Blog Action Day: I Wish You Enough
No matter how many times it happens in my life, it never ceases to amaze me. God, my Higher Power, the universe — or whatever name you give it — always finds a way to snap me out of my narcissistic coma. Whenever my self-importance starts to become a little too important, inevitably, I get my reminder.
This round’s reminder: Blog Action Day.
Recently…Not Even Close to ‘Unobstructed’
So, okay, the last few weeks have not been easy ones. My husband and I have been faced with some hurdles that require significant leaps of faith in order to get over them. Really, the only bright spot has been that, in our new marriage, we have each other to lean on.
All this “upheaval” has truly gotten me out of sorts. I’ve quit blogging all together, but, even worse, I’ve quit any of my personal writing all together as well. The only kind of writing I’ve accomplished in these last few weeks is freelance assignments — and that’s only because they produce income. Even then, it took entirely too much effort to get those articles written and submitted.
So, what have I been doing instead? Not much of anything except wallowing in self-pity. It has been pretty pathetic actually.
This morning, after I finally pulled myself out of bed, made way downstairs and fired up my Mac, there was a kick in the ass waiting for me. As soon as I moved my mouse, and my word clock screen saver disappeared there it was…an iCal alert. Not one of my weekly or monthly reminders, though.
“Write a post for Blog Action Day.”
More Than Enough And No More Excuses
When I am hungry, I eat. When I’m thirsty, I head to the refrigerator. When I am tired, I make my way to a comfortable bed. I have a roof over my head and car in my driveway. I have a husband who would give me the world if it was his to offer. I have a dog, and a cat and a closet full of outfits for every kind of occasion.
I sometimes forget just how rich I really am.
“No one should be able to say, ‘I don’t have a reason to talk about poverty.’”
I made my pledge at blogactionday.org weeks and weeks ago. In just its second year, the blog topic for the this year’s big day is poverty. The idea is to encourage bloggers everywhere to post about the same issue on the same day. It’s an incredible way to shine a big spotlight on a topic that really deserves to bask in the likes of Shea Stadium lighting.
The tricky thing about poverty is that it’s a lot more than just being hungry or homeless. There are so many dimensions — many of those dimensions being things we too often take for granted……While most of us celebrated the new millennium in style, thankful that Y2k bug decided not to bug us, almost one billion people came into the twenty-first century unable read or write, or even sign their own name. [source]
I have no excuse, no reason for not writing. A few strokes of crappy luck, a couple of raw deals here and there and a self-absorbed attitude don’t justify any of it. I live in the land of opportunity. But more importantly, I have the means to take advantage of all that opportunity. I have enough of what I need, and more than enough of what I need to make my dreams and aspirations a reality.
The written word is a powerful, inspiring, compelling, beautiful thing. And, it’s what I do for a living, revel in on a personal level and now, thanks to that iCal reminder, give to others who so desperately need it. Opportunities are everywhere, and I cannot wait to delve deeper for ways I can help.
We All Deserve ‘Enough’
In writing this post, I have had this one, simple, six-line verse in the forefront of all my thoughts and musings. I feel like it could be a good mantra for the Blog Action Day organization and all they strive to do. Life isn’t perfect, and isn’t always pretty either. Instead of letting the ugly moments leave you with an ugly attitude, put them to use in recognizing all the beauty in your life — and in sharing that beauty with other lives that need it.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish enough “Hello’s” to get you through the final “Good-bye.”
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
By: Bob Perks
A Whole New Perspective
In spending an hour on the phone with Dr. Ben Mack last Thursday, I was overwhelmed with the new thoughts and new ways of looking at my business and career goals. It wasn’t a bad kind of overwhelmed, though. Instead, I felt a rush of enlightenment as he presented me with all these new tools for exploring success.
We discussed so much in our brief hour, but the thing that struck a chord with me more than the rest was Ben’s focus on the importance of visualization and oralization. He read right through me on this one.
Learning to Give Yourself Credit When Credit is Due
Sounds pretty easy, huh?
I’ll share my little seceret with you: for me, it’s been a lifelong struggle.
I don’t want to give the impression that I am down on myself, having absolutely no confidence. In fact, it’s very much the opposite of that. I do believe in myself and my work, and have always been confident in my abilities. The place I often run into trouble is letting the tiny details have too much power and influence over that confidence.
Confidence with a small mix of trepidation. Yeah, Ben hit the bullseye on that one. It almost becomes this taboo notion within myself….that crossing a certain line of total confidence makes me arrogant. Ben really opened my eyes and showed me that doesn’t have to be the case.
Ben Challenge to Me and My Challenge to You
“I’ll just have water.”
Just? What good does this work serve? Absolutely none.
It’s a word that I eliminate from my writing. If it slips in their during an expressively written first draft, I’ve edited it out by the second draft. Now it’s time to remove it from my life completely. I think you should do the same.
One step closer to where I want to be…
Connecting With Your Roots
In The Right to Write, Julia Cameron includes a chapter about “roots” as related to writing life.
In order to bloom, all of us need a root system. Just as a regular practice of writing roots us firmly in our lives, a regular life roots us firmly in our writing.
Sometimes I get so swept up and taken away by all the creativity pumping through my veins. Do you get that? Inspiration overdrive, baby. I get tuned in and this state-of-mind can last a few minutes, a few hours or even a few days. And, when I am in creative-mad-woman mode, it’s hard to pull myself away. But, I have to - and so do you.
My wedding is in 9 days. For the last eight months, August 23, 2008 has been this sanctimonious day on my calendar. Crazy how a day can cause normally rational people to get downright irrational at times. (I’m mainly referring to myself). So much focus on that one single day. I recently realized what was happening.
The deeper I sank into the trenches of the wedding hoopla, the more roots I was severing. If I kept going at this pace, I’d have no lifeline back to reality - and to the real importance of my wedding day.
Replenishment
I’m blessed with some wonderful people in my life. Four of them will stand next to me as I marry my best friend and the love of my life.
Three of those ladies live in Denver and must have sensed that I was slipping away into wedding insanity. They put me on a plane and treated me to bachelorett fun, Denver style. (The fourth is preggo with twins :))
Nurturing roots of a regular life sure is a whole hell of a lotta fun! Girls, thanks for the much needed break and the memories that will stick with me forever. You gave my roots a much-needed boost.
Forget The Words, Write With Thought
Flipping through an old binder of mine from my incredible experience in Donna Ladd ’s writing classes, I found a Chip Scanlan article from last summer that I printed out and saved:
“Ways with Words, Ways with Thoughts: A Bond with Abraham Lincoln”
Chip got me thinking — which is somewhat amusing, since the whole premise of his post is about how good writers are good at what they do, not because they have a way with words, but because they are so savvy with their thoughts. So,
I only recently discovered how much passion I have for writing. I never had any trouble writing well, and never objected to writing during those years in college and graduate school. But, even through all that writing, I never found the spark to power that intense fire I now have for my craft.
Going back and reading Chip’s article I was suddenly aware of why it took me so long to find that fervor, and why so many people struggle so desperately when faced with the task of writing something - anything.
At War With a Blank Page
Writers and non-writers alike have experienced it. Sitting in front of a clean, white document on your computer screen, or staring at the unfilled lines of a legal pad on your desk. A blank page can be seriously intimidating if you approach it haphazardly. And, for the longest time, I approached it by eyeing what I just assumed was the prize for good writing: the language and the words.
I was so concerned with beautiful presentation, I ignored a fairly important detail. Was my material even worth presenting?
Seeking a Deeper Meaning
It wasn’t instantaneous. I didn’t roll out of bed one morning and decide, “Okay, today is the day I really start to think about my writing.” It would have save a lot of wear an tear on my computer’s backspace key, I can promise you that. No, instead, I gradually opened my eyes to new ideas about the writing process. I credit Donna Ladd, Anne Lamott, Julia Cameron, Chip Scanlan and so many other great thinkers with that awakening.
I finally stepped outside my ego and let go of that unhealthy desire for perfection in every word I put down on paper. Suddenly, writing became my way of making sense of everything, everywhere and everyone I encountered. I was on a quest to find the greater meaning, the ultimate truths, and I had the most reliable compass in the world to lead my on that journey.
Challenging Your Own Thoughts
The next time you get ready to sit down and type or write something, don’t do it. Well, not yet anyway. You probably are not as ready as you think. Instead, take a few minutes, or even a few hours if you’ve got the time, and really think about what you plan to write. You could ask yourself a million questions, but on account of space and bandwidth, I won’t list all of them. Here are some of my favorite questions, thought, that are sure to get your wheels turning. After that the words are easy.
- What will shock the reader most?
- In 10 words, how can I sum up what my story is about?
- What image or symbol best fits my story?
- What famous quote best relates to the topic?
- What one thing MUST be included in the story?
- What one thing can be left out?
- How many scenes does your story need to make sense?
- Is there conflict between any characters?
- Do things backwards. What should your final paragraph say?
- What are 5 words that best describe the sense of place you want to convey to your reader?
- The lede: what piece of info will make the reader want to keep reading?
- Pick 5 things in your story (a character, a place, and object) and list descriptive adjectives for each.
- What makes this story original?
- Think about how you might tell your story to a child?
The possibilities are endless. Once you become open to exploring new directions for your story, you’ll be surprised at how easily your thoughts start flow, and how easy and enjoyable writing is because of that.
How Is Creativity Important In Your Life?
Linda Dessau posted an article at Creativity Portal a few days ago. The article, “What Does Creativity Bring To Your Life?,” is based on interviews she did with 19 different artists. And, it got me thinking about what creativity means in my life because it is such a huge part of everything I do.
In Linda’s article she identifies a number of themes that popped up throughout her discussions. Some stick out more than others, and some truly hit home.
Creativity brings a spiritual connection
Julia Cameron talks about how writing is not an act of pontification, rather one of revelation. I think you can extend that descriprion to include all practices of creative expression. It’s that idea of letting go — letting go and letting yourself become a channel for creativity.
When you can step back far enough and take your ego out of the picture, the creative process becomes this incredible path of discovery - even for the artist. Surprises wait around every corner of enlightenment.
Creativity brings a return to home, a “normalcy”
As my wedding day approaches, I find myself with less and less time to explore all the creative outlets that I love. When I finally find those intimate moments to put my creativity to work, I am immediately at ease, back in my element. When I am away from creating for too long, I become somewhat like this grumpy toddler who’s been toted all over town on mom’s shopping excursions, and wants nothing more than to go home to the place she knows best. For me, that is creativity.
Creativity brings a sense of self-worth and identity
Who am I without my creativity? It is how I make my life and my happiness. Creativity is who I am. I am fulfilled when I write or paint or create something exceptionally special. But really and truly, I am just satisfied when I am writing or painting or creating something. The process is what makes it special for me.
Creativity heals me
I am truly amazed at how powerful self-expression can be when you are hurt or suffering. Truly amazed.
Creativity brings happiness, energy and power
Are there days when you feel so inspired and so fueled by creativity that it almost overwhelms you? Sometimes I will find myself flipping through a magazine or perusing some website, and all of a sudden it’s like someone flipped the switch for my creativity. And they didn’t just flip the switch to ON, they turned it to the highest setting I’ve got. Do you know what I’m talking about? Holy cow, what a rush.
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So, what does creativity bring to your life? Do you identify with any of the themes that Linda listed in her article?
