Guest Blogger - Michael

So the NB, your friend and mine, the Novelista Barista, put out a call for guest bloggers. And obviously, once she ran out of Nobel laureates, stock trading geniuses and rakishly handsome associate professors, she turned to 'lil 'ol me to help fill the space at the Casa Del NB while she is off stunning the corporate world with her own particular brand of awesomeicity.

Just who the heck am I? I'm Michael, I blog at innocentsaccidentshints.blogspot.com, and well, I'm the opposite of NB, pretty much. I'm married, unattractive, haven't changed jobs since just after George Bush's second term began, haven't changed careers since Ronald Reagan was president, and haven't been happy since Jimmy Carter was president. The NB, in her infinite wisdom and filling into her general, caffeinated, outlook on life, suggested that her guests write about inspirational things- things that make one happy and suchlike stuff.

This is not, you might say, my strong suit. I'm the melancholic sort-the kind of person who doesn't so much see the glass as half full so much as the kind of person who worries about someone spilling the glass, and who's going to have to wash it when you're done.

But I like me some NB, even though she's a Yankee fan, and I will try to fit my thoughts within her guidelines.

So, then, therefore-what inspires me?

Fear.

Seriously, my life right now is mostly motivated by fear-fear of going broke, fear of losing my job, fear of what surprises or new expenses tomorrow could bring. And that's a crappy way to live, kids. So take these words of wisdom from an old guy-don't take a job or make a career choice because you think it will pay well. It's not worth it. Do what you love, life is too short not to.

When I watch your typical inspiration fodder-this person overcame this, that person came from nothing-it tends to leave me flat. Not that I don't believe the stories, or that they don't affect me emotionally-but they tend to remind me of my own inadequacy-if THEY can do it, why can't YOU? And I don't know the answer to that question. And I don't like blaming the victim-not everyone can be a hero.

So, in the end, what inspires me other than fear? It's something I learn from history, and something I learn from all of you. It's a bit of a contradiction of what I just said, but what can I say, I'm a contradictory sort of guy. I draw strength from the fact that everyone reading this, and Lincoln, and Napoleon, and Jesus, had days when they doubted their courage, they wondered whether or not they were up to the challenge. So I drag myself through the day, partially because I have to, and partially because I have such a great group of blog friends who remind me, in a hundred little ways, what there is to live for.

Thanks Michael !!! ... I appreciate your post for me today :) ps... love my Yankees!