The Impetus of my Writing, Pain Impedes Impact, Discovering Your Artistic Articulation
"A person does not reach the pinnacle of self-realization without relentlessly exploring the parameters of the self, exhausting their psychic energy coming to know oneself. Without society to rebel against and to sail away from, there would be no advances in civilization; there would be no need for healers and mystics, priests and artists, or shaman and writers. It is our curiosity and refusal to be satisfied with the status quo that compels us to challenge ourselves to learn and continue to grow.
I woke up to the most beautiful sunrise with a Queen. I took a picture; it did not do it justice, I’ll let your mind create the first image we saw upon waking. For the second night in a row I did not take any Advil, my back starts chirping about 4:00 a.m., but I can power through, for future reference, if you break your back, it takes about 31 days to heal.
That last statement might be bullshit, it was my experience, but I think I might be one of the luckiest people on the planet, 31 days since my near-death experience, I’m living louder and bolder than I have in years. I have a new appreciation for love, but more importantly pain.
We arrived back home about 4:00 p.m. to our mountain home, my Queen had been taking care of business in Indiana, I had driven out our kid 1187 miles early week and then ended at my men’s retreat. It was a great week, a week of connection, lessons, and mind expansion.
Every meeting I attend, I take notes, it helps keep my mind engaged, and I get the benefit of reflecting on the unique combination of words at a later date.
My mission this morning is to share some thoughts and ideas I picked up this week at my various meetings. I hope they resonate with you as they resonated with me. This is the impetus of my writing, I seek daily word orders that spark a moment of wonder, pen the words and then go back and interpret.
Finish Strong
No matter your situation, finish the job strong. Dash across the finish line, people will never remember how you started, but they will always remember how you finished.
Impact Zone
We all have a zone that allows us to impact our lovers, family, business, and society most positively. What or where is your zone, are you there or do you need to adjust to hit the zone. Personally, since the accident, I’ve not had the impact I’ve had in the past, but I can feel that changing. Pain impedes impact.
Instead of chasing the world, let the world come to you.
Stop running, stop moving, plant your feet, and get a firm hold of the earth. Wait, watch, and let the world come to you, then, and only then can you begin to shape it as you see fit.
Find Your Wheelbarrow
We work so hard to push rocks up hills, it’s a struggle, it’s what we think we should do, but don’t forget there are wheelbarrows. There are tools and equipment that can make the journey easier, where in your life can you inset a wheelbarrow to make your life easier, nicer, more complete.
What are you Grinding?
We all grind, We all push, move, stretch towards goals, but many of us forget what the hell we are grinding for. Hell, many of us forget we are grinding, But you are grinding, and we need to figure out what and why we grind every day. The day we stop grinding is the day we die.
What is the downside?
A question many times not asked. We all have decisions, we choose to do A or B, but many take countless hours deciding which option would be best. I’ve written many times; there is no wrong answer, there is no wrong decision, make a choice and own it. There is always an upside and a downside, forget the upside, figure out the downside and choose, stop wasting time on simple decisions.
Connect with the frequency of the moment.
Every moment has a frequency, we as humans can dial into this frequency and be present, be aware, and be a part of our surroundings. Many times that simply means being quiet, listening, watching, and learning from our fellow humans or nature. Stop talking, tune in, and become a part of something greater than yourself.
These were random notes I took down this past week, I attended some meetings, listened to a few podcasts, and attended my annual men’s retreat. There are lessons given freely every day, most let them pass, but some of us grab them, make a note, and then reflect on what those words mean to us as an individual.
I was with a friend that is starting his journey as a writer, I think it a gift, not everyone has it, but if you think you can write, you can write, just pick up a pencil and paper and begin to scribble. I would say the same with any art; we are all artists, some of us just take longer to find our artistic articulation.
If you want to start writing, grab a small notebook, and carry it with you. Make notes of things you hear that resonate with you. Words connected that ring a bell inside your head. Later, write the words and then interpret them as to what they mean that very moment.
I’ve used this exercise before, it’s always interesting, and I will give you this gift this morning. You, if reading these words, can also write, you have a mind, you can put words together, and I think you might be surprised what comes out of your subconscious.
Many days I go back and read what I wrote a few days before and am a little surprised with my word selection and word order. Its as if the person writing these words is not me, but some other being I am channeling from a distance, and the words are just as important for me as they are for others.
As I write these words, I’ve high. I’m sitting at 8232 feet, I’m sipping some amazing coffee, the sunrise is a painting, and my fireplace is dancing as if to say “why not join me?”
I hope these words resonate with you. I hope you find hope, comfort, and joy in my word selection and word order I have chosen. I think there might be a nugget or two for everyone, if not you; I’m sorry I did my best. I encourage you to pen a few thoughts, share what is in your mind, keep it private or share, the world needs to hear your voice but don’t whisper, roar as loud as you can.
"A person does not reach the pinnacle of self-realization without relentlessly exploring the parameters of the self, exhausting their psychic energy coming to know oneself. Without society to rebel against and to sail away from, there would be no advances in civilization; there would be no need for healers and mystics, priests and artists, or shaman and writers. It is our curiosity and refusal to be satisfied with the status quo that compels us to challenge ourselves to learn and continue to grow.