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Don Houts's avatar

I’m guessing you won’t like the word and it’s true that as I’ve gotten older, Ater listening to thousands of people tell me their darkest secrets, I have less of a grip on what it means to be normal. I’m not talking about the external accomplishments because yours are far from normal. I am talking about the internal angst about how you judge what you’ve done, what you’re doing now, where you’re headed. I see nothing abnormal about that as you try to find some balance in all the demands you’re facing. Balance is an elusive goal that you and I strive for, constantly, make adjustments for, and frequently have to learn from the mistakes we make. Such is life, such is usual and normal. Sorry, no other more pleasing diagnosis comes to mind.

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Jeff Garvin's avatar

I appreciate your perspective. These days, I try not to take my own thoughts too personally. And I’ll settle with not being abnormal. For now.

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Jessica's avatar

Ugh, Jeff. I could have written this entire thing. This is actually the second blog post by a writer that I read today that tied the need to keep writing with the need to be SEEN and...damn, I've never thought about that before, but it's soooo true for me. This was like a therapy breakthrough for me, for real. I have a need to be seen and validated that is so deep inside of me that I can't quit anything, either. I keep adding things because THIS MIGHT BE THE THING. Yeesh.

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Jeff Garvin's avatar

I’m glad you can relate, but also…sorry?

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Joseph Wilbur's avatar

Sometimes it seems like you're reading my mind. I have many similar thoughts but I hate performing and being in the public spotlight. It's one of the biggest hurdles to getting published for me. The fear of putting myself out there.

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Susan Olson's avatar

I’m so glad you are not quitting the podcast! Or writing. Or the band. Do you play in LA?

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Jeff Garvin's avatar

Ha! Thanks. Mostly OC & IE

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