“Take a load off your feet.
The waves will do their work for you."
--a plaque above the beach in Yachats, Oregon
We put so much attention on what we’re doing or
not doing as writers and creators; we focus hard on our hard work. Truly,
though, the best things in life come to us as if on a tide. This happens when we stand still, exactly where we need to be.
The story goes that in 1922, Robert Frost was
working on the poem, “New Hampshire,” staying up all
night feverishly trying to complete it. He realized it was morning when the sun
streamed in, and he got up to gaze at the sunrise. Suddenly he had a flash of
inspiration for a new poem. What he wrote flowed perfectly, “in just a few
minutes, without strain.” It was to be his most famous work, “Stopping by the
Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
It wasn’t Frost’s conscious labors, but the flow
of restful creativity that brought this beloved poem into the world. In the
same way, you and I need to lay aside our striving, especially at the waning
of the year, and open our hearts to the creative and transformative discoveries
that will ride the tide toward us.
That sign
is dedicated to the memory of “Maurice,” and “Marija,” who are no longer with
us. It actually says, “The waves will do their work without you.” I
decided the waves are indeed working for me—after all, I'm still alive.
A short distance from the bench is the place
where a small, brave, willing group of writers will accept the invitation to
lay down their labors and rest, and be replenished, and let their genius come
to them December 8-10.
This retreat splashes our way with winter solstice writing, yoga, and hiking at a cape mountain from our headquarters at Overleaf Lodge & Spa (site of these photos). I
hope you can join us! (Flash special - half price through Nov 5!)
