Philosophy

I have always enjoyed reading and writing. Nuanced words eloquently strung together mean the world to me. Growing up in a country with a language known by only some 10 million people, we were taught British English beginning at age 10. Like people from other small countries, Swedes are fluent in English and since we have been dependent on trade (and plunder) since the age of the Vikings, often in one or two more languages.

Landing in the US with a Swedish corporation in the mid-nineties, I thought I was prepared to communicate with the Americans. After 17 years I am here to tell you that British English and American English are not the same. And for someone who is fluent in English and French in addition to her native Swedish, that was “a bit of shock” (British expression, extremely understated, meaning a huge and abrupt awakening).

But I digress. What I meant to say is this. In preparation for long hours on the water while traveling south at “retirement speed”, I purchased a little book called “the Pocket Muse – Ideas and Inspirations for writing” by Monica Wood. That is exactly what it is and when I opened it yesterday, the first page stated:

“What are you waiting for? If not now, then when?”

Exactly. Do it.