The Final Chapter

 

My wife got me a book for Christmas.  It's the book that inspired the movie I have already seen and loved. And, I love the book. 

There is one section of the book though, where I felt the writer went off the tracks just a bit. Have you ever listened to a song that went on one too many lyrical clusters?  A movie that had a scene or two that was unnecessary?  A book that veered off path for too long? 

What's too long?  When do you come up with the final note, chapter, or verse? 

Writing anything is subjective to the author so there's no right answer. But, there's a feel.  Hemmingway once said "If I started to write elaboratively...I found I could cut that scrollwork or ornament out and throw it away." 

Far from it for me to judge someone else's pacing, flow, or rhythm...or when they direct us to the final chapter. I only go here for my own growth. 

Thought it was interesting. 

Is a Scoreboard Black & White?

Does the scoreboard tell the whole story? 

Absolutely not (Disclaimer; we aren't talking about the t-ball mentality where everyone gets a medal.  At the end of the day, wins count). 

In sports, business, or life, losing is inherent to winning.  You have to fall short so you aim higher.  The step backward is critical to the two steps forward.  

You have to dig deeper into what the scoreboard tells you. Did you learn something?  Did you make mistakes that led to the loss?  Did you grow? 

Can you make a case for moral victories?  When you are looking at the microscope, absolutely.  The telescope is a much different view. Many moral victories eventually lead to a scoreboard win.  

What you can't do is accept the losses without growth.  What you can't do is continue to do the same things without changing (Einstein said something about this). What you can't do is become complacent with the L.  You have to turn these losses into building blocks to become better.  

When the clock strikes zero, there is a winner or loser.  The scoreboard is the headline.  The byline though decides what happens next.