“Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws.”
Bad news regarding my writing came to me few days ago. Without explanation. The message just stated: we regret to inform you that you have been rejected. Full stop. Being sensitive and all, being so into writing, I mean writing is not just something I do to occupy my time – I actually breathe through words – the rejection immediately produced negative effects. I gave it the whole day, actually, to ruin my self-confidence. Luckily, it did not last longer than that…
After a day spent feeling bad about myself (read: hurting myself), although I have read all the stories and all the articles on spirituality and how no one can hurt you but yourself, I came home with no other ambition, except to take a book and get lost in other people’s words (maybe I will learn something, as if I have not learnt enough already).
I gave a glimpse to the bookshelves and noticed a really (really!) big book there.
“Listen, the book said, DON’T PANIC!, all you have to do is read me again!”
And I started ….
And I started laughing and laughing and at the same time I worshipped this writer who knew how to say thigs, really important things, in a slightly different manner, giving them a uniquely funny dimension….
Life is nothing but fun, the book said, and experiments, it teaches us that there is so much more we don’t actually know, there are immense number of possibilities out there waiting for us, the Universe is huge and full of surprises, bad ones and good ones. Just keep your hitchhiking finger raised!
It’s, of course, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams.
Why are you so serious about this rejection? – I asked myself. It was important to you, but reconsider, if they do not like you – accept it and move on. Simply move on.
It’s a huge Galaxy. There is room for everything and everybody under the Sun (or should I say Suns).
And I came back to my senses and submitted my article here.
And it rewarded me with such fulfillment, such special feelings ….one never experiences such feelings by anything else….
For, a writer needs to be read. If by two people, than ok. But the writer writes in order to be read.
Books are alive and immortal. When you hold an old book in your hands just think of how many people have held it in their hands before you – which is travelling to the past – and how many people will hold it after you – travelling to the future.
Books are a sanctuary…but that is a subject for another story……..
Always find positive things to get yourself up again.
Nothing is as bad as it seems. And out of every bad situation, something good arises after a period of time….
Whatever you do just do it lightly. Just like Aldous Huxley said:
“It’s dark because you are trying too hard.
Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly.
Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply.
Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.I was so preposterously serious in those days, such a humorless little prig.
Lightly, lightly – it’s the best advice ever given me.
When it comes to dying even. Nothing ponderous, or portentous, or emphatic.
No rhetoric, no tremolos,
no self conscious persona putting on its celebrated imitation of Christ or Little Nell.
And of course, no theology, no metaphysics.
Just the fact of dying and the fact of the clear light.So throw away your baggage and go forward.
There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet,
trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair.
That’s why you must walk so lightly.
Lightly my darling,
on tiptoes and no luggage,
not even a sponge bag,
completely unencumbered.”
― Aldous Huxley, Island
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