Lessons from Norris Dam

I recently had the opportunity to “tour” Norris Dam. It was the first time the dam had been open to the public in fifteen years. I didn’t see too much of the inside—two turbines and a threatening-looking observation room—but I did get an up-close and personal view of water being released through bottom of the dam. Cue obligatory pictures.

Now, I was thinking my writer-thoughts, which included Charybdis and whether I could survive the fall to the water. I noticed the line between the white and dark water, but I didn’t think much of it. My thoughts stopped with, white foam, blue river. Fortunately, I was with an engineer-friend, who explained to me that the water changed colors because it was actually transitioning to a different state. How cool is that? Let’s look again.

The water is becoming something entirely different. The signs are there. It’s a clear line. And I didn’t even notice.

Ahem, well, let’s go ahead and tie this into writing, shall we?

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our lives and in our work that we don’t even notice when things are changing. When our writing is changing. When we’re changing. When I look back to who I was five years ago, a year ago, a month ago, I realize that I am a different person. And when I (begrudgingly) break out a piece I wrote during a different phase of my life, I can truly see how my writing has grown and matured.

We get so caught up in the future—writing more, getting published, becoming jaw-droppingly famous—that we forget to take note of how far we’ve come. Goals are fantastic. They drive us to do more, to do better. Without them, (I’m speaking for myself, here) we wouldn’t get anywhere. But being singularly focused on our goals can keep us from adequately celebrating when we reach one.

So take a moment and think about where you were a year ago. What were your goals? What did you want to achieve?

Now look at where you are. Did you reach your goals? Did you achieve some things you didn’t even know you wanted?

Break out the streamers and celebrate! And leave us a comment so we can celebrate with you.
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Don’t miss the water changing colors.