COVID!
We just got it. Diana and me. Third time for me, second for her.
The good news is it’s been pretty mild so far. I was down hard for two days but beginning to come back today. April 1 we move into our longer-term rental house. We should be recovered enough by then.
“How is the rebuild going?”
The answer is, “Pretty glacial.”
It’s not that people aren’t trying or working hard. They are. But the logistics are overwhelming, as I’m sure they were in Katrina and every other large-scale natural disaster.
To wit: on the Palisades side of Los Angeles (and this is true with different specifics) for the Altadena side) there are only a few roads—Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Boulevard, Topanga Canyon, Temescal Canyon. It’s just the geography. There’s only one road possible along the coast and only a few others through the canyons. All of these are major commuter arteries and they’re all now closed except to residents.
It’s no one’s fault. It just has to be that way, so that infrastructure repairs (power, water, phone lines, etc.) can be made. On the smaller roads, like ours, further repairs have to be finished before others can begin, like power lines being ‘undergrounded”—something that should have been done forty years ago. What this means for the restoration is that the heavy equipment for debris removal, i.e. the wreckage that used to be everyone’s homes, can’t get in.
The Army Corps of Engineers, who will be doing most of the work, has of necessity had to prioritize. The miles of destroyed homes along Pacific Coast Highway must be addressed first. This makes perfect sense. The road is indispensable. It has to be cleared.
We heard last night that our area is scheduled for May. I’m trying, personally, not to get ahead of myself. This ain’t easy for types like me. I keep asking myself, “What lesson am I supposed to be learning from this?”
Is it to give up the illusion that I have any control? Is it to “live in the moment?” Is it to focus on gratitude for all the incredible blessings we still have? Is it to try harder to influence events?
My answer so far is to stick with my work and not let nocturnal catastrophizing drive me insane.
This ain’t easy either, I must confess.
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
Steven, today marks 954 consecutive days of my writing (by hand) 3 pages (in script). I use a marble notebook, the kind that used to torture me when I was a grade school kid attending the local perochial school. What started as Morning Pages (h/t Julia Cameron) has evolved, numerous times over 3+ years.
But today…today is my my day without the Daily Pressfield, which I discovered shortly after learning of your work and your story of facing and overcoming Resistance. Morning pages have brought me a long way, and I’m grateful for you and for each page of the DP, some 300+ of which have accompanied me on my writing journey and more importantly, my journey to self-discovery. Glad to have had your words to greet me daily, for a page 2 reflection on why I write, and often, why I “rise and grind” against my own version of Resistance. The only day I’d take a break from the DP was to sprinkle in a reflection on Writing Wednesdays.
Best wishes with the rebuild and hoping your Covid days are behind you soon too!
I’m off to write. And then off to pick up my next Pressfield book. Eager to see which one it is, in our daily battle against the Resistance. Just happy to have the words of SP by my side and in my mind while I go to battle.
~ Dennis S.
Thanks for sharing these ‘post’ insights. Never enough of that after the sensation of the actual event. Keep going!
Crap always shows up in clusters, is what I have learned from life.
I am sorry for all the trouble you are experiencing. Luckily, you are a writer! For writers there is always a way out of shit – right?
As it happens, just before I saw your post, I posted this on Substack: https://substack.com/profile/51175838-kati-reijonen/note/c-105316721
I wish you a speedy recovery and pray your rebuilding project will continue smoothly from now on
So sorry for your loss. Sending positive thoughts and prayers, and guidance to you both.
Cathy Breslaw
thankyou for that, while I’m not in your situation the last sentence resonates with me: my new mantra: not let nocturnal catastrophizing drive me insane.
O Que cabe dizer a uma pessoa que se quer bem e que passa por essa situação dramática é, fight! Fight! Fight! Principalmente por que é o Guerreiro Pressfield.
Hey Steven,
This quote by Stuart Wilde has helped me in times of crisis:
“You can only begin where you find yourself”.
It’s time for all of us, here at the end of the world (that we know) to be humble and grateful for each any every little thing – health, money, food, love, support, kindness and serenity. All the rest of the ego’s desires are slowly being crushed in the great global expungement. (haha is that a word?) In other words, this experience is a gift. Maybe a novel will come out of it, maybe just a deeper appreciation for your life. Much love and God’s Speed in your rebuilding.
Thanks for sharing what’s going on in your world. Covid for moving day – fun!
Lessons in patience and no control are softened by the people who are helping and doing the heavy lifting and digging.
Just listened to your podcast with Mark Manson. Always a treat and a lesson in resistance to hear your voice.
Good luck to you and Diana.
thanks for looking for the message behind all this and sharing that with us!
love from Israel
Dear Steven, first off thank you for all you do and all that you’ve shared has greatly impacted me. So thank you.
Next, I’m so sorry for your loss and the struggle you’re going through. I know what you mean about the nighttime catastrophize. I do that myself so I’m wishing you peace. I agree with you maybe the biggest thing if possible is to keep reaching for gratitude. Meditating on that when going through the difficult stuff does tend to open up my mind and make it possible for me to learn from the pain and the discomfort. Most of all we’re wishing you a speedy recovery from Covid and success in the rebuilding process and in the personal experience along the way. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers and wishing you all the best. Derek “Dez” Stewart – Writer / Producer / Director – Excelsior Entertainment, NYC (I’m a commercial and advertising guy trying to transition into long-form story after 30 years of work). :)) so you can imagine what a great inspiration you are to me as I go through everything you describe all the time. Thx again!
Thank you for your strength. You do inspire. Maintain your momentum!
The way you are accepting what has to be with no pretense about how hard it is to do that is a model for all of us. No spiritual bypassing. It sucks. It will be a long haul and frustrating. I guess the fact that you are forcing yourself to keep writing is exactly what you have told us to do for years…face the beast. Best of luck. I wish I could send you a new coffee pot.
Dang. Hang tough. Lemonade.
Here is some great advise about the nocturnal monsters….“Beware thoughts that come in the night. They aren’t turned properly; they come in askew, free of sense and restriction, deriving from the most remote of sources.”
― William Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highways
Or as someone else put it, “Never trust how you feel about anything after about nine o’clock in the evening.”
I’m growing more resigned — no! at peace with!
— to a living situation I never imagined. One day this thought popped into my head and it continues to sustain me: “There’s something important happening; I just don’t know what it is.”
To stick with your work, as Steve mentions, feels like clinging to a tiny surfboard on an angry ocean — but it is enough.
Thank you Maureen, I needed to read your comment to Steven this morning ! So right !
And to Steven, Iam inspired by your courage and tenacity throughout this truly difficult time.
I like that surfboard idea Maureen. It’ll stick with me.
Thank you, Joan and Sam!
Best wishes,
Sending you & Diana so much love, Steven. Praying for you & your community.
Call on the warrior within.
Stay out of the land of “what if”s and rest. Move a little, then rest. This is your marathon, not a sprint. All my healing thoughts to you both, a team! Don’t forget those that are pulling for you and keep slogging. <3
Steven, you are a beacon for us all — a model of grace in times of suffering. I pray the burden eases soon. And as always, thank you for the reminder to keep working no matter what.
Consider Ivermectin…the vast majority of patients in the practice I am part of find this knocks it out faster…also numerous CDC studies have establish that people getting the vaccine do in fact get covid more frequently than non vaxxed. Additionally the side effects can be quite dangerous……not a sermon …just passing on what the most recent CDC findings have found…feel better…
Each person must make their own decision.. And no I am not a anti vaxxer…..
Go ahead. Give up and go crazy. “Insane” is the polite word you used.
I’ve been that way for a long time now – several thousand years – and it’s not a bad way to go. It’s only other people that mind you being odd.
I’m satisfied that I’m the only normal person on Earth, but it sometimes gets lonely. So, join me, brother!
Steve, just want to add my voice to all the well-wishes here. Your commitment, tenacity, and resolve continue to inspire.
Hope these brief words can provided at least a fraction of the encouragement that yours have delivered to so many–myself included–over the years.
Onward, my friend.
Sorry for your struggles. Not fun. Not sure there are any huge lessons to take away. Be grateful for your presence here, and how we all appreciate you? We do.
Stay well.
“This ain’t easy for types like me …” I’m sure it isn’t! Sending healing thoughts to both of you and appreciate your honesty during this difficult time.
Wow! That is a lot.
May this season pass gracefully into one of new growth.
Definitely a report from the trenches. Thanks for the update on this part of the journey. (And yeah, bury those power lines.) S/F
“Glacial” is better than the minute hand on the clock, no? Glad you’re dealing with stuff seemingly well. Thanks for sharing this. I know it was all devastating. And yes, keeping the head down and working one step at a time seems to be the way. Sending positive vibes only, peace brother.
Warm wishes to you both. Good to hear you are recovering from Covid. I admire your continuing to work in the face of all those challenges. May you both find peace in your new temporary home. Rhaea
I can’t imagine. Grace, grace, and more Grace for you both!
Thanks for the update Coach. Things in L.A. are definitely upside down right now and I appreciate you sharing your piece of it. In uncertain times like these I tend to focus on the little things — a nice hike, something good for lunch, getting a few hundred words down on the manuscript. All we can do is all we can do.
Days pass and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles.
You’ve taught us to see. You got this. Wishing you and Diana well.
Wishing all a week of sight.
Oh my gosh, get better.
Steve Your B&B buddy ….Go biblical consult the book of Job.
Good thoughts headed your way Chuck Beisch
Resistance takes many forms and is a natural law.
“Is it to give up the illusion that I have any control? Is it to “live in the moment?” Is it to focus on gratitude for all the incredible blessings we still have? Is it to try harder to influence events?”
Live in the moment is always the answer.
The lesson, Steve, is patience. Hope you and Diana recover quickly! So glad that you found a rental for year! Now, to furnish it! (folding card table & chairs work well & can be stored once you move next year. Ginger & Rog
Maybe the lesson is there is no lesson. This is just a boulder in your path and you have to get around it.
I within a few months your Wednesday updates will be reporting big, visible progress, sir.
Steve,
You’re a trooper! Keep on keeping on.
Armin Strom’s resonance watches are characterized in general link by the use of a single dial for the hours and minutes and two separate small seconds dials. For the Minute Repeater Resonance however the visual display of the resonance effect which is afforded by two seconds hands takes a bit of a back seat to the integration of the minute repeater complication.
Yes, Steven. Just “the next right thing.” One foot in front of the other. One day (and sometimes one hour) at a time. That’s my recipe when the sh*t (real & imagined) is deep. And yours is plenty deep. I like your idea: Stick to the work at hand. And stay in gratitude and service. (And you always are of service to this writer.) Thank you for all you do and are, sir. Do you need an extra desk and bookshelves? I got ‘em. Happy to send them your way.
Thank you Steven, first I wish you a good and strong recovery for you and Diana.
It’s touching to experience through your words what you and many other people are going through.
As always I’m grateful that I can read from you and I love what you share with us.
And your amazing books!
With gratitude and love from Zürich,
Sabina