can’t get away from that. I don’t write these posts on ink and paper and send out hundreds of owls to get my words into subscriber’s hands. 

We wouldn’t say certain things if we were sitting down at a table in the same room with the other person. 

What’s worse is that most people probably don’t even mean to do it. That’s my idealistic hope, at least. 

Positive and helpful discussion online is possible. It CAN happen. I’ve seen it. 

And So, I Write

I know I’m a writer. I feel it in my bones and yet; I don’t want to say the wrong thing. I don’t want someone to read what I have to say and make the wrong decision in their life. 

However, this responsibility is not a burden I need to bear. I understand the logic. It’s rather obvious that I’m not responsible for the choices someone else makes. But that doesn’t change the way I’ve been feeling for the past several months. 

What’s worse is I know there are at least a few of you who like what I have to say. Maybe you’ve even missed me? Hah! I could only be so lucky! 

Still, I appreciate you. To my core, I care about the people that read my words. It’s an honor to wriggle into your busy life for even a few minutes.

I have a lot of thoughts about personal growth, personal development, life, values, spirituality, faith, sports, lifting, exercise, Wim Hof, breathing, you know, the things that really matter. 🙂

This is my comeback. Hopefully. 

One of my Facebook friends shared this quote recently, and it resonated fiercely:

“It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.” ― Hugh Laurie

I’m ready. I think…

With my writing I:

  • Want to add to the noise in a positive way.
  • Want to get people thinking without making them feel bad or less than. 
  • Want people to come alongside me so we can figure it all out, together. 

I can’t wait to hear from other people and see how we relate. We can agree. We can disagree. Both in healthy ways. 

Drop a comment. Welcome me back.

Let’s keep the discussion going on all these important topics. 

Thanks,

-Jordan