It reminds me of something I read about Johnny Cash. In the non-stop schedule of rising fame, someone gave him pills to help him cope. When he first started using them, he was thankful for them. They helped him do what he loved. Then in time they nearly destroyed him.
Drug addiction is generally recognized as a bad thing, but I'm thinking of the grip of things more subtle.
Is the endless stream of ideas a gift, providing a bounty worth sharing? Or is it a winding river pulling us uncontrollably past all the things that really matter? Does my ability to think deeply about something give me insight or make me miss so much life?
In good moments it works the other way too. We're thankful for the trials, once they fuel a passion for the good of others. Or the re-framing and re-creation brings healing.
Maybe any reflective soul who puts their heart into their work must come to this place.
Do we embrace this thing or run from it?
Will one more week of working on this or thinking like this finally yield the breakthrough? Or has it already led me too far off course?
There's no end of advice from others.
"Know when to let it go."
"Never give up."
It depends who you want to listen to, I guess.
I can think of times in the past when it was a spiritual experience. It felt like an answer was given or I felt led by Someone. Other times (like now, if it's not obvious) I doubt myself too much to recognize the truth from the lies.
If I had to help someone else in such a place, I'd say only this. Trust there's purpose and keep moving. There will be times of wondering, but thank God when (whether a blessing or a curse) it's obvious.
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