In This Moment

This afternoon I hosted a Scratching on Paper writing workshop at my house. It was an intimate gathering of nine people, plus myself, nestled in my living room in front of the fireplace. Today was one of those spring days, just cool enough for a fire, daffodils in full bloom be damned.

I tell people; all you need is a notebook and pen, no experience necessary. So, everyone arrived with notebooks and pens. And a willingness to *lay aside their occupations and preoccupations and listen with attention and care to the voices speaking in their own center. And we did just that. The new writing that was birthed by the group was a wild mix of funny, tender, strong, heartbreaking; all of it humming with life.

Of course there's always one apron wringer in the group who says they don't know how to write and then blows us all away when they read to us. Writing with others creates a connection between people that's way different from say, your run of the mill cocktail party. It's a mystery that I never tire of. And though I have no scientific proof, I'm certain this kind of gathering raises the vibrational frequency of the planet. So, here's a shout-out to John, Susan, Sharon, Ann, Michele, Sarah, Gail, Gillian, & Scotty!

After a few simple introductions around the circle, we jumped in with this writing prompt: In this moment...

In this moment I feel completely happy that this small group of people decided that three hours on a Saturday afternoon spent writing in my home was a worthy thing for them to do. I know that this happiness is directly connected to the little card beside my bedside lamp that says, do what you love.

All my gnashing of teeth about trying to fit into some kind of conventional way of working in this world is finally waning. Is it any wonder that the muscles in my shoulders and back have pained me for so long? - I've been foolishly pushing the proverbial boulder up the mountain and getting pummeled by it every time. I think I'm finally ready to leave the boulder to its own life, at the bottom of the mountain, and start walking up with my hands free, hanging by my side.

Can I get an amen?

* Read "Disarm Yourself"