My daughter B, home from college, is sleeping in my writing space.
I feel displaced, frustrated. Failing.
What about all the things I hoped to accomplish this summer?
Publishing: submit
Short story: start
Art: finish picture book
Novel: get halfway through this monster
Nonfiction: draft book
I’m not getting anywhere. Stuck.
“So, Christi,” I ask myself. “Why are these things so important, anyway?”
I take the list apart and look closely.
Publishing.
I want to get my words “out there.” I want to mean something.
Short Story.
I love the fun of a short piece, the surprise of discovering where it will go.
Art.
I want my art to delight.
Novel.
I want to fuel my creative life, to stay with the craft and enjoy it.
Nonfiction.
I want to teach, mentor and forge relationships.
All of the above.
Ultimately, this is why I do everything: to love and be loved.
And then I realize I’m doing it. ALL OF IT!
Total mindset-flip. How?
I stopped looking at the goals (the “what”) and got in touch with my purpose (the “why”).
Things are much simpler than we make them. Your purpose is far more important than your goals.
I invite you to downshift into a greater understanding of why you create.
My list is below. Now it’s your turn.
How I Stayed in My Purpose Today
Publishing:
Made a couple of greetings to send friends. These two hand-crafted cards will mean something to my dear readers. If this isn’t publishing, what is?
Short story:
Chose carefully my words for the cards.
Art:
Decorated the cards.
Novel/fueling creativity:
While cleaning kitchen, listened to John O’Donohue’s thoughts on being an artist (To Bless This Space Between Us). Worked on novel for 15 minutes. Wrote two pages in journal. Walked with a fellow creative coach.
Nonfiction/teaching and mentoring:
All week, taught and coached gifted, appreciative, unique, amazing writers.
“Loved and was loved.”
In the weeks that my daughter has been home, we’ve shared laughter, stress, stories, adventure, art, and hugs.
Which means I’m right on target with what matters to me.
It’s all in knowing what to count.
