"What if what is isn't what is, but is what isn't?" - a sentence only Jonathan Byrd - or Dr. Seuss - could have written. You inspire, provoke and educate, my friend. It is such a lovely gift you give.
Thank you Melanie. This sentence is an example of writing aloud. I explain the idea out loud to an imaginary listener and listen for music in the words. I’d probably never type something like this without hearing it first.
"...I turned my whole life inside-out and upside-down. I walked away from mastery and started over as an apprentice." This is beautiful Jonathan! After doing an intense undergrad at Berklee College of Music, I too jumped into the deep end of graduate school and felt the same darkness and inferiority. Thank you for sharing your journey as you navigate the upside-downness of change.
That was spectacular! Such a beautiful exploration of the dark that we all must battle at some point or another. I’ve made the opposite journey from a fruitful tech career to full time writing for which I have no training except life - only because if not now, when? - and there are definitely days when the darkness threatens... This gave me some answers. Thank you for writing it!
The first time I saw you, you were standing in the middle of the room at May Memorial. It was October and you were wearing a suit and a straw hat, and carrying a guitar. That was a LONG time ago. Your changing self comes as no surprise and I watch with admiration as you plumb those depths and the darkness you talk about here.
"What if what is isn't what is, but is what isn't?" - a sentence only Jonathan Byrd - or Dr. Seuss - could have written. You inspire, provoke and educate, my friend. It is such a lovely gift you give.
Thank you Melanie. This sentence is an example of writing aloud. I explain the idea out loud to an imaginary listener and listen for music in the words. I’d probably never type something like this without hearing it first.
Churchill said it. Rodney Atkins sang it: “If you're goin' through hell keep on going
Don't slow down if you're scared don't show it
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.”
"...I turned my whole life inside-out and upside-down. I walked away from mastery and started over as an apprentice." This is beautiful Jonathan! After doing an intense undergrad at Berklee College of Music, I too jumped into the deep end of graduate school and felt the same darkness and inferiority. Thank you for sharing your journey as you navigate the upside-downness of change.
Thank you, Will. May we never be the smartest person in the room! Happy New Year.
Indeed! Cheers to maintaining a healthy degree of confusion! Happy New Year!
That was spectacular! Such a beautiful exploration of the dark that we all must battle at some point or another. I’ve made the opposite journey from a fruitful tech career to full time writing for which I have no training except life - only because if not now, when? - and there are definitely days when the darkness threatens... This gave me some answers. Thank you for writing it!
Thank you Reena! I’m pleased to meet you and delighted by your short fiction.
Thanks so much Jonathan for your kind words. 🙏
Beautiful Jonathan! This resonates in my bones... 💙
The way your voice resonates in ours! Happy holidays, Julie.
Insightful, informative and kind to your own sweet self.
Thank you.
-Leslie
Happy holidays, Leslie.
The photographs are right out of Todd Hido!
You may find these books of interest:
Proust Was A Neuroscientist: https://www.amazon.com/Proust-Was-Neuroscientist-Jonah-Lehrer/dp/0547085907/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L3SBAIP5HPBD&keywords=proust+was+a+neuroscientist&qid=1703165625&sprefix=Proust+was+a%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1
The Age Of Wonder: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+age+of+wonder+richard+holmes&crid=1G24CCC27IJNZ&sprefix=The+age+of+wonder%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_17
Todd Hido is amazing. Thank you. And thanks for the links!
The first time I saw you, you were standing in the middle of the room at May Memorial. It was October and you were wearing a suit and a straw hat, and carrying a guitar. That was a LONG time ago. Your changing self comes as no surprise and I watch with admiration as you plumb those depths and the darkness you talk about here.
Thank you Mollie.
This beautiful and inspiring. Thank you. Have you seen Nostalgia for the Light?
Thank you Richard. I haven’t seen Nostalgia for the Light. It looks amazing, and I will definitely watch it. Thanks for the recommendation.