Now I understand that in order to feel a true sense of belonging, I need to bring the real me to the table and that I can only do that if I’m practicing self-love.
For years I thought it was the other way around: I’ll do whatever it takes to fit in, I’ll feel accepted, and that will make me like myself better.
Just typing those words and thinking about how many years I spent living that way makes me weary.
No wonder I was tired for so long!
Brené Brown
It is important that we find at least one thing that we are passionate about. Something our lives we would do whether we got paid for it or not. This is our heart. And probably an important part of getting through the toughest of times. It a thing we can fall back on when everything else seems to fall apart.
For me, it is writing. I write primarily because I enjoy it.
I am not focused on trying to get paid, boost my number, make it to the New York Times best sellers list, or any of a host of other potential awards or recognitions. Perhaps I should be more concerned with these things, but I am not.
I write almost daily because it brings a sense of peace to my spirit.
If you have read items here on the blog, or my poetry, you already know that I tend to write about serious topics and hard truths much of the time. Many of these are tough writes for me, but things I feel need to be said or explored.
Find your true center, your true heart, your true art. Whatever that thing is for you may not appear as art to someone else, but it does not matter.
Explore it.
Make it part of your daily routine.
Look forward to getting to do it
Feed your spirit for its own sake and for your own sanity.
Yes, awards, accolades, and external props are nice to get. But we lose our way if we make those external validations into must-haves or turn them into hard and fast goals with no ability to move the bar. We tend to exert increasing pressure from the inside and demand better and better outcomes of ourselves with no change in our resources. If what you are picturing right now is your work or your sole income source, then of course, common sense demands that you “follow the money.” Do what you need to for work, but…
I think, ultimately most of us will find that our joy and happiness, contrary to what we have been taught, lies within us, and does not necessarily require outside validation. I write because I enjoy it. Will most of my work get published or be seen by others? No.
Find a thing you love doing. Writing, painting, hiking, element collecting (periodic table), extreme ironing, or competitive duck herding, and just enjoy doing it for the simple pleasure and the full range of emotion that it brings. Yes, those are all real things.
Obtain the minimal tools required to carry your dream forward. Again, use common sense for any advice by anyone. Don’t spend money you don’t have, and don’t buy every tool recommended by “the experts.” Get what you need to get started.
For writing its simple. A pencil and a composition notebook I can get almost anywhere and can carry everywhere.
Just get started!!
The rest, as they say, is gravy.
Chat soon.
Martina
