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| My Writing Notebooks |
In fact, the other day as I pulled a book off my shelves, looking for a quote I knew would fit the material I was currently writing, I felt the air in my garret change. I stopped and stood very still. I waited, but for what I didn't know. In the quiet I sensed a voice saying, "Nancy, how will you feel if your book is never published?"
The question is not theoretical, for the publishing business in all its mysterious ways is vague at best and seems designed to shake loose all one's self-doubts. Clearly, however, the question coming from my inner voice, my spiritual radar, is not about the publishing process.
The question is about my call to write. This is not the first time I have been nudged to answer this question, and I recognize I will be asked to answer this question again and again.
"Nancy, is this still what you are suppose to do? How will you feel if your book is not published, if no one ever holds a book with your name on the cover in their hands?"
Ok, voice, I will spend time with you. I put down the book I was holding. I closed my laptop. I set aside pen and paper. I moved into centering prayer, quieting myself, resting in God, allowing paragraphs, sentences, words to float away. I attempted to rest in my own being without expectation of answers. I rested.
Later, when I prepared our evening meal, chopping green beans, washing lettuce, I felt The Voice once again. Yes, not just heard the voice, but felt its presence and this time instead of prodding with questions, I received answers. Affirmations. Direction.
"Nancy, listen carefully and repeat after me:
I write because in the writing I change.
I write because in the writing I uncover whom I was created to be.
I write because through the writing I live and move in the world more authentically.
I write because in the writing I meet God.
I write because the writing, published or not, read or not, creates change in the world.
I write because when I write, I respond in a more healing, whole way to all I meet, even those whose eyes I meet for an unrecognizable moment.
I write because I have to.
Yes, of course, I hope my book will be published eventually, and I promise to do all I can to make that happen and still be true to what I've written, but no matter what, I will write.
An Invitation
This is the most important part of this post, for this post is not just about me. In fact, it isn't really about me at all. It is about you.
What is your inner voice asking you, inviting you to do? What is your inner voice insisting you do? And how are you responding? I would love to know.
I completely identify with the reasons you write. After reading this post, I asked myself the same question. It was a worthwhile exercise, and while I didn't come up with exactly the same reasons, they were remarkably similar!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you tried this exercise for yourself.
ReplyDelete