Hodgepodge refers to a mixed, jumbled assortment of disparate things. I had a friend with whom I used to chat via email. Often I would put the subject title as hodgepodge. It was a warning that I had nothing particular to say, but rather had lots of varied thoughts and ideas to share. Inspired by a recent blog post of Wil Wheaton, I thought I would try that here.
I haven’t written a blog post like this in years. Somewhere along the way, I decided that everything had to be just so, you know? I really got in my own head and in my own way. It doesn’t have to be huge essays or perfect, or some minimum length. It can just be my blog.
— Wil Wheaton (b. 1972) American actor and writer
You may remember Wil as the character, Wesley Crusher, on Star Trek: The Next Generation. His readers commented on that particular blog that they would read anything he wrote and in fact enjoy it very much. I am sure they do and I do as well!
Wil is brutally honest in his writings. Here is a quote that could be one reason many of us enjoy reading his blog. Maybe we too feel isolated or were ostracized at one time simply for being who we are.
When I was a boy, I was called a nerd all the time—because I didn’t like sports, I loved to read, I liked math and science, I thought school was really cool—and it hurt a lot. Because it’s never OK when a person makes fun of you for something you didn’t choose. You know, we don’t choose to be nerds.
— Wil Wheaton
Everyday Occurrences
Some writers take simple, ordinary life moments and write wonderful essays or blogs. Sean Dietrich, known as “Sean of the South,” is an example. His language is colorful, funny, and often poignant. Some stories contain a life lesson. I enjoy reading his writings. We even share a common friend—Bobby Horton, who is a member of the music group Three on a String.
With Sean as my inspiration, I have tried to develop my writing about everyday occurrences, but I seem to gravitate toward ideas most of the time. I am an introvert—and probably do not have many experiences that are noteworthy.
Precarious Path
Every week when I mention to my husband that I need to think of something to write about, he responds (not seriously) that I could write about current people or events. I steer away from politics on purpose. It is difficult to have any real, serious discussion (or commentary) with so much disinformation being spread. I fear that we are on a perilous and precarious path. It is scary and disheartening to say the least.
As I watched Adam Savage on his YouTube channel the other day, someone asked him a question about how to remain in a good place mentally to create—especially in these uncertain, hostile times. Adam often wears a t-shirt that explains his philosophy—Empathy, Kindness, Respect. I heartily agree. I can’t change the world, but I can hold myself to the standard of showing empathy, kindness, and respect to everyone. EVERYONE—not just to people who look like me or believe like I do. They have a story. They have feelings. Their life is just as important as mine.
Interruptions
This year has been the year of interruptions—my husband’s surgery, remodeling the building where I work causing disruptions in our schedules, having work done on our house, and being without a clothes washer and dryer while waiting for ours to arrive.
I remember a friend telling her husband: “These interruptions are your life.” That is certainly true for me this year. I find it hard to have continuity in my creativity anyway . . . and, if you add interruptions, I easily get off track!
Why I Keep Creating
As you can tell, I am inspired by quotes. Sometimes I can spend a paragraph explaining something when someone else has narrowed it down to several sentences. Like this:
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be good. It just has to exist.
— Unknown
This is a great thing for me to remember. Perfection can be the enemy when it comes to being creative or, indeed, in getting lots of varied projects finished.
Skip the Hard Parts
On the way home from work the other day, I heard the end of an interview on NPR with Britt Lower. She is Helly R. in the series, Severance. The premise of the show is that employees undergo a medical procedure (“severance”) that ensures they retain no memories of the outside world while at work and have no recollection of their job once they leave.
. . . that’s such a human thing—right?—to be like, oh, man, I wish I could numb myself to this uncomfortable part of life, whether it’s a part of your identity or a part of life that’s just a bummer or something really dark or grief. And I think the question that the show poses is, you know, is it worth skipping over those parts of life or is moving through those things part of your identity and what makes you whole?
— Britt Lower (b. 1985) American actress
What Makes Us Whole
Music and creativity are part of what makes me whole. Noticing and feeling the hard parts of life become part of my identity—whether I want them to or not. Living is learning to take the everyday occurrences, interruptions, and hard parts together . . . and to not give up hope during difficult times.
Like making a traditional Nova Scotian hodge-podge stew, I can stir in all the ingredients to create something both nourishing and comforting.
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