So, nobody has anything to be ashamed about. The Bears left it all on the field, all the way to the end. And, it was, after all, Aaron, I-throw-80-yard-passes-in-my-sleep Rogers at the helm.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about (which, okay, is understandable…not everyone spends ALL WEEKEND watching football. Although I did take a break to go to church, and of course, the ever-important Sunday pizza run. That took energy. I had to get off the sofa and put pants on! Sheesh!), I’m referring to Sunday Night’s epic match up between rivals Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
Let’s just say that by halftime, we were all considering going to bed early. The Packers, well, I’m not sure where they were in the first quarter, but the BEARS walked all over them with their 24-year old sophomore quarterback. 20 points went up fast (to the Pack’s paltry field goal), and then…
Aaron Rogers went down with a knee injury. Had to be CARTED into the locker room.
Everybody wanted to Weep Big Tears.
Even me, Vikings fan. (Although, I harbor a secret crush on Aaron Rogers, so I have to root for the Pack when they’re not playing the Vikings.) See, last year, Aaron Rogers went down in a game against the Vikings (broke his collar bone) and we all really wanted him to have a great year this year.
There is a point to this, so for all you non-football fans, hang in there….
So, into the locker room all the footballs players went, and I debated going to bed to read a good book.
And then…
And then #12 (Rogers) came running back out for the second half. Limping on a stiff knee, yes, but the man returned to the huddle with the determination to put points on the board.
And suddenly, that infamous O-line of the Pack showed up. Gave Aaron time to fall back and pass.
And now we had a football game.
But here’s the amazing part…Aaron danced around in the pocket on ONE LEG. He could barely put weight on his injured knee, and it was noticeably worse as the second half progressed. His throws became all arm…and yet, his team rose to the occasion, showing up to nab his throws (and admittedly, the man is a sniper with a football.) It wasn’t pretty, but he got the job done.
Aaron wasn’t afraid to play hurt. And it was one of the best second half comebacks I’ve ever seen. (next to the Clemson national championship against Alabama two years ago, but that’s another story…)
What happens when you play hurt? You dig deep to find a strength inside yourself you didn’t know existed (or maybe forgot existed). You inspire others. And you leave a legacy. (Or at least a really awesome memory of a Sunday night game!)
Now…let’s talk writing.
Every author, at some time or another, writes hurt. Hurt physically—back pain, illness, etc. A number of years ago I wrenched my back shoveling and was in bed for 2 weeks. The pain was excruciating. But I sat in bed and kept writing—because I had a deadline. I had to show up.
Then there’s emotional pain. Grief, worry, stress in our days…whatever it is, it can blindside our writing, cause us to shut down.
- Or we can play hurt, dig down, and find that place inside us that is stronger than we realize.
A few thoughts about writing through pain:
- Cling to the Power that is your power. Phil 4:13 says, I can do all this through him who gives me strength. I love the stanza of my favorite hymn, Be Thou My Vision, that says,
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, and Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power, of my power,
O Power of my power.
Your pain doesn’t have to sideline you. Play through it, with the right power.
- Dig into your pain—and use it for your story. Do you have a physical pain? What if you used that to give your character a physical pain? Can you use it to deepen the story? Deepen his characterization struggles? Raise him through it to triumph? What about an emotional pain? Use your experiences to create an authenticity to your character’s emotions. The best stories come from our own experiences.
- Set smaller goals…and celebrate your achievements. You don’t have to write 5000 words a day. How about 1000? Or 500? The fact that you are still in the game counts. Don’t let your injury sideline you completely. (You will only find it harder to get back in the game).
Sometimes you have to play hurt. It’s part of being a football player—err, writer.
But when you do, you just might surprise yourself and pull out a win in the fourth quarter. (aka, a story that will impact readers!)
Your story matters!
Go! Write something brilliant today!
Susie May
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