The power of the pen…

I always read. Sometimes I read like crazy. I’m in one of those crazy places the past few weeks. My latest read is another book by Michael Lewis. He’s the guy that gave us Moneyball and The Blind Side, two of my favorite books about sport and strategy. I still do NOT follow baseball, but I have to admit checking in on Billy Beane every so often. Michael primed me.

I’m currently reading what I believe to be his first book. Liars Poker is the title and it’s all about his life with Salomon Brothers and the life of a Wall Street trader. I do NOT admire traders nor do I have much interest in learning about America’s BIGGEST business. I am, however, curious to learn about Lewis, his roots, and extrapolate from there.

Lewis’ preface is telling. His last sentence stopped me.

Here it is. Do NOT miss this. This is HUGE.

“I set out to write this book only because I thought it would be better to tell the story than to go on living the story.”

Do you see the power of the pen NOW?

What story are you living NOW?

What role in the story are you playing?

Do you LOVE how you’ve been “typecast?”

Do you LOVE how you’ve “typecast” yourself?

Have you been writing enough to gain the clarity of your REAL story…the one you are REALLY designed for?

What fear is holding you back?

The power of the pen is only realized over time and through the struggle. Do NOT stop writing because it doesn’t feel like you’re getting anything from the effort. This is simply the way it is. The builders journey is clarified by your writing. This takes time. The builders journey is also clarified by your ACTION. This takes courage. Courage comes to those that find something they LOVE enough to die for.

Is your vision for your work and life worth living for?

REALLY living?

Why?

Why?

Why?