It’s Saturday afternoon, and I’m at the end of my first full week of writing. I can hardly believe it, but I’ve written 4 whole chapters this week, much more than I had intended…. Yahoo!

Let there be no idealization here: the creative process is certainly not always easy or comfortable. Just like we face our inner demons (fear, doubt, laziness, pride) when we sit on our meditation cushions or step on our yoga mats (or choose to live with mindfulness), those same forces rear their not-so-pretty heads when I sit down to write. Not all the time, but a lot of the time. Thank goodness for deadlines, I don’t have the luxury of giving into their illusion. I need to keep going. To be compassionate with myself. To not get entangled. Just like when I sit on my meditation cushion, I stay with my breath and feeling my body, regardless of what thoughts and emotions storm through me.

At the end of this week, I feel like I’ve lived a month in the past 7 days. Do you ever have those weeks? Not in a bad way, just in a really insight and experience-rich way–even though I’ve been been alone 99% of the time.

I thought I’d share with you some of the little things that are currently rocking my world and illuminating my muse. Hopefully they will ignite a creative spark in you, too! It’s a rather random assortment; but summer is, after all, the season of enthusiasm (which I’m writing about in depth in the coming week….)

1. Vajra Yogini. I have a framed print of this Tantric dakini in my meditation nook. (Painted by a lovely member of the WOHW world community) Ever morning I look into her wild eyes and fearless stance and feel my own inner fire through her untamed dance and expression. She gives me courage to break through limitations and inhabitions–inner and outer.

2. Calla Lilies. If I were a flower, I’d be a calla lily. They’re simple, elegant, delicate–and powerful. A bunch of them are growing right outside my door and I’ve asked their permission to cut one and keep her in a simple, crystal vase inside with me.

3. Sticking to a Schedule. Rhythm and structure currently give me a sense of stability and the freedom to let my creativity flow. Here’s what’s working for me right now: a) When I wake up in the morning, going straight to my meditation cushion, followed by writing 3 “morning pages” in my journal. b) Writing for 2-3 2 hour periods each day. c) Staying off the Internet and turning off my phone.

4. Afternoon Walks. I am really loving exploring Ashland by foot. After a full day of hibernation and intense output at my computer, I delight in the summer sun, warm air, smells, and colors. Cherries are in season here now…yummy.

5. Weeds. I treated myself to a Netflix membership this summer to help decompress some evenings after writing. This week I’ve gotten really absorbed in the series “Weeds.” I’ve heard about this show for years and it’s pretty addicting. It’s dark and witty.

6. The Enneagram. Susan Piver ignited my interest in this during the writing retreat I took with her earlier this month. This book is really rocking my world. It’s giving me a lot of insight into who I am and how I function–as well as new ways of looking at others (family members, ex-boyfriends, clients, colleagues, movie stars). I’m really excited to keep learning more about it.

7. Breakfast Smoothies. Always a staple of mine, I’m sipping them out in the sun every morning. Right now I like making my own almond milk, and then adding: banana, blueberries, kale, green powder, maca, chia seeds, and brown rice protein powder.

8. Formspring. I first heard about this through Kimberly Wilson, always an innovator. I’ve enjoyed answering random, interesting questions from many of you here during my free time. You’re welcome to continue asking away!

And you, what’s rocking YOUR world?

6 Comments »