I am an empathetic person. Often I am unable to detach myself from feeling this way even when it makes sense to do so. This affects the way I go about doing certain things in my life. From big things like whether to play competitive ultimate and travel for tournaments or whether to change employment, all the way down to smaller decisions like what boardgame to play or what music to listen to.
More and more as I get older I try to support others in achieving their dreams. As I have struggled to find work I know makes a positive difference in others’ lives, I have also set out to become a writer. The balance of working a traditional work week to earn the income necessary for living, with having time and energy for writing and music projects has been a difficult one. This has helped me open my awareness of others attempting to find their place in the world we share. I love writing. I love creating, playing, and recording music. These are things I feel drawn to, in the hope what I create and share will help others. Both through the words I use and what I write about, and by showing with the right attitude, effort, and people around us, we can achieve what we set out to.
When playing boardgames the goal is most often to individually best the people we are playing against. Sometimes I play well and my strategy works as intended leading to a podium finish. Other times my strategies – or lack thereof – lead me down a path to defeat.
Something strange happens, however, when boardgames I’m playing end. Depending on whether I win the game according to the rules I feel one of two things. Either legitimate empathy for those who did not win, or disappointment that my tactics and strategy did not lead to victory. This has informed me of a preference I’ve developed for playing cooperative boardgames. In defeat everyone can lament and discuss what needed to be done differently. The best thing: everyone can celebrate upon being victorious!
This is my wish: For people to set a high bar for themselves, but one which is achievable if they set their heart and mind to it. At every opportunity I encourage others to try new things. When I do the same, I really think about whether it is something I want to put time and effort into getting better at, or is something I will dabble in, or if I am ok saying “I tried that, but it’s not for me.” We will all be drawn to different things and that’s part of what makes life so beautiful.
There are many external factors which encourage us to think we are incapable. If we begin to think the same we risk missing out on fulfilling the awesome potential we have.
I have almost finished writing the first draft of my first book. I have almost finished recording my first three track EP. Not so long ago these were things I never thought I would be able to do. But with encouragement from caring people I’m slowly starting to believe.
Be courageous with your creativity. You have the ability to turn your great ideas into magnificent reality.
What things have you got on the go at the moment? What dreams are you motivated to fulfil? Let us know in the comments below.
Hard lines, heavy times, and handblocks 
That’s great that you’ve almost finished the first draft of your novel! I recently finished mine and am now in the process of editing. My dream is to be published 😊 I’m also a very empathetic person so I relate there – but I think, and you’ll probably find this too, that it makes me a better writer because I can easily absorb the character’s experiences to produce realistic emotion.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That is so brilliant to hear you’re into the editing phase! Keep on keeping on, it sounds like you’re working hard.
I hadn’t thought of my writing that way before but it makes sense. If in writing in first person perspective I really do try to live as them while u write and feel what they would be feeling.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond (here and on my other posts), it means a lot. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, keep on with your writing too! And it’s no problem at all 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Best of luck for finishing the first draft of your book. That’s huge.
And I loved how you expressed yourselves. I know taking time out for your passions from the busy schedule is hard but totally worth it.
And good luck for music too
LikeLiked by 3 people