Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Anchors


Anchors – The Free Dictionary say an anchor is:

A heavy object attached to a vessel by a cable or rope and cast overboard to keep the vessel in place either by its weight or by its flukes, which grip the bottom.

A source of security or stability.

Recently, I‘ve been wondering what my anchor was and where it went. I have my faith and belief system, but beyond that there isn’t much. I’m wondering exactly what a good anchor should be. Other people? That sounds like setting yourself up for some pretty severe disappointment. Job or Career? More of the same – disappointment, disappointment, disappointment. Location, place or home? Again this seems dangerous.

Personally speaking, I think I’ve been a failure at ‘other people’, i.e. relationships. Not a very good anchor for me to choose. Job or career? Well, in the course of my life, I’ve had plenty of both, but I have resisted being defined by them, so probably not a good anchor choice. Location, place or home? I’ve spent so much of my time moving around that although many days I feel as like I would like to ‘go home’, I have no idea where that is. (I was born and raised in Chicago, IL, but my parents are gone, no siblings, only one aged aunt, few cousins and a very dear friend left there.) I do have some other family, but they all seem to not ‘need’ me at the present. (This is not necessarily a bad thing. No sympathy needed here.)

I think about my writing and wonder how committed to it I really am. I have been devoting my time to revisions on a story that is near and dear to me. I decided I wanted it to be the best it could be, for me and for itself. That means even if it never sees the light of publication. It’s a story I want to tell. Is that an anchor? I really don’t know.

This is starting to sound depressing. I’m really not depressed, but I am drifting and that’s not good. So tell me, what are you anchored to. What is the most important thing, idea, or whatever, in your life? I’m just wondering.

18 comments:

  1. You're right - we want to put our faith in people but people are imperfect and will fail us.
    We still do it though, as my wife is one of my anchors.
    My faith and relationship with Jesus is my strongest anchor.
    And my own creativity is an anchor. Even if I'm not inspired to write, I'm inspired to play and create music.

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  2. funny.... I'm question a lot of things lately - I'm not sure what I'm anchored to lately. Can't seem to get out of my own way and yep, I don't want to sound depressed either. I wrote a message to a friend the other day about how fragile life is and I felt so depressed afterwards. I know I like to write so I'll keep writing. I know I want my story to be publishable but I have no idea how to go about doing it. The more I read the more convinced I am that I can't write. (sorry, just rambling here.... but what I think I am trying to say is... I relate and please don't give up on your dreams)

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  3. NITRO ~
    It is definitely my spiritual/religious belief that is my anchor. Everything else is just an extension of that.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  4. I probably have the smallest...but heaviest anchor imaginable. I can count my close friends on one hand (two fingers), and my family is not a large one, but I am firmly anchored by all of their love and support. Its not the numbers around you, but the quality of their devotion. :)

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  5. I have plenty of anchors, my house, my family, animals, all tying me down. Sometimes it's good they're here but other times...it might be nice to just drift away on some unknown tide.

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  6. Lovely post. My anchors: my husband, my son, my writing.

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  7. I know this...when I feel I need to be anchored, I meditate. Sometimes I totally suck at it, but it's a process and it's powerful. My family is my anchor, as well as God. They are the only consistant things in which we give and receive to/from each other.

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  8. Alex - I would have to agree that God and his Son, Jesus Christ are probably the only true anchors i any of our lives. They are constant and true.

    Monkey - You have had a rough year, but never give up. As stated here, I feel myself drifting, but that is truly nobody's fault but my own. Keep writing, it certainly can't hurt.

    Stephen - Thank you for reminding me. I'm not surprised at all, it shows clearly in the person that you are.

    DL - Couldn't agree with you more about quality vs. quantity.

    MS - Sounds good for awhile, but you have to come back to reality sometime and if you've drifted too far that can be a dangerous trip.

    Christine - Thank you.

    Jo - Meditation and prayer are what's helping me most right now, along with a few good friends.

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  9. My sister and my husband are strong anchors. They are my safe harbor in times of storm. Everything else could go away, a painful as that might be, but as long as I know they are tied to me I know I'll be okay.

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  10. I would be so excited at the prospect of picking out a city to live in. I think it would be such a new adventure and fresh start. I live in a small town near all my family and my husband's. I really would love to move, but that fact ties us there.

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  11. My wife is one of my biggest anchors. So is Brandon. But as has been said, those can fail at times, but it's only human nature.

    My faith and my writing keep me anchored, and they go hand in hand. God gave me a gift, and I intend not to spoil it or let it waste away, so I hunker down no matter how tough things get and I write, because I know that's what I was put on this earth to do.

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  12. Bish - Family are so important.

    Brinda - It's great to be close to family. Nothing can replace spending time with them and creating memories that last a lifetime. It's just a different type of adventure.

    Bryan - What a nice tribute to your buddy and your wife, of course. I'm greatly impressed that your know your talent is a gift from God, and that you are indeed multiplying that treasure.

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  13. I will strive to be an anchor for you. Life can oftentimes pulverize us. I've been really fortunate to meet so many wonderful writers like yourself. Whatever you choose, I think success will inevitably follow.

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  14. I definitely relate to your situation. My family is scattered all over the country and aside from my wife I have no really close family where I live now. No job. Some church involvement but I don't feel very rooted there. Yes, I feel adrift. I guess I'm most anchored to my blogging these days. It's the first thing in the morning and last thing at night and a place that I go throughout my days. Wow, you really brought things home for me and now I wish I could sell my house and really go home.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  15. Your faith is definitely an anchor because it can go with you wherever you go. Your passion for something can be an anchor. It's certainly my motivation and keeps me grounded when other things try to lead me in another direction.

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  16. Husband, family, and writing anchor me. Most of our family lives far away from us, so we're a tight knit unit.

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  17. Michael - Thank You so much.

    Arlee - Well they say 'A dream is a wish your heart makes'. Maybe it's time to work in a direction to make some of those dreams come true. It is never too late.

    Donna - Faith and Passion and a great attitude like yours.

    D.G. - Being 'tight' with your family certainly helps.

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  18. Did you know that sea otters hold hands while they sleep, so as not to drift apart.

    Anchors can and are in many forms.

    I love you!

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