Dear Writers,
Let’s start this new year with three quotes from Thick Nhat Hanh:
There is no way to happiness – happiness is the way.
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.
Yesterday, I posted my “ta-da” list–a list of things I am proud I did. It was an interesting exercise–and it felt good to celebrate what went well…and some of the things that didn’t.
Usually, on New Year’s Day, I post goals for the coming year. Usually, these goals are things that require will power. They are things I think will be good for me–or they’re things I don’t really want to do but think I should.
The problem is: usually will power never lasts. I am often distracted. Sometimes, that leads to inspiration. To new ideas. Sometimes, we all get down on ourselves. We measure ourselves against achievements that required LUCK.
So today, instead of posting goals for the future, this one marshmallow girl is going to turn things around. I want to think about the emotions that lead to success: the relationships and bonds that encourage people to cooperate and lend support to one another! I want to look into the future and imagine how I will feel one year from today.
Instead of asking, “What do I want to accomplish,” I want to ask:
What are you grateful for? What are you proud of? How far did you reach and grow and stretch?
Imagine it is Jan 1, 2019. What will be on your next ta-da list?
Here’s mine:
- I put creativity first. Process and play. This gives me satisfaction. And confidence.
- I continued to use social media only as a source of joy and pride ONLY. I found out about books. I cheered on friends. I made new friends. I found links to articles and points of view that expanded my understanding of the world. But when I caught myself using it to feel sorry for myself, I took a break.
- I spent more time reading. The creative life needs FOOD and for me, the best FOOD is STORY.
- I took days off with FAMILY and FRIENDS, my foundation for happiness. I learned and studied and played with other writers–sharing and giving and learning together is pretty much the definition of JOY.
- I reached out to others that needed me. I think it is easy to say, “Be kind.” It is harder to create an inclusive sanctuary where EVERYONE feels honored and safe. BUT I AM GOING TO TRY AND DO IT.
- I voted. Everyone voted. Voting became the coolest thing you could do. Objectivity also made a comeback. Truth and justice and fairness brought us together. If we have to resist, we resist together. Standing up for what we believe in–making our voices heard–is always important. In this way, I want to be part of an active community. I want to avoid discouragement and instead, DO SOMETHING. Feeling included feels good.
- I tried new things. I also walked more. And kayaked more. And started a boxing class. I paid attention to the world.
- As Roxane Gay said, I continued to bloom. (I pinned that column on my bulletin board.)
- I stopped feeling guilty about treats and other things I enjoy.
- I posted 52 Monday Motivations. And 52 Tips on Tuesday.
Dear Writers,
Reaching out to you and helping in any way possible is the one contribution I can make without hesitation. There are very few absolutes in the world. But one of them is that if we all help each other, we will all grow. We will all find our stories. 2017 was a rough year. But when we made gratitude and compassion and happiness our main goals for 2018, we were able to put our priorities first.
Every Monday morning in my newsletter, you allow me to share a bit of myself, grow and change. I hope it makes your storytelling easier and more enjoyable. Every week, I strive to be honest–to reveal my ups and downs so that none of us feel alone.
Thank you for sharing this space with me.
Are you ready to stretch???
Today, start a new journal. Get yourself a brand new notebook or a vision board. Or better yet, let’s take today off. Give your loved ones a hug. None of us would be writing if we didn’t have support.
xo s