You Have The Tools

I finished reading a wonderful book, Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg, which talks about how to get our creativity on the page and meditation. It touches upon the idea that writing can be meditation. I love this idea, because I'm not great about sitting quietly for any lengthy period of time. Give it a read even if you aren't a writer. There is useful information for all.

One of my favorite chapters was Trust Yourself. The title alone got my attention since I'm a big believer in the first step we must all take to peacefulness is trusting we have the tools we need for a fulfilled life.

As writers, we must learn to trust our voices. A strong writing voice is what will keep a reader glued to the pages. The writing voice can be nurtured to bloom with time and care like a garden. Or like a yoga pose. Even meditation. What's the trick? Trust yourself! But how do you do that when rejection letters pile up and your critique partners disagree on your piece or your teacher red pens away the humor in your writing? First, you listen to the varying opinions, but then you make your own decisions. That's empowering! Your work is your own. Tell your story the way you want to tell it.

Are there spots in your life where if you trusted you had the tools you could make all your dreams come true? What else needs to be nurtured? And, writers, how else can we trust that our work is the very best it can be?