COMMITTED

by Deborah Elliott-Upton

Not everyone appreciates art. Or at least, not the same artwork. This may be a good thing. Imagine how miserably dull life would be if we were all the same. Visions of “Logan’s Run” just flashed through my mind. All dressed alike, would mankind survive? I don’t think so or “Project Runway” wouldn’t be so popular. There will always be rebels, innovative thinkers who balk at the ordinariness of average. Without true commitment to art, life would be – at best — monotonous.

Writers are artists of the mind. Thoughts dance in our head, travel through our heart and soul and end dripping from our fingertips onto the keyboard. Some writers bleed more words than others and not every one is treasured, but does that make their blood less valuable?

In a culture where almost everything has a price attached to it for validation of worth, maybe not. A good writer involves himself in his contributions to the literary world; a great one is committed.

“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast; the chicken was ‘involved,’ the pig was ‘committed.’” – Unknown

If Edgar Allen Poe had not written of the macabre, would mystery have evolved as it has? When I read that his life had been difficult financially since he’d tried to earn a living through his writing alone, I realized that much hasn’t changed. What a pity to readers everywhere had he not been so committed to writing and cared more about making a living than art.

“It is no use saying, ‘We are doing our best.’ You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” – Winston Churchill

I wish writing were always fun, but often it is drudgery. Editing and rewriting are not the fun parts of writing, but they are quite necessary. While research is interesting, it isn’t how I wish to spend most of my writing time. It takes commitment to sitting day after day in front of the computer, but when the writing is good, it is a glimpse of heaven.

Writers aren’t the only ones who need to be committed to their work. What if everyone loved their job and wanted to be the best in their particular career choice? Wouldn’t we all be happier? Imagine if every person you met actually enjoyed his job: it would be a changed planet.

My husband is one of those campers who leave a campsite better than when we arrived. Personally, I don’t enjoy picking up someone else’s litter, but I’ve done it in order to leave the area as pristine as possible and make my husband happier. It’s a commitment we share.

“You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t possibly live long enough to make them all yourself.” – Sam Levenson

Unfortunately, being committed isn’t always a good thing. We all make mistakes. Often commitment involves hard work, not being able to stop and play as much as we’d like and being thought of as “single-minded.” I don’t mind that so much as long as no one commits me. But then, think of the time I’d have to just write.