Discovery and the Writer’s Life
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By Tim Anderson
“I do not seek. I find”
–Pablo Picasso
How do we discover?
Picasso, in a process as brash as his art, simply bypassed the process of seeking and went straight to the heart of finding. Perhaps that was part of his brilliance. The sheer arrogance of certainty.
I find my process of discovery to be quite different. I seek. Long and hard, days and weeks and months of seeking. Many times I seek without finding. But, when life is kind to me, I find unexpected treasures along the path. While I’m in hot pursuit of an idea, a new bit of knowledge jumps out and accosts me. It’s always a delight.
I often see, and hear, Belted Kingfishers on my morning walks. These duck-like birds have a harsh, prehistoric call that is unmistakable. As their name implies, they are expert fishers, and I thrill to see them cruise along the creek at dizzying speeds and then dive in pursuit of their prey. Any morning I see a Kingfisher is a good morning.
On a recent trip, my wife and I took a walk around a small suburban pond. As we walked, we heard the familiar chatter and saw a Kingfisher darting across the open water. Then, in a display I had never seen, he skyrocketed straight upwards, like a jet at an air show, and then hovered in space. He hung motionless at the apex of his climb, his wings flapping wildly, as he surveyed the water beneath for quarry.
A new discovery - what delight.
Sometimes, this is how discovery happens. We leave our familiar surroundings, break our dusty, old habits and there it is. The very thing we’ve been staring at, that we hardly any longer give a second thought to, is brand new.
Step outside. Shake off the dust. Try something new.
Delight in the discoveries…
Enjoy the journey.
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Tim Anderson specializes in writing health content and press releases. Check out his bio. and other samples of his work by clicking on his name above.
Topics: writing tips, writing technique |