Start

By Anthony Vengrove

Dear Idea,

I’m coming for you

The wait is over

This is a call-to-arms

 

Today you cease to be a story in my head

A mental concept

Today is the day you will be birthed into the world

No more hoping for a natural delivery, I’ve scheduled a c-section

A creativity-section, so to speak

 

Today I start

By starting I become stronger for trying

By trying I immediately separate myself from the masses

Who remain stuck in intention

Who unconsciously find comfort in the status quo

It is easier to dream than to start

 

Starting is only a beginning

A journey

But starting leads to learning

From learning to insight

To better ways

 

Starting is better than complaining

Or worrying

Starting is cathartic

For engagement fuels inspiration

 

No more excuses and why-nots

Enough baby steps

And fear of imperfection

Of not being good enough

My good enough is better than most

 

I will silence my ego which describes you as both brilliant and far-fetched

I will become present

I will bask in the glory of creation

I will honor you by gifting my full attention

For you deserve mindfulness

 

I’m tired of seeing others recognized for ideas I had years ago

I’m tired of seeing others creep toward the fringes of my dreams

Back off

 

No more will I let my cans turn into should-haves

Of course, I can!

I can do anything once I believe

For we live in an age where nearly anything is possible

A dream only requires a computer connected to the world

 

So you see, Idea

There’s no security staying trapped in my head

Only to become a faded memory

Stagnation’s step

On the stairway of death

 

No longer will I dread other’s judgment and criticism

Fear shall transmogrify into treasure

So bring it

 

If this sounds like war

It is

 

I’m climbing to the top of the mountain

To stake the flag of achievement upon its peak

I may get lost on the way up

I may back-track to find a better path forward

But I’m not coming down

I’d rather die trying than retreat

 

I commit to you a spirit of desperation

Of having no other option than to succeed

I dare to fail

 

Intoxicated by ambition

A cacophony of thoughts

A caustic nougat of emotions

All created by you, Idea

 

Oh, the glory of clarity!

Starting is the only way

I can

Finish