When Micheal Jordan returned from the NBA after an extended hiatus his publicity manager was unsure how they should announce the news. So, he wrote a number of press releases for Micheal to choose from.
But Jordan didn’t like any of them. He said, “I’ll do it myself.” before picking up a pen and writing down the following message,
“I’m back.”
That was it. The entire press release consisted of just those two words. Yet, everyone who was anyone knew exactly who and what.
Of course, when you’re a legend like MJ you don’t need to say very much. In many respects, the less you say the better. You should let your actions do the talking.
Unfortunately most of us aren’t legends. Our actions usually don’t do the talking. That’s why we write!
As much as I like to think of myself as the Micheal Jordan of the blogging world, I feel my press realise needs to be a wee bit longer. Mainly because my actions haven’t been talking at all.
Honestly, the last couple of months have been difficult for me. It’s felt like I’ve been stuck in the past. Desperately wishing to catch up with my family – my present – who had been waiting for me in Singapore while I saw out the remaining months of my contract in Hong Kong.
Aside from failing to process some very difficult emotions, I’ve had a million and one things to do. I’m sure you can appreciate what a massive undertaking moving to a new country is.
For all of the above my motivation to write has gone begging. Instead, my muse has spent the last several weeks eating his emotions. I hesitate to point out he’s on a bit of weight..
This morning is the first time in a long time that I’ve sat down to really write and reflect. I quickly released how much I missed it. I released just how much I needed it. Even if my muse did struggle to get up from the couch!
I forget that writing helps me process my emotions. When I lose the motivation it may well be because I’m avoiding them. At any rate, I haven’t been.
All things not said and not done, all I have are excuses. It comes back to actions versus words. There’s nothing wrong with having words, but they must align with action. That’s what makes them true.
As a writer, well, that means creating some words.
I feel particularly guilty because I know how hard the rest of the team here at the new and vastly improved Wise and Shine have been working in my absence.
Let me take this opportunity to say how extremely grateful I am to all of you for your efforts. Your actions do speak louder than words. They haven’t gone unnoticed.
The good news is, I’m starting to feel like the seas are calming. Like I’ve finally caught up with my present self.
I actually moved to Singapore last week. I managed to negotiate leaving a week early so I could arrive in time for my eldest son’s 4 year birthday. He’d been asking where daddy is for several weeks.
So, when I walked through the front door with suitcases in hand, his eyes lit up. He shouted “Daddy!’ before running across the living room and giving me a huge hug. As I struggle to hold back the tears, I said nothing.
Not even the words, “I’m back.”
***
You can find more of AP2โs writing here at: https://clear-air-turbulence.com
You can also find him on Medium at: https://anxiouspilot2.medium.com
You can also email him directly at: anxiouspilot2@gmail.com
Welcome, glad to have you back. No excuses needed. Sometimes, we just have to step away to do other things.
Thank you L.K. Itโs certainly been one of those times where I didnโt have much spare capacity. Still, I realise that I should have done more to prioritise my writing – if only for my sanity! Wishing you well ๐
Good to have you back!
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Love this, AP2. Your muse is clearly happy to be off the couch! Brilliantly written and you describe the divide between past and present so well. So glad you are back!!
Thank you Wynne. I so appreciate all the amazing hard work youโve been doing for the site. Glad to be back. ๐๐
Welcome back! I, too, have been so immersed in all the things that need to be done with our cross country move this summer that I have been slacking with my blog. I’m also getting back into the groove of it all, so I can relate. It’s such a relief to finally land in the place you were aiming for, isn’t it?
Yes!! Itโs been an intense couple of years in Hong Kong. It feels like Iโve escaped prison! The last couple of months without the family were the hardest. Still, it made the arrival all the more sweeter. Thank you Rhonda. I hope you had a successful move too! Wishing you and yours all the best ๐
Beautiful. I guess we don’t need to say anything when we are with the people we love.
Absolutely. When it comes to those who we love and who love us – what is there to say? Wishing you well Pihu ๐
Thank you AP2๐, Wish you well too ๐
So happy that you are back David! I was missing your posts!
Thank you Cristiana. I have missed all of yours too! I have some catching up to do ๐
I can’t imagine moving so far away from your kiddo. I’m glad you’re back and I’m glad you’ve taken the time to get your head right.
Thank you LaShelle. It was difficult being without my family, but it made me realise that being with them was far more important to me then location or job. Wishing you well ๐๐
I’m so glad to hear that!! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season