Originally, I wanted to use this quote for a piece of fiction, but then I thought, who am I kidding? What piece of fiction would do the real-world relevance of this quote any justice?
For a bit of background, this quote comes from an uncomfortable novella called ‘Alexander’s Bridge’, written by Willa Cather. I thought it was uncomfortable because it was a little clunky and slightly underdeveloped. Also it left a morbid terror in my heart. It is short, and a good read, if anybody is interested. You can even read it for free online on this website, if you desire.
You have decided to leave some birds in the bushes. You used to want them all.
I want all the birds in the bushes. I want to be the nicest, kindest, prettiest, most skilled, most revered person about. It is a secret, but I do. I want my husband to think I am the most beautiful woman he ever saw, the most interesting, funny, intelligent, valuable. I want myself to think it, and be it, and not care so much if he or anybody else thinks it either. I want to be relevant, but indifferent to my relevance. Ugh, that sounds whiny.
I want to be the most successful, do the best, speak the most interesting and outrageous words, make an impact that will make people look up and pay attention. Maybe even influence their thought processes. Maybe create a ripple through time, affecting future generations.
But I also realise this about myself; I am lazy, I don’t think hard enough, I don’t apply my thoughts, I waste a ridiculous amount of time, I procrastinate and lie about, I don’t tie ends together, I trail thoughts in the sand until they are unrecognisable mounds to be discarded.
In short, I am not a ‘great’.
I stumble, mumble, and am naive.
It is the truth.
I have a myriad of interests, but hone none of my skills. I am only slightly good at multiple things.
Jack of all trades, master of none.
I want everything. And because I want everything, I have nothing.
There.
I need to pick a skill, see, or a couple of skills (hah, doing it again), and master it. Then I will achieve what I want to. There is not enough time in life to master everything. And if you want to master something, like I do, then you have to make a decision.
My mother says it’s our generation. Apparently we all want to be famous and rich and successful. But that isn’t what I want. I don’t want to be famous, or even rich. I just want to know I have mastered something, that I have something to offer, that I have something I can say I worked hard for and achieved, that I made a difference that is positive. That I was intelligent and applied my intelligence correctly, that people learned something important from me.
Do you want all the birds in the bushes? Or have you plucked a couple and left the rest for other people?
Rosemary Millette artwork. Rosemary paints pictures around her hometown of South Dakota. Rosemary’s artwork has been featured on numerous state conservation stamps and she partners with many groups working to preserve wildlife and the natural world.
Ocean Bream 
Just one, writing fiction. Well, I do like writing non-fiction too. Oh, and poetry. But tht’s it! I do illustrate some of my writing, so I want to master drawing. I often colorize them, so computer art. Oh, and painting. I love to paint. But that’s it! OK, photography. I love photography, but that goes without saying, doesn’t it? So nothing more, just writing fiction, non fiction, poetry, drawing, computer art, painting and photography. That’s it! Uhm, yes, I play around with music a little. OK, I have thousands of dollars of electronic instruments (synthesizers) and recording gear. Oh, I do like to compose my own music and spent thousands of hours studying classical composition. But that’s it! (Of course, I won’t include non-art activities, like electronics, programing, kayaking, hiking, bicycling, running, etc. I do want to master those too, but they’re not art, so I can safely ignore them while I practice them. And all of those things i do at work (too many technical things to write, money management, people management, etc.) don’t count either.) So just one bird, writing 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaaa, I love this. Fantastic! If all those interests, sorry I mean writing, keep you motivated and happy, which they certainly appear to, then you are truly a blessed individual. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Unfortunately, that phrase you used, jack of all trades, master at none, fits a little too closely. Oh well, I have fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the most important thing, that you feel content and fulfilled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look at it another way. One may not have everything, they still have much … the question is do they see it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
From a different perspective! I like that, one should reset their mental modes every so often, and try to look through a different lens 🙂 Thank you for sharing this insight, Frank. I hope you are well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alternate perspectives can create thinking!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m intrigued by so much, skilled at so little, desire to have that skill drives me bonkers.
LikeLike