"The Gods love action," "offering up the hours to the heavens" — this context is such a beautiful counterpoint to your previous confession about obsessing over work. And both have truth. I love that you are so eloquently honoring the transcendental potential of getting down in the mud of effort. I've always felt this in your writing, that it speaks of craft, which is a step beyond mere sharing or expression. Authenticity is not natural, its buried beneath layers of the false, and to get to it, one truly has to dig.
Thank you for making that connection Rick (you're always incredible at making connections). It's something I ruminated too much on after my last piece - because I do believe strongly in the value of making an effort, the worth of hard work. But harmful when taken to an extreme.
It's a more meta idea I've been thinking about with writers. I tend to write against my natural skew because I'm trying to correct for my blind spots and weaknesses. But if someone is on the opposite side of the spectrum (e.g. already working hard) they don't need the message and probably need the opposite (e.g. relax and chill out a bit).
Also "the transcendental potential of getting down in the mud of effort" is so good. And you're so right about the challenge of authenticity. It takes a lot of writing and cutting and re-writing and staring in the mirror and asking: "do i believe this?"
Thank you my friend (: always lights me up to see your comments
Reading your stuff is always a reliable way to start a good conversation in my own mind, ha ha. So getting to engage with you about what you've written is a privilege and a natural extension of the reading experience, which is what writing should be! I don't think there is any objective merit to living fast or slow, working hard or chilling. If there is a problem with our life pacing it's because we are out sync with what the universe is calling for, rushing through when we should be savoring or dragging our feet when we should be meeting opportunities with agile presence. I watch myself do it all the time, procrastinating on things that are begging for action and overworking the things that just don't really matter.
Tommy, "improved" doesn't do justice to describing the evolution of your writing. It is deeper. More heartfelt. Rife with meaning. Alive. Warm. Authentic. Vulnerable. Personal. Wholehearted.
Another year from now I'll have new adjectives. You tough my heart weekly. I'm grateful.
Thank you so much James. Those are exactly the adjectives I aspire to when I write, and to hear them mirrored back from you feels like Christmas.
I'm honored you've been along on the journey and have read my work since last year. (I look back on old pieces sometimes and cringe, but that's part of getting better, I suppose).
Really appreciate your friendship and guidance on this path (:
Consider me another in the chorus witnessing the growth you have displayed in your writing. And as always I enjoy the accompanying photos. Keep at it man and let me know when the book comes.
Thank you Steven. Seriously means a lot coming from you.
Funny enough, you and Simon Sarris were my two major influences to get more into photography last Fall. And your videos on YouTube helped answer a lot of questions I had. So thank you.
I've had book on my bucket list for a while now, but recently moved it up to my "decade list".
It’s lovely that you’re working hard on your writing and seeing results! Your essays are always a good read. I think you’re hitting on something too here, we often feel embarrassed about how hard we work on things. I remember hearing someone talk about this once, that if you ask, people will often sheepishly undersell how much effort they put into something they do well at.
Michelle, it's so good to hear from you! Thank you for reading & the warm words.
Yeah it's like I'm still in high school sometimes, scared of being a "try hard," wanting to fit in with the cool kids who make it all look effortless.
And you're so right about people underselling the amount of work they did, almost unconsciously, automatically. I do it sometimes without noticing. Or even, after I've finished something, the effort always seems smaller in retrospect.
Thanks again for the note (: brought a big smile to my face
Thanks for sharing your weaknesses - it's never easy to do. Lovely when it resonates with others. Writing is easy - writing well is really f*cking hard.
It's so good to hear from you John. Hope you've been well!
I actually went back to the 15th century etymology of tenacity: "quality of holding firmly" from the Latin root tenere "to hold". It's that holding on, despite all the odds and doubt and fear, that's so beautiful and so necessary.
Haha this is so good and so true: "Writing is easy - writing well is really f*cking hard." I'm having a "really f*cking hard." week with writing and this was a nice reminder.
Thank you again! Hope your week is off to a lovely start (:
The amount of commitment and persistence you have for writing is astounding! And how still, on top of all of that, you manage to give a thoughtful reply on each of your comments... It amazes me.
I've noticed an ongoing tension in my life and your writing about how to distinguish effort and workaholism, laziness and rest...
Should we find acceptance in the feeling of effort, but still make an effort to rest?
I'm trying to figure out how to balance this duality, but I suspect the tension will always be there.
This article speaks to a truth that’s often overlooked: the immense value of hard work and persistence. It’s comforting to think that our hard work, even if it doesn’t immediately pay off, contributes to something greater. It’s a call to action to find joy in the effort and to be proud of the work we put in, regardless of how challenging it might be. Thank you for your words, Tommy!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the essay and it’s so nice to hear the message I was aiming for reflected back - that effort is always valuable even if it’s not immediately obvious how and to find joy in effort.
I appreciate you reading and the insightful note here. Means a lot! Hope you’re having a lovely week
One of the things I admire most about you is your commitment to doing things right. You are the most hard working, conscientious person I know. And you have inspired and motivated me in my own life to take more agency, to apply more effort, and to put my whole heart into what I do. I fear I still not where I want to be yet, but getting there isn’t magic. It happens in the effort of today.
Thanks for writing beautiful work, buddy. It will last in my heart long as I’m here.
Thanks Jack, this comment really hit home for me. I think if I'm qualified or "credible" to write about anything it's probably work ethic or effort haha.
Returning to making an effort is simple but so vital.
Really nice, Tommy. Reminds me of the Coolidge quote our coach had plastered in the locker room:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
...reminded of the good job great effort kid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfvVlYEiYws)...enthusiasm for the process and work is important even in our failures and losses...i played a show last night with someone who was just doing their second ever live performance...neither of us are very good but i was reminded that the thousand or so times I have done this have prepared me for things he couldn't quite manage (cords coming unplugged, silent crowd, weird feedback and buzzes)...all this to say that the work matters, regardless of the results, the work matters...and good results require good work...so good job brother...great effort...
Hahaha this video brought a big smile to my face. You have to be the king of obscure hilarious YouTube videos (among being the king of many other things as well).
The work does matter. The preparation, the intention. There's so much to be said about repetition, sustained practice over time, showing up time and time again, even when you don't always feel like it.
Hope the show went well! Love to hear you're doing live performances.
Over the last few months, I've read so many confessions on Substack (and in books) about how hard it is to write well. I almost want to say your struggle is universal!
A friend of mine recently recommended Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. If you haven't read it, I think it could add balance to your perspective. She has a very healthy take on how our work matters, and it doesn't. Allowing space for that duality, along with others, is key to not becoming a depressed artist but instead, a very alive human being.
Thank you Mikaela! For reading and the encouragement. It's incredibly hard to write well, to publish someone you're proud of.
But it's inspiring to hear my favorite writers decades ahead of me who still say the same thing, still admit how hard writing is. Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art" comes to mind.
Thank you for the recc! I'll make sure to check it out
Appreciate you reading. Hope your week is off to a lovely start (:
Thank you Azark (: means so much you’re diving into my writing and really reading it - I feel lucky to happen across people like you.
I love how you connected the workaholic piece on work addiction to this piece on the insistence that an effort must be made. It’s certainly a tightrope I’ve been walking, trying to traverse.
I’m not sure I’ll find a balance either - the tension will always be there. But maybe you are the tension? Rather than one or the other? If that makes sense.
Thanks for the beautiful questions. Love where your mind is headed.
"The Gods love action," "offering up the hours to the heavens" — this context is such a beautiful counterpoint to your previous confession about obsessing over work. And both have truth. I love that you are so eloquently honoring the transcendental potential of getting down in the mud of effort. I've always felt this in your writing, that it speaks of craft, which is a step beyond mere sharing or expression. Authenticity is not natural, its buried beneath layers of the false, and to get to it, one truly has to dig.
Thank you for making that connection Rick (you're always incredible at making connections). It's something I ruminated too much on after my last piece - because I do believe strongly in the value of making an effort, the worth of hard work. But harmful when taken to an extreme.
It's a more meta idea I've been thinking about with writers. I tend to write against my natural skew because I'm trying to correct for my blind spots and weaknesses. But if someone is on the opposite side of the spectrum (e.g. already working hard) they don't need the message and probably need the opposite (e.g. relax and chill out a bit).
Also "the transcendental potential of getting down in the mud of effort" is so good. And you're so right about the challenge of authenticity. It takes a lot of writing and cutting and re-writing and staring in the mirror and asking: "do i believe this?"
Thank you my friend (: always lights me up to see your comments
Reading your stuff is always a reliable way to start a good conversation in my own mind, ha ha. So getting to engage with you about what you've written is a privilege and a natural extension of the reading experience, which is what writing should be! I don't think there is any objective merit to living fast or slow, working hard or chilling. If there is a problem with our life pacing it's because we are out sync with what the universe is calling for, rushing through when we should be savoring or dragging our feet when we should be meeting opportunities with agile presence. I watch myself do it all the time, procrastinating on things that are begging for action and overworking the things that just don't really matter.
Tommy, "improved" doesn't do justice to describing the evolution of your writing. It is deeper. More heartfelt. Rife with meaning. Alive. Warm. Authentic. Vulnerable. Personal. Wholehearted.
Another year from now I'll have new adjectives. You tough my heart weekly. I'm grateful.
Thank you so much James. Those are exactly the adjectives I aspire to when I write, and to hear them mirrored back from you feels like Christmas.
I'm honored you've been along on the journey and have read my work since last year. (I look back on old pieces sometimes and cringe, but that's part of getting better, I suppose).
Really appreciate your friendship and guidance on this path (:
I cringe too - sort of like rereading my note to you and seeing “tough” rather than touch :)
Consider me another in the chorus witnessing the growth you have displayed in your writing. And as always I enjoy the accompanying photos. Keep at it man and let me know when the book comes.
Thank you Steven. Seriously means a lot coming from you.
Funny enough, you and Simon Sarris were my two major influences to get more into photography last Fall. And your videos on YouTube helped answer a lot of questions I had. So thank you.
I've had book on my bucket list for a while now, but recently moved it up to my "decade list".
Can't wait to read yours (:
It’s lovely that you’re working hard on your writing and seeing results! Your essays are always a good read. I think you’re hitting on something too here, we often feel embarrassed about how hard we work on things. I remember hearing someone talk about this once, that if you ask, people will often sheepishly undersell how much effort they put into something they do well at.
Michelle, it's so good to hear from you! Thank you for reading & the warm words.
Yeah it's like I'm still in high school sometimes, scared of being a "try hard," wanting to fit in with the cool kids who make it all look effortless.
And you're so right about people underselling the amount of work they did, almost unconsciously, automatically. I do it sometimes without noticing. Or even, after I've finished something, the effort always seems smaller in retrospect.
Thanks again for the note (: brought a big smile to my face
Nice piece, Tommy.
"Sustained tenacity" sticks well with me.
Thanks for sharing your weaknesses - it's never easy to do. Lovely when it resonates with others. Writing is easy - writing well is really f*cking hard.
It's so good to hear from you John. Hope you've been well!
I actually went back to the 15th century etymology of tenacity: "quality of holding firmly" from the Latin root tenere "to hold". It's that holding on, despite all the odds and doubt and fear, that's so beautiful and so necessary.
Haha this is so good and so true: "Writing is easy - writing well is really f*cking hard." I'm having a "really f*cking hard." week with writing and this was a nice reminder.
Thank you again! Hope your week is off to a lovely start (:
The amount of commitment and persistence you have for writing is astounding! And how still, on top of all of that, you manage to give a thoughtful reply on each of your comments... It amazes me.
I've noticed an ongoing tension in my life and your writing about how to distinguish effort and workaholism, laziness and rest...
Should we find acceptance in the feeling of effort, but still make an effort to rest?
I'm trying to figure out how to balance this duality, but I suspect the tension will always be there.
love this so much. Consistency and effort beats talent. every single time.
thank you Heather (: that means a lot
really appreciate you reading & your kind words
This article speaks to a truth that’s often overlooked: the immense value of hard work and persistence. It’s comforting to think that our hard work, even if it doesn’t immediately pay off, contributes to something greater. It’s a call to action to find joy in the effort and to be proud of the work we put in, regardless of how challenging it might be. Thank you for your words, Tommy!
Thank you Mo (:
I’m so happy you enjoyed the essay and it’s so nice to hear the message I was aiming for reflected back - that effort is always valuable even if it’s not immediately obvious how and to find joy in effort.
I appreciate you reading and the insightful note here. Means a lot! Hope you’re having a lovely week
One of the things I admire most about you is your commitment to doing things right. You are the most hard working, conscientious person I know. And you have inspired and motivated me in my own life to take more agency, to apply more effort, and to put my whole heart into what I do. I fear I still not where I want to be yet, but getting there isn’t magic. It happens in the effort of today.
Thanks for writing beautiful work, buddy. It will last in my heart long as I’m here.
Thanks Jack, this comment really hit home for me. I think if I'm qualified or "credible" to write about anything it's probably work ethic or effort haha.
Returning to making an effort is simple but so vital.
Appreciate the kind words. Really.
Simply fantastic
Thank you Grant (: really appreciate you reading
Really nice, Tommy. Reminds me of the Coolidge quote our coach had plastered in the locker room:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Here’s to keeping pressing on!
Thanks Lou. Really appreciate you reading and taking the time to leave a thoughtful note (: Made my day
I love that quote. Especially: "Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
Here's to pressing on. Hope your week is off to a lovely start
...reminded of the good job great effort kid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfvVlYEiYws)...enthusiasm for the process and work is important even in our failures and losses...i played a show last night with someone who was just doing their second ever live performance...neither of us are very good but i was reminded that the thousand or so times I have done this have prepared me for things he couldn't quite manage (cords coming unplugged, silent crowd, weird feedback and buzzes)...all this to say that the work matters, regardless of the results, the work matters...and good results require good work...so good job brother...great effort...
Hahaha this video brought a big smile to my face. You have to be the king of obscure hilarious YouTube videos (among being the king of many other things as well).
The work does matter. The preparation, the intention. There's so much to be said about repetition, sustained practice over time, showing up time and time again, even when you don't always feel like it.
Hope the show went well! Love to hear you're doing live performances.
Over the last few months, I've read so many confessions on Substack (and in books) about how hard it is to write well. I almost want to say your struggle is universal!
A friend of mine recently recommended Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. If you haven't read it, I think it could add balance to your perspective. She has a very healthy take on how our work matters, and it doesn't. Allowing space for that duality, along with others, is key to not becoming a depressed artist but instead, a very alive human being.
Thank you Mikaela! For reading and the encouragement. It's incredibly hard to write well, to publish someone you're proud of.
But it's inspiring to hear my favorite writers decades ahead of me who still say the same thing, still admit how hard writing is. Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art" comes to mind.
Thank you for the recc! I'll make sure to check it out
Appreciate you reading. Hope your week is off to a lovely start (:
Thank you Azark (: means so much you’re diving into my writing and really reading it - I feel lucky to happen across people like you.
I love how you connected the workaholic piece on work addiction to this piece on the insistence that an effort must be made. It’s certainly a tightrope I’ve been walking, trying to traverse.
I’m not sure I’ll find a balance either - the tension will always be there. But maybe you are the tension? Rather than one or the other? If that makes sense.
Thanks for the beautiful questions. Love where your mind is headed.