We’ve passed the nadir and are swinging back toward the light. The light is lasting longer, even if it’s imperceptible right now.
One of my Twitter pen pals, Lou Knight, asked the other day what our one word of the year might be. At first I thought mine was focus, but as I’ve thought about it more, I’ve decided it’s actually return. Because my focus wavers, I wobble and wibble (hee hee), but every moment I have the opportunity to return to the object of my focus. I get to practice this in meditation, gently drawing my mind back to my breath or my mantra. Likewise, there are a myriad of distractions, and I get pulled by them, and then I notice and return my attention back to the work at hand, whatever that might be.
So, in the spirit of return, I’m taking up my friend GG Silverman’s challenge to embrace your fears for total writing awesomeness. GG shared her fear:
I told her my deepest, darkest fear: I was afraid that when I fully came out of my shell as a writer, that I’d be a scary, ugly spider instead of a beautiful butterfly, and that people would hate me.
Her response changed my life:
“It’s okay to be a scary spider. The world needs spiders, too.”
And the challenge:
Your assignment: take ten minutes to make a list of things that scare you the most, then the next time you have ten free minutes, write about one of them, and go deep. I guarantee it will be some of your most powerful, emotional writing. For extra credit, post the results on your own blog, and tag me with your link on Twitter (I’m @GG_Silverman) using the hashtag #FearlessWriting, or let me know if this exercise inspired an amazing story. I’d love to hear from you.
This challenge nearly sets my teeth on edge and turns my innards to liquid, but what the hell, it’s probably not going to kill me. Ha! Would love it if anyone else wants to join me in “hugging some spiders” this week. I don’t know that I’ll post what I write, but I may share a snippet. Who’s in?
It does indeed sound scary, but I’m definitely up for trying this out. I’m interested to see what I might find out about myself…. eek! x
Yay! And yes, please do report back and let us know how it goes!
I’m super proud for you for giving this a shot, and don’t feel like you have to share right away, or at all. This is 100% for you, and no one else. Go, woman!
Thanks for the encouragement! You are kind, Spider Overlord :P.
I shall try this.
Awesome! I hope you’ll report back on your experience!
First time posting on your blog! *does a happy dance*
I love that you have chosen RETURN. It holds so many associations & positive nods to the cycles of nature.
I too am taking part in the #Fearless Writing challenge, it’ll be fun. Shall share on my blog most likely.
There’s nothing wrong with a little wobble. The Earth wobbles on her trajectory around the Sun. I like to think she’s dancing to her own tune as an example to us all 🙂
Yay! And yippee!
Thank you. Yes, I like that resonance, too.
I love that idea of the wobble as a dance. I’m going to take it and run with it! Looking forward to seeing how this exercise works for you, too.
Hi GG,
I love this idea, no matter how scary it is! I shall give it a go and see what comes out. I’m happy to share too. *squeals* So exciting! XXX
Hey Elaine,
This is Jill. But it’s DEFINITELY GG’s idea. Looking forward to seeing what comes up for you!
I’m going to try this! It sounds rich and hard.
Yay! I often find that something I think is going to be hard ends up being easier than I expected. Fear is like this weird magnifier! I hope you will report back!
Jill, So sorry! I think I got confused somewhere.
I’m scribbling notes as I type this so you should hear from me soon.
XXX
No worries! I think you might have come here from GG’s tweet. I understand why you’re confused. Looking forward to hearing your report. I started part I today :D.