Great Sheryl Crow song. I saw her in Arby’s once, buying roast beef with two huge bodyguards. Still find that a bit weird. But anyway…the first cut is the deepest. The first step is the hardest. The first of anything is the most difficult. Hurts the most. Holds the most resistance. Last Tuesday, I finally took the first cut at my book, the one I recently promised I would write. And it hurt. It was painful. I slogged through 15 pages and left myself underwhelmed. The lies ensued. The distractions began. The adversity within myself and beyond myself.

But Saturday night, while watching college football with some friends, a buddy asked me if I’d ‘started the book yet. I grinned as I said, “Yes, yes I have as a matter of fact.” I have broken the seal. Taken the hardest step. Being able to say that to my buddy took me from discouraged to encouraged in six seconds or less. I still am not thrilled with the first 15 pages, but that’s what editing is all about. I have a long, long, long way to go, but I’ve taken the first step, made the first cut, felt the initial pain and pushed through it, at least for the moment.

If Sheryl is right, and the first cut truly is the deepest, that’s good news. However, this theory doesn’t suggest that subsequent cuts don’t hurt. I expect to hit walls and hear lies all the way through this project. But there’s something about knowing you’ve already taken the opposition’s best shot that is invigorating. I say bring on the second cut. I feel certain I can manage the pain.