Wednesday, October 7, 2009

I Heart Bono...and James Patterson

I'm still buzzing from last night's U2 concert. A-MAZING.

I might've at one point said to my husband, "Forget what I said about me dedicating my first book to you and the kids. I'm dedicating it to BONO." That man's voice makes me want to cry. If I could pinpoint what my perfect idea of heaven would be like, it would be Bono singing. ALL. THE. TIME. Have I mentioned I love Bono? BONOBONOBONO!

Ok, I'm done now.

Bono. Sorry.

I know I have a useful post SOMEWHERE in my brain...I just can't seem to locate it.

Ah, yes. I remember now.

I just finished reading James Patterson's Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. Great book. This book has very special meaning to me for a particular reason, but I'm going to wait until I get my novel published to tell THAT special story. :)

It seems I've read post after post lately about finding the right balance in our lives as writers. This next little excerpt pertains not only to writers, but to everyone I think.  I'll let Patterson tell it, because he's PATTERSON for goodness' sake. 

It's the story of the five balls.

Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls -- family, health, friends, integrity -- are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.

I'm not sure where Patterson got this idea, but man, is it a good one or what? It struck me as so incredibly true! 

What about you? Can you relate to this lesson?

13 comments:

  1. That is a perfect analogy. I have been thinking more and more lately about balance in my life. What I need to focus on that I am not focusing on. And my family is glass because my son is growing so fast and these moments will have gone away forever.

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  2. I like it. I always have to remind myself that my kids are only going to be little for a few years and I don't want to miss enjoying their sweet little selves because I'm busy with unimportant things.

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  3. That's perfect! It is so true. I forget it sometimes, though. Thanks for the reminder. And I love U2.

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  4. Oooh, that IS a good lesson!

    I love U2, too. Would have loved to have heard Bono live.

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  5. Question, does your hubbie like Bono as much as you? Teehee...sounds like the concert was a blast.

    Good post, even with Bono...Glass balls, even with super glue they still look damaged. But hey, the "Maker" of the balls can "redo!" Yeah!!
    Thanks Beth

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  6. I just lucked out and landed U2 tickets today (through my husband's business contact), so this is timely. I'm glad the concert was so awesome. I can't wait to see them for myself.

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  7. Great reminder that writing shouldn't be life encompassing and we should balance everything else.

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  8. Great lesson! And can you believe I've never been big into U2? Although, I'm not big into music, period. Never really have been. I'm just a radio gal. No iPod or anything like that. My friend is a Bonno freak though!

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  9. I read that book also and really enjoyed it :)

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  10. Wow. That is a good analogy. It makes me feel like my priorities need to shift a bit.

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  11. I think I'm getting that you (heart) Bono.... glad you enjoyed the concert. Have a geat weekend. :O)

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  12. Beth, remember when you left a comment on Jody Hedlund's blog last month?

    You won a free copy of The Familiar Stranger!

    Send your mailing address to christina [at] christinaberry [dot] net and I'll get that puppy right off to you. :D

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  13. Bono--heh, heh! Thanks for making me smile!

    What a great analogy of the balls. Isn't it true? We can't just drop our family, our faith. They're our support! We drop them and we drop ourselves.

    Love this!

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