I don’t know about you, but I have days where there is nothing there – no inspiration, no creativity, no ah-ha moments…I am just there (here). For some writing and creating is a practice; for others it is an inspiration; for others it is a let-your-fingers-type-and-where-did-that-come-from-experience. Most writers would say that you have to develop a practice. Believe me, I understand the theory, I even understand the practice, but I don’t function that way…perhaps that is true for you as well. What also may be true is the grappling with the knowing of the how-to’s and the actuality of how it is in reality…then in comes the “should’s”…talked about that before, remember?
So this morning I sat down to practice. I honored the process for a few minutes and then I moved on in order to not beat myself up with the “should’s”. I began a chain of doing the small things…organizing my scarves, hats, and gloves – something I have been wanting to do for months…sending a thank you note – something I am usually fashionably late about doing…cleaning the water tray in the refrigerator water dispenser – sadly I admit it was brownish.
I remember hearing Patsy Clairmont, a motivational speaker with Women of Faith. She said in the midst of her depression and agoraphobia (fear of going out)…she started to be thankful in the small things – making her bed. Eventually her strength and abilities grew and her fears lessened. That one point though has stuck with me…when I feel like I am not “accomplishing anything, I remember her being thankful for accomplishing her making the bed.
Back to my “small things”…I sat down for a moment and realized that there was satisfaction in accomplishing the things that I mentioned. It felt good to do things I have been wanting to do. It felt good that one thing led to another and I didn’t follow a list. I didn’t succumb to the should’s. If you were a fly on the wall, you probably would have laughed at me because it wasn’t as smooth as it sounds, but hey, things got done in the funniest of ways.
Ok, I will tell you, I opened the closet, the hats, gloves, and scarves fell off the shelf…so I started to organize them…then there was a bottle of soap in there that I wanted to get out (peppermint soap for the holidays). I took the soap to the powder room and saw that they mirror was dirty…I went to the kitchen to get the spray…and I was thirsty so I went to get a drink of water from the refrigerator and saw that the tray was dirty…I went to wash that and then sat down to check e-mail and thought, “ok, I need to write a thank you note”…I did and I looked up and saw the hats, gloves, and scarves on the floor and returned to organize that…the bathroom light was on and I remembered that I was going to wash the mirror…and so I did. Tasks completed…full circle. There, I told you. Sorry I bored you with the details, but, I bet you have had those very same experiences.
No, these little accomplishments are not writing the next great novel; no they are not impacting the world with my “gifts”; no they are not creating, being productive in the world’s eyes, or even those around me; but, the small things are satisfying inside, for me…I needed to take a moment to appreciate that today. I am grateful for the ability to do the small things…
…And then I sat down to write…and I could…hooray, I am grateful for all things.
Integrative Thought: Big things, small things, they are all the same…take a moment to be grateful for and in the small things.
Before I close, a great big hooorrrraaaayyyy for Susan Dennard. Susan is a writer and blogger.
Susan has answered questions about writing and has been an inspiration through her blogs (she has several)…she has commented on my blog and I feel like I know her…and…she signed a three-book deal…can you imagine. Fellow writers, check out her blogs: www.susandennard.com. Congrats Susan!
Integrative Thought 