Now, I am used to things popping into my head. Things pop in, pop around, make random connections, and, with a disturbing frequency, make me wonder what strange neuro-pathways my brain has created in the last 20-odd years. How is it that one piece of random information, or one quick sentence, can trigger a memory or a thought that is completely separate from the preceding thought? Worrisome.
That rant is just one example, but I will now address the quote that popped into my head just now. It popped in, completely unprovoked, but before it had time to pop out I took a moment to consider it. And decided that I did not like it at all.
As I think about it, it seems like something a grandmother would say. Not a mean grandmother, but the type of grandmother who preaches patience and hard work and children being seen and not heard (the first two aren't so bad, but I prefer grandmothers who preach the virtues of cookies and homemade apple pies myself, and I'm not good at the seen-and-not-heard thing). If I were to live my life by the idea that "there is a time and a place for everything," I feel like I would too often use that as an excuse. "There is a time and a place to write." "There is a time and a place to get published." "I'll finish my rough draft all in good time." "This is not the place to take a nap"--okay, perhaps that one is one I should pay more attention to.
Although I can objectively see the value in "there is a time and a place for everything," I do not believe that I will adopt this as my motto. I think that I need a more proactive motto. One that will encourage me to work hard right now to achieve my goals.
And if anyone knows of a saying that can help me with that, please let me know. I could use it.
--J.R.