I often hear people talking about how life happens in Seasons. ”Well, I did that for a season … but then it was time for me to move into a NEW season.” I never quite understood that. I understand the metaphor, but the unit of measurement is what eluded me. How do we know when we’ve passed from one season to another?
Is anybody with me?
If you know me, you know that I want to write TV someday. I don’t have time to go to school for that, so I read books. I have an embarrassingly large collection of “How To Write TV” books.
Something I’ve picked up along the way is the importance of Season Finales and Season Premieres. Just like every episode has a conflict, theme, arc and resolution … so does every Season – only the strokes are much bigger. Writers set themes up in the Premiere and, after 20 or so episodes, finally RESOLVE them in the Season Finale – and (if they’re good), set up a Cliffhanger so we come back for the NEXT Season Premiere several months later.
I finally understand how to measure the seasons of life: Like TV.
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I started this blog, Tonguetwisted Ink, in October 2009. My initial goal was to tell the story of a songwriter/storyteller trying to chase an impossible dream in music – through the framework of struggling with a twisted tongue. The story I’ve told up until now has been an island. One season. Let me explain.
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In October, I set out to record a new CD and put together a new band.
I accomplished those goals – something I seriously doubted that I would be able to do. In the midst of it all, I met a pretty girl with perfect teeth and, in a surprising break with tradition, she liked me back. While touring Ontario, that girl visited from Vancouver and we were able to spend some time together. Sounds like a pretty fantastic Season Finale to me.
But then … I had to leave again. She flew back to Vancouver, where she lives, and I drove back to Nashville, a city where Hello Kelly is nothing but another band. I dropped my bandmates off at their apartments and sat there in my van, in a parking lot …
Fade to black.
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I could almost hear the writers of my existence discussing: “Yeah, pretty good season, guys. He’s got the band, he’s got the girl. The tour’s over. Now … How can we rip him apart even MORE in this next Season?”
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When I watch Season Premieres on TV, whether it’s Chuck, 24, The Office or Teen Titans, I love getting the feeling of: “Oh my gosh, nobody was prepared for this. So much is the same, but so much is different. This season could go anywhere!”
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I feel like I’m in a new Season now. Many things are different, but the biggest different thing is my heart. I feel like the curtain has closed and opened again:
I have a girlfriend but she’s 2,500 miles away. I have 3 new bandmates that are like brothers to me but we need shows, a manager, money. I’m starting 2 new projects but have no idea how to tackle them or measure their success. I’m turning 25 in 19 days and I’m not sure how I’ll deal with being quarter of a century old. I’m in a city I don’t know and, to save on rent, I’m sleeping in my van.
…
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Have you ever had a moment like this in your life? Would you please the tell the story in a comment? I would count it a privilege to read that story. Are you, like me, in the middle of that moment right now? Whether it’s the end of college, the end of a job, the end of a relationship, or just the melancholy feeling that one journey is over and a new one is beginning … Tell the story?
Intimidating as all of this is, there’s really just one thing to say …
This Season could go anywhere!
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francy
3 Comments
My Beautiful Son,
Thus is life.
What you are/have experienced is what it is.
The unknown. The predictable. The uncertainty. The worry. The security. The pleasure. The insecurity. The bliss
I could go on and on. That is what life is.
It is all of these – and more – that create your journey.
I have had SO MANY moments just like yours in my life and it’s STILL GOING ON!!
Sometimes, just when you think things just couldn’t get any better, they do!!
Sometimes, just when you think things just couldn’t get any worse, they do!!
You wake up the next morning and realize that you are still here and the sun rose and all is still going on.
Carry on.
One thing to remember, there will always be someone better than you and there will always be someone lesser than you.
Faith.
That’s all there is.
And that is what I believe.
There is a lesson in everything – you just have to recognize it. (That’s the hard part).
Hope: I am still here….and trudging on.
Mom
XXX
I hear you. I can definately relate to this blog. And although I don’t think I’m beginning a new season right now, I can recall times when I have. And I know I’ve been faced with the feeling of, “oh jeeze… anything is possible. This could go soo many ways” and it’s incredibly intimidating; but at the same time, I think it’s also exciting. A lot of things could go wrong; but a lot of things could go right. And I think that lesson on it’s own was something that took me a long time to learn. We control what happens, and if we don’t control what happens, we control how we deal with what happens. We can decide which days are going to be bad and which days are going to be great. It’s all about how we take things, how we learn from them and how we deal.
I think you’re season will be full of blood, sweat, and tears, but I do not think it will be for nothing. You’ve got a full audience, Francy, everyone’s watching; and we’re all cheering for you. And I’ve never seen a show where the lead man fails.
Hey you’re only going to be a quarter century old on your birthday.
I’m twice that age plus and my grandma lived to be twice my age. Your life is full of seasons yet to unfold.
At 28, I entered a season of self destruction, I maintained my employment but let everything else around me crumble like a house of cards. At 33 and pregnant I was in the hospital being treated for clinical depression. In that 3 week period I met up with an aquaintance, Ann Bethlehem, who told me, ‘God doesn’t give us a Spirit of Fear but of Power, Love and a sound Mind.
I grabbed onto that sound mind part. That would ensure that I would be able to return to a normal life and raise the child within me. I had left two children with their dad at 28 when I went into self distruct.
Now mind you, normal was drugs drinking and permiscuity, but I was despirate to be sane
and went into a relationship with Jesus not having a clue what it ment but believing one promise, a Sound Mind.
Its been a season, I changed, and continue to change.
I find myself slip occassionally and I have to give myself a reality check, find my compass and journey back to the foot of the cross.
I’m no where near a finali though, too much to do, too many people to see laugh and songs to sing.
I’ve been following your music about 3 years now, yours is a message that is universal, your compassion is fresh and believable. I am convinced that your music has made me a better person. Be encouraged, your hearts desire will be realised, but nothing good comes too easy, else you wouldn’t appresiate it the same.
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