The Muse tests us
The goddess tests you and me 24/7. She flies over and peers down on us. What she wants to see is that we are dedicated to the journey, to the process, that we are in it for the long haul and for keeps.
The Muse knows if we’ve been naughty or niceWhat she doesn’t want to see is that we are attached to the real-world outcome of one specific project.
The Muse hates that because it shows that we have misapprehended the nature of her alliance with us and of our apprenticeship in her service.
“Keep working.”
The pro athlete who gets cut from his team, the ballerina who is let go by her dance company… both must go home and immediately begin training for their next job, even if they doubt they will ever find one.
The sent-down wide receiver must head over to the local college and recruit one of the young quarterbacks to work with him, alone and at night if necessary, throwing passes on the practice field, letting him run routes, helping him keep his technique sharp. The ballet dancer must sign up for class at once, continue her strength training, keep up her barre work.
For you and me, finishing Book #1 (or #21) means only plunging in immediately on #2 or #22.
We have to.
That’s the goddess’ law.
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