When Different Messengers Have the Same Message
My mind has been contemplating the idea of tending one's creative fire.
Mostly because I'm a terrible fire-tender.
Interestingly, several blogs that I read have had posts about similar notions, and I received two encouraging emails from friends and fellow writers. I realized that many different messengers, some of whom I do not know personally, were saying the same thing. Which in short is "lighten up on yourself, already."
More specifically, to me, the messages can be distilled into three main themes:
1. Women expect far too much of themselves when they determine they must be all things to all people, and while they're at it, have productive careers, perfect families, tidy & clean homes, and impeccable social lives with thank you notes written, birthday cards sent, and all gifts beautifully wrapped and delivered on time. So be gentle with yourself and live the life you want, not what you think everyone expects of you.
2. No time is ever wasted if we are present, engaged, and observing life's details.
3. Life has seasons. Sometimes by forcing things we fail, when by waiting and allowing ideas to ripen, we'll have an easier time of it -- less wrestling something to the ground, more waltzing with it in the moonlight.
Living deliberately takes effort. For me it's the effort to say no, to set healthy boundaries, to make time for what I want to do rather than the endless To Do list. It's denying the urge to blame, to feel resentful of what I think others should be doing to help, and to give up my dreams because it's all easier than carving out time for what I want. It's facing the Inner Perfectionist and telling her to Just Shut Up.
My question for my wonderful friends who read this blog: how do you DO IT? All advice is welcome.
The idea of the creative fire came from a book I read years ago, titled Women Who Run with the Wolves. Apparently she has another book by the title The Creative Fire, but I haven't read it. This photo is from a blog titled On FIRE, and the original artist is not credited, sorry.
Mostly because I'm a terrible fire-tender.
Interestingly, several blogs that I read have had posts about similar notions, and I received two encouraging emails from friends and fellow writers. I realized that many different messengers, some of whom I do not know personally, were saying the same thing. Which in short is "lighten up on yourself, already."
More specifically, to me, the messages can be distilled into three main themes:
1. Women expect far too much of themselves when they determine they must be all things to all people, and while they're at it, have productive careers, perfect families, tidy & clean homes, and impeccable social lives with thank you notes written, birthday cards sent, and all gifts beautifully wrapped and delivered on time. So be gentle with yourself and live the life you want, not what you think everyone expects of you.
2. No time is ever wasted if we are present, engaged, and observing life's details.
3. Life has seasons. Sometimes by forcing things we fail, when by waiting and allowing ideas to ripen, we'll have an easier time of it -- less wrestling something to the ground, more waltzing with it in the moonlight.
Living deliberately takes effort. For me it's the effort to say no, to set healthy boundaries, to make time for what I want to do rather than the endless To Do list. It's denying the urge to blame, to feel resentful of what I think others should be doing to help, and to give up my dreams because it's all easier than carving out time for what I want. It's facing the Inner Perfectionist and telling her to Just Shut Up.
My question for my wonderful friends who read this blog: how do you DO IT? All advice is welcome.
The idea of the creative fire came from a book I read years ago, titled Women Who Run with the Wolves. Apparently she has another book by the title The Creative Fire, but I haven't read it. This photo is from a blog titled On FIRE, and the original artist is not credited, sorry.
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