Are You Doing the Work?
Or Are You Concerned with Being in Control?
"Just do your work. And if the world needs your work
it will come and get
you. And if it doesn't, do your work anyway.
You can have fantasies about having control over the world,
but I know I can barely control my
kitchen sink. That is the
grace I'm given. Because when one can
control things, one is
limited to one's own vision." --Kiki Smith
Sometimes I struggle with what shows up in my daily writing. I've voiced the thought, "Shouldn't I be working on the novel, instead of this drivel?"
Against my own will, it seems, I've been forming the bones of more poems. And feeling like I was writing the wrong stuff. Then, a few weeks ago, I was invited to perform a poem for a formal dinner event. They wanted a poet! Not a novelist, not a short story writer, not an inspirational author--not any of the other roles I thought I should've been playing at the time. I said yes, because deep down I knew I was in the right place.
Doing the work is easy. Trying to be in control is frustrating. I get caught up in expectations and shoulds, unsatisfied with what I'm making, what my pen is creating, and what my life is doing.
"No, no, no, you've got it all wrong," I tell that creative part of me. I don't have control of my creator instinct, but I forget this. "You're making a mistake here," I tell God and/or Her cohorts about what is happening in my world. I spend way too much energy griping and wishing and dissatisfied, when all I have to do is do the work that shows up when I open my heart and my life, and release my hand onto the page.
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Another Read Through I'd love to have you join me this Thursday for a lovely evening of poetry. Honored to be a featured poet along with Dan Raphael and Neil Aitken. Thursday, June 30, 7-8 pm, Another Read Through Bookstore, 3932 N Mississippi Ave, Portland.
How can movement help you write? Find out! Yoga for Creativity class
at Clark College starts July 12! I'm excited about Clark supporting me in this innovative adventure, and I could really use your support, too.* It's more a movement class than a yoga class, and more a writing class than a movement class, with benefits for your body and soul. I promise it will add a life-changing element into your creative life. I would love for you to check it out for a single visit, and if it doesn't work for you, no problem!
Every other Tuesday at the Columbia Tech Center,11:30 a.m. to 1 pm. 7/12, 7/26, 8/9, 8/23.
*Tell some folks about it!
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Burn Wild is the new private journaling and inspirational class that speaks to your life as well as your story-making. Thursday, July 21, 7-9 pm at the Touchmark, 2911 SE Village Loop, Vancouver. Cost is $40, with $10 off for registration by July 12. This workshop is an incredibly authentic, heart-bonding experience for those of you who want to try a wholistic, journaling approach in a supportive community.
Wildfire Master class, p.m., (private) runs roughly every other Wednesday at 6:30 pm and has potential openings. Let's talk if you think you might be a good fit.
Wildfire Master class, a.m. (private)
runs every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. This class is about five years old now, with wonderful synergy that changes with the seasons. It rarely has openings, but does now, because of summer schedules. Talk to me if you are interested.
More stuff on the website.
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Photo: Savoring Excellence Dinner at Royal Oaks, May 2016. Photo credit, Grant Mott
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