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That unintentionally profound statement also proved to be
kind of wisdom that only comes about when a person doesn’t know enough about a situation to know that something is “impossible.” There were perfectly logical reasons for all smooshing going on out there on field, but that mom didn’t know about any of them—so she came up with a simple solution to problem. I could relate, since I’d experienced a perfect example of that when my friend Digger and I were still in high school.
We had decided that we wanted to write and sell jingles for radio commercials. Filled with youthful enthusiasm, we threw ourselves into our quest and before a month had passed, we’d already sold three. Then one night, during recording session for our third jingle, an advertising executive happened to tell us how amazing it was that two kids could have done impossible by selling jingles—when everyone knew it could only be done by most accomplished, professional musicians. That was last jingle we ever sold.
We’d stopped running in open field and bogged down in tangle of bodies at line of scrimmage—we smooshed. So if you have a dream, hold it up to light, keep your eyes on it at all times, and above all—never let anyone tell you that what you’re trying to do is impossible.
And whenever you find yourself beginning to lose heart—stop, take a deep breath, and repeat these words: “No smooshing!”
© 2004. Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.
Gary Anderson is a freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and manuscript analyst, living on a small Iowa farm. He’s published more than 500 articles and four books. He’s also ghosted a dozen books, edited more than 30 full-length manuscripts, produced seven newsletters, and has done more than 800 manuscript reviews for various publishers around the nation. If you need writing or editing help, visit Gary’s website at www.abciowa.com.
