I admit that sometimes writer’s block gets in the way of these blogs. When I am not really paying attention to the process, the kernel of an idea comes along and then my monkey-mind gets busy and I start to hear chattering that closes down the keyboard. Does this ever happen to you? For me, it doesn’t just happen with just writing – it creeps up on me with other commitments too: public speaking engagements, exercise, holiday plans, meetings, outings…
What’s going on here?
This morning I flipped back through my journal to find the topic for this blog. I usually can find a theme in my writing that authentically leads me to write about something relevant in my world that I have been curious about and exploring. Today, the topics were all over the map; it was interesting to me to note that my daily entries were like ping-pong balls, lobbing back and forth in opinion and conviction. Wow; what to do with this?
What do I notice; what are these journal entries saying to me?
Be still. (Those were the words that popped into my consciousness when the question formulated.) Just be still and take a deep breath.
Now we are back on familiar ground! Aha; in the intent of finding a blog-post theme, I missed the point of just noticing what is here already. I didn’t need to create anything new – what was significant in the moment was already present for me.
The mental gymnastics I put myself through in those few minutes, trying to make sense of my week seems humourous now. As I sit here, I can acknowledge that what transpired was simply a string of days with a variety of influences. I have been actively engaged this week contacting several new entrepreneurial groups, making community connections and conducting personal interviews with half-a-dozen coaches I admire. Of course there was deliberation, oscillation and bantering as I rolled around all these new ideas and influences!
What to do with it? Not a darn thing, but give myself permission to just BE. Again, I can self-soothe my ego, settle into not knowing what all of this will bring in time and consciously note that I am still moving forward with my work in the world. Noticing IS action, and there is bold confidence in modeling a leadership style that has room for deliberate contemplation – as messy and scattered as it appears – and making room for discovery.
What is catching your attention this week and what action (if any) does it require?