Insecure Writers Support Group: PeeviLeaks

Remember Peeves?

She is my rock.  

She abandoned me to live in Louisville, and is now off in Philadelphia, chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool.

Thanks to technology, we are still able to keep in pretty regular contact.  

Which is good, because Peeves is wise.  

Like, the other day I was confiding in her about how strangers often tell me I look like Khloe Kardashian.

She responded with this photo:

Peeves always knows what to say.

The key to her brilliance is her inquisitiveness.

She feels free to question things that the rest of us take for granted.

And is not afraid to doubt the status quo.

Of course, she also questions herself.

She's remarkably self-actualized.

So it only makes sense she would have something to say about my last blog post, in which I freaked out about trying to balance my life. 

Freakout #1: Worrying about increasing my income so I can save for the future: 

"It's wise to save money. But it is not mandatory. And the person who saves money so that he can live his life with a sense of comfort if things go wrong is a fool; money is no savior. But money can be a blessing. And managed wisely, it can be used to prevent unnecessary difficulties. And also be used not just for our own gain, but for others."

Freakout #2: Worrying about the future, in general: 

"Time is the same. We can invest it in something because we're hoping in that thing to carry our lives. Which will probably only end up disappointing. We can waste time, because we don't know how to spend it well, or because we're foolish and don't care; only to again be disappointed and dissatisfied. But we can also invest it faithfully in things that we have been given, whether people, skills, job, whatever. We'll get a return on our investment; but that should not necessarily be our hope either-ultimately."

Freakout #3: Wishing I could just STOP wanting to write:  

"You have a natural desire to do something that you are good at; so you should do it. You already are. This thing may also make you tons of money. And it may not. You can make writing a burden for yourself, if your hope is to make your life like JK Rowling's. Or it could just happen to you."

Freakout #4: Balancing work and money with creative pursuits:

"The God who exists and is there gives gifts, and orders the world in such a way, and governs our actions, and has created purpose in all things, and is the only object of hope with no chance of disappointing (get your crackers because here comes the cheeseball). He has provided you with a job that keeps you grounded and gives you money to live, and he's given you incredible abilities to craft words and create awesome sentences and stories."

Peeves Thoughts on Balance:

"There's no easy line to point to and say 'here's the fulcrum, stray neither to the right nor to the left or you'll tip off balance' but I think a regular perspective reorientation always serves to refresh us to do the things that have been given to us to do, regardless of the outcome, because God gives us work, whether its writing a book, or leading someone back to their room in the middle of the night so they don't hurt themselves. All good. All worthwhile."

To Sum It Up Peeves Style:

"Do the task; think about the future; plan if you think you need to; worry and I'll kick your butt."

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I'm lucky to have Peeves. 

She keeps me grounded.  In the good way.

(think anchor, not teenager)

Without her, I'd be like a kid's lost balloon rising in the sky.

Kind of fun to watch until it's out of sight, but directionless and doomed because the sky is full of power lines and fighter jets.  And I'm leaking helium.

What?  That doesn't make sense?

It does to Peeves.  

Who is probably absolutely horrified that I blogged all of this without her permission.

For today,

Sankofa Me Lately = PeeviLeaks.

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What or Who keeps YOU grounded?  Do you have a Peeves, or would you like to borrow mine?

(Well, that's not actually an option).
Please click here for a list to visit the other insecure writers. Yes, we need your love. Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by the awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh.