Today the U.S. celebrates Labor Day as a national holiday.
Eight years ago I posted the below video on Labor Day and asked readers to think of ways this bear’s activity is a metaphor for the writing life. For life in general. Or write a 100-word short story about what you saw.
I’ve left the creativity of those comments below. Add yours to the mix!
Enjoy!
Fun Fridays – September 1, 2023
Goodness! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything work so hard at rolling down a hill! LOL
A perfect representation of a writer’s life: expend a lot of energy to get things rolling, then hit an obstacle that either slows or halts our progress. Rest for a while (not too long or we might begin to think it’s easier to just lie there), then you’re ready to go again. Sometimes it’s difficult and takes a lot of energy and determintation to get back on our feet, but a true writer never gives up. And, we must remember, there are people out there watching.
Loved this!
My thought is: Even the journeys that seem simple can be fraught with difficulties, but it is the wise bear (ahem, person) who enjoys himself along the way. (And as a side benefit, keeps a large group of unsuspecting people occupied while his bear buddy raids all their lunches?).
Nancy covered it beautifully, with the exception of one point: that bear was always going downhill. When we say “it’s all downhill from here,” some folks mean things are only going to get worse, while some mean that from now on, gravity will help and the work won’t be so hard. Which of those interpretations is most applicable seems to change from day to day for a writer, but I think that bear thought going downhill was nothing but fun.
Obviously the poor guy has a sticker in his foot and was on the downhill slide. Why is it you can’t get anywhere with out editing that thing out?
Okay, it’s 67 words over… but I’ve got to get going so here it is, as is, inspired by the bear!
Not exactly her favorite activity, scrubbing the kitchen floor. After sweeping and dry-swiffering any broom-escaping hairs, she splashed a bucket of soapy water across it with a single swoosh-and-splat. And then, instead of taking the mop in hand, she pondered the nearby laundry basket. A pair of socks drooped invitingly over the edge. She plucked them out, slipped them on, and eased onto the slippery floor in one ice capades entrance. Music! She needed music! Boldly belting out “Someday my prince will come!” she skated and balleted her way back and forth, not noticing her audience of one. On the front walkway, a young man stood watching with an expression of amusement and admiration. Laden down with the pool-cleaning equipment, he was seeing the woman he had always hoped existed somewhere. Someone silly and sexy and singing, free and funny, promising a life like that with whoever was lucky enough to walk up to her door and get her phone number on the pool service contract renewal.
What I got from the video was that the bear enjoyed what he was doing. On the small inclines and flat places, he paused then wiggled his way past them and rolled some more. But he enjoyed the rolling so much that he got past those inclines (criticisms/rejections) and the flat places (burn-out) to get back to what he really enjoyed.
Rolling!
The same with writers. We need to learn from then wiggle past the rejections, overcome the feelings of burn-out. Then we can get back to what we really enjoy.
Writing!
Play! Enjoy that journey. Even if it’s all by yourself. And when you get stuck (or the fat gets in the way)–roll about bit-by-bit and soon you’ll be on your way again.
Things had gotten really tough
for Sisyphus the Bear.
Most bears would have had enough,
but Sisy didn’t care
to beg relief of given task
of rolling down the hill
(though he not knew whom he might ask),
so he set with ursine will
to accomplish his work yet again
with style and grace and vim,
but at bottom-rest could not remain,
for longing stirred so deep within
to regain the peak when he was through,
because he so enjoyed the view.
Extra points for “ursine” and Sisyphus reference, Andrew!
we just gotta keep bear-rolling on
Rolling, rolling down the mountain. My manuscript is finished. I came out of hiding. Winter time is over.
Rolling. I have a belly full of chocolate. I’ve had a pot of coffee. My brain cells are all firing. Rolling.
My agent loves my story. My dialogue is spiffy. My ending is amazing. Rolling.
Rolling down the mountain. I’m going to be a rockstar when my book is published. Rolling.
I’m kicking up my feet now. I’m celebrating summer. Rolling.
Maybe I should slow down. I don’t know how to stop this. Time to start the sequel. Rolling.
See? That’s the thing about humans. It’s always all about them. Like this “writing” stuff. Who cares about writing, whatever that is. Not me, and not any of the other creatures I know. All we want to do is live and sometimes enjoy ourselves. This video of me (posted without my permission btw, so you will be hearing from my lawyer, Mr. Laube!) is nothing more than me rolling around, taking a break from hunting. It has no other “meaning”. As a bear, I know nothing about writing or meaning, or any of that nonsense. So go, humans, do your own thing, (including writing) and leave us critters out of it.
Perfect!
When I’m not writing, I’m a professional tax preparer. During tax season the rolling goes as expected. When writing it does sort of feel like that bear!
Thanks for sharing that video, it made my morning.
Georgia Francis
“Dr. Parry you are fired as of today.
“Why?”
“Because you took coffee breaks between patients. Come get your stuff.”
And so I was escorted out of the clinic where I loved my people so much.
I have truly met a number of really mean people in my life. But God used even those people! You should see what came next.
Sometimes, life isn’t easy. You just have to grin and bear it. 😊
(to be sung to the time of the rawhide theme song…yes, i am that old)
Rolling, rolling, rolling
Keep that writing rolling author
Through writers block and printer failures
The christys and the Carol’s
Are waiting if you meet your deadline
Moving moving moving
Critics disapproving
Keep that writing moving author
Thick skin is what you’re gaining
So do not be complaining
Keep typing till you meet your deadline
Type it up
Cut it out
Type it up
Cut it out
Author!
I appreciate this fun and tenacious Grizzly bear! This is an excellent example of the writing life—rolling downhill, scratching your back, getting back up, and experiencing the fun of learning all over again! This video uplifted me, including seeing and hearing the voice of Andrew! Thank you for your Labor Day encouragement.
Go with the flow!!! 🥰 Sometimes you start out with your characters, plot alll laid out, even the ending in your head!!
Sometimes all you have is a a title God put in your mind during prayer! Put it to paper and go with the flow!! 🙏🏻 Let Him give you the words! Day by day!! As you pray He will tell you what to say! Simply “go” or in this case roll “with the flow “!! ✝️🛐
I’d bear hug that bear, and roll with her flow.
I get your attention by acting silly. As long as I keep my distance, you are spellbound. But if I were to stand and charge at you full speed with my teeth showing, you’d likely run away! That’s a Christian writer’s dilemma: keep it light and easy or attack serious issues that frighten folks; keep them entertained or challenge their faith with uncomfortable truth. Which behavior exemplifies your approach?
I have a purpose. I know I do. All the bears depend on me. Wait! Where did everyone go? You mean I’m at the office alone? Okay, then, I’ll just slip out here and take a look. I mean, nothing but this big empty space! What do they think they’re doing, leaving without letting me know? Just so rude. Insubordinate, I say. But hey, this is pretty nice. It’s, like, wow. This hill. Every day I walk up it and for what? To supervise. And every day I walk back down. For what? To go back up again the next day. Well, then. Hmmm. No one is looking, just one little tumble…oh, that was fun! Maybe I’ll try that again…yup, this is too much fun! Why didn’t I think of this before? Now this is the way to travel! How many rolls does it take to make it down? 20? 30? It’s a hypothesis that must be tested. Look out, oof. Here I come, oof. Oof, oof, oof…
Did bear have a thorn in his paw
And couldn’t walk far? Umm, nah.
We know how difficult walking down hill can be.
This bear of very much brain could also see
An alternate route to his going forward was fun and easy.