I've never written during the comfortable periods of my life. I've never really done anything during those times. I’ve continually skated along at minimum output just to get by. But there is something strangely compelling about that which pushes us, about the trials that we face. They force us to re-evaluate our principles and re-examine just what it is to be awake and alive and learning. This is what brings out something useful in me.
My writing is therapy as is my music. I’m not particularly gifted at either. I am fully aware that I may well be destined to never do anything spectacular in this life but I’m also aware that my idea of spectacular is likely selfish and convoluted and that the true meaning of being a good person lies not in the deeds that set us apart but in those that bring us closer together.
I’m leaving again soon to do what I get paid to do. It’s not really as special as all the parades and articles make it out to be. We are just normal people; we have normal shortcomings and prejudices. We fight and love and fail just like everyone but we do it in uniform and the camera turns our way because a part of being human is the hope that we can find something better in our neighbor which will in turn make us better. I hope to find something better in that person too.
