The Blessings of Letting Go to Change

The long nights that lead to the longest night of the year stir deep thoughts. When major life changes enter the mix, potent inquiry arises. Emotional questions wiggle their way from the depths, stare us in the face and demand answers. Who are you? Who were you? Who do you intend to be?

Who ARE you?

I made the decision a year ago to move beyond my career as a travel writer to focus entirely on my business as a writing coach. It was time to let go. I had accomplished what was most important to me and was eager to grow in a new area.

Embracing that decision--and letting go of every aspect of travel writing that I had let define me--took many months. I had made a rational decision that my ego just wasn't ready to accept. After all, I had worn the travel writer moniker for more than 20 years.  Friends and neighbors started conversations with "where are you traveling next?" Most of my professional colleagues and many of my friends hung out in the travel writing world.

Who was I if I no longer was one of them?

My ego kept urging me to let it keep at least a little piece of my travel writing identity. But I knew that as long as I did that, I would not be focusing on what my heart has been calling me to do--helping others tell their powerful stories.

The symbolic finale to my travel writing career was my resignation from the esteemed professional organization, SATW, effective January 1, 2013.

This act frees me to focus on what I intend to be, how that looks, and how it feels. I'm enjoying the freshness of creating this exciting role in life without being tethered to previous personas.

Even so, I find solace in Shatki Gawain's perspective on what happens when something that defines our sense of self ends.

When we're very identified with something and it is taken away, then we have an opportunity to open up to whatever other parts of ourselves want to come forth. We all have parts of ourselves yet to be expressed, and it's very important to the world, and to other people, that we bring out these parts or aspects. Doing so has a healing, balancing impact in the world.
~ Science of Mind magazine, December 2012, p. 86

 And so with open heart I look toward revealing and sharing those parts of myself yet to be expressed!

Appreciate Stillness in the Season of Light

To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. ~Lao-tzu

The glorious Season of Light is a beautiful time to relax and be still, even if only a few minutes here and there, breathe deeply and simply be. 

Year-end festivities, traditions, travel and gatherings bring joy. They can also lead to overwhelm and exhaustion—but only if you give your power to them.

If you start feeling caught up in a whirlwind, try these ways to use stillness to help restore and revive yourself:

1. Before starting an activity, whether attending a concert or catching an airplane, take a few moments to be still, breathe deeply and set your intention. For example, envision your on-time arrival at the airport, smooth connections and a comfortable flight.
 
2. In the flurry of shopping, find a place to sit down. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths and let the energy of shoppers swirl around you. Single out smells and sounds that delight you. Let yourself bask in them.
 
3. When you are preparing a festive meal, writing holiday greetings or wrapping gifts, give yourself a few short breaks.  Close your eyes, take some deep breaths and anticipate the joy that your meal, greetings and gifts will give those who receive them.

Keep savoring moments to be still. Let the peace and beauty of the Season of Light infuse you.  And appreciate the magic that happens when, as Lao-tzu said, “the whole universe surrenders.”

14:14 Gratitude Challenge Highlights

On this glorious Thanksgiving Day, I opened my gratitude journal and read through the 14+ gratitudes I listed on each of the previous 14 days — more than 196 of them!

My reactions ranged from giggles to eyes welling with tears of deep appreciation to my heart swelling with love and joy. The things I listed tended to group around a few themes, which I'll share in a moment.

But first, I've got to share a couple that made me giggle. They seem like such silly little things, yet they are packed with appreciation:

"Feeling beautiful and special every time my phone whistles at me." When a text message arrives, I'm notified by a "Hey, good looking!" whistle. I had no idea when I chose the sound how much it would brighten my day.

"Styling with our new hubcaps." For months, we had been driving around with one hub cap missing. Although it made it easier to spot our gray car in a parking lot, it made our car look sad and neglected, like "a girl with a hole in her stocking." When David put on a new set of hubcaps, our car suddenly looked bright and perky, qualities that rubbed off on me when I rode in it.

"My warm, comfy pink slippers." I'm amazed at how much joy and well-being a pair of $10 slippers has given me. The slippers showed up on at least four lists.

The main themes I noticed were:

• My husband David's love, creativity, resourcefulness, handyman skills, steadfast support of my professional goals, and partnership on an amazing life journey.

• My dear, fun, loving, supportive sisters and friends. Our phone conversations always show up on my gratitude lists. 

• The joy and fulfillment I feel while helping my clients express their creativity, talents and unique message.

• Nature in all its amazing expressions — Wild horses. Clouds shaped like long, tapered cigars. The sound of sleet hitting the motorhome roof. Glistening, snow-capped peaks. Bright red sunrises.

• Quality of life amenities — Friendliness and kind gestures of strangers. Delicious, home-cooked meals. Heat on a cold night. Hot, soothing showers. 

And there's so much more. Each blessing, no matter how "big" or "small" is as significant as the other.  Each one enriches my life.

Embrace the Power of Gratitude

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart,

 it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Whether we consider our hearts, our significance or our prosperity to be big or small, we all have a limitless capacity to express gratitude for the good in our lives.

The act of saying thank you is infused with power. When we say thanks, we shift our perspective, replacing feelings of lack with appreciation for what we have. That subtle shift can turn worry into peace of mind, confusion into clarity, frustration into resolve.

And gratitude attracts even more good into our lives!

"When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."

— Lao Tzu

I've been keeping a gratitude journal for several years now. It helps keep my thoughts and feelings focused on the good, the positive and the possible. Admittedly, when life events make me feel helpless or hopeless, it can be a challenge to pick up my pen. But that is when I most need to shift my perspective. That is when the momentum I've created with a daily gratitude practice helps me take conscious action and write what I am thankful for despite conditions and circumstances. 

At this time of year, the American holiday of Thanksgiving magnetizes my awareness of the rich blessings in my life. In honor of this special season, I created my fun and meaningful 14:14 Gratitude Challenge. You're welcome to take on this challenge too. Here's how it goes:

• During the two weeks (14 days) leading up to Thanksgiving, list at least 14 things every day that you are grateful for. (If you missed the first days, just start where you are and write down 14 blessings every day.)
• By Thanksgiving, you will have 14 x 14 gratitudes. That's a total of 196!
• On Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 2012), acknowledge and celebrate the good in your life by reading each of those gratitudes out loud.
• Reflect on the two weeks since you began the 14:14 Gratitude Challenge. What shifts have you noticed in how you think and feel? What unexpected gifts and opportunities have shown up?

I love both the daily process of the 14:14 Gratitude Challenge and the finale's celebration. Most of all, I'm delightfully curious about what my review of those 196 thank you's will reveal to me!

Check back after Thanksgiving and I'll fill you in!

Writing from Source Book: Is This Process For Me?

Here's a short chapter to help readers feel comfortable with their choice to read about the Writing from Source™ process and learn how to use it. 

How do you react when you read this? What works for you? What doesn't and why? I truly appreciate your candid comments. Thanks!

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Have you always known on some deep level that the answers you seek are inside you? Have you sensed that you actually know which path to take, which way to turn, or which option to choose next?

Yet you hesitate to listen to this inner knowing?

Don’t be surprised that you distrust yourself. We’ve all been conditioned to look outside ourselves for the answers. From the time we were infants, we have looked to our families, peer groups, society, religions, academia, and government to show us what to think, feel, and do.  

Even so, many people sense that an essence resides inside them that has the guidance, insights and solutions they seek. Writing from Source™ is a simple process to tap into that information.  

Are you one of those people? If you identify with any of the following statements, you probably are. 

•  I’m aware of my gut instinct or intuition, even though I don’t always heed it.
•  I use words like "my inner guide," "inner wisdom," or "the spiritual essence inside me."
•  I like to explore different means of personal growth and development.
•  I am open to trying new methods and ideas to see whether they can be beneficial to me.
•  I am on a path of spiritual expansion.
•  I want to build trust in myself.

If one of these descriptions fits you, read on. You have chosen this book for a reason that will eventually reveal itself to you.

In the following pages, this book describes each of the Writing from Source steps and gives actual examples of participant responses.

It also shows you an insider’s view of the process through descriptions of participants’ real-life experiences with Writing from Source. In their own words, they tell you how they have used the process to make critical decisions, gain much-needed clarity and insights, and guide them through troubling situations.

When you are ready to experience Writing from Source firsthand, pull out the audio CD that came with this book. Sit back with an open mind and open heart, relax, listen and respond as the audio CD guides you step by step through the process. 

Let the guidance you seek flow freely through your pen onto paper—even the unexpected!

Book Writing Journey: What Is My Support System?

Throughout my 25-year writing career, I have sought and benefited from a variety of support. My first writing assignment was with a huge national magazine, Bride’s.  Every nerve in my body tingled with excitement—and with fear that I would make a mess of it. How embarrassing it would be if they rejected my manuscript!

Lucky for me, I had a stellar mentor, an author and writer who had been writing long before I was an infant—my mother, Shirley E. Pollock. Adding to this blessing, a scheduled trip to visit my parents coincided with the time frame I had to finish the article. At the end of each day, my mother would listen to me read what I had written and offer her feedback.   

She kept saying, "I don’t know why you don’t trust your writing skill." I didn’t know either. But I do know that having the support of her professional expertise and loving heart got me through that first assignment.

Since then I’ve belonged to writer’s support groups and writer’s critique groups. I’ve attended many writers’ conferences, taken lots of writing classes and enjoyed the camaraderie of professional writing organizations. I have also hired writing coaches and counted on accomplished writers to edit my books. Each type of support has served a unique, important purpose.

At this preliminary stage of this book writing journey, my support system consists of:

• Accountability partner. A dear friend, published author and writing coach is my judgment-free sounding board with whom I regularly check in with my progress and share my ideas. Her creative ideas and responses to my check-ins inspire me to expand my view on the contents of this book.

• Book Writing Journey group. I created this private Facebook group with a two-fold purpose: 1) inspire others by sharing  what I know and what I’m learning while writing this book, and 2) stretch my courage muscles by being vulnerable and transparent as I expose my writing process and my writing in its pre-published stages.

• Participants in the Writing from Source teleseminars. I’ve invited Writing from Source participants to enrich the book with their aha’s, insights and other personal experiences with Writing from Source. They have been key players in the evolution of Writing from Source and in my decision to move forward with this book. Their support and the information they choose to share with me will play an important role in fashioning the book content.

• Sisters and close friends. I’m blessed with loving sisters and friends who take sincere interest in my writing endeavors and life journey. They are always there to lend a compassionate ear, cheer me on and give hearty congratulations.

• The Power Within Me. Throughout my book writing journey, I am regularly doing personal Writing from Source sessions to connect with the power inside me for guidance, insights and direction with the book. I also connect with Source through mediation and spiritual practices.

This core support system will stay with me throughout my book writing journey. As the writing process unfolds and other needs arise, I know other types of support will expand the list.

 

Book Writing Journey: What Resources Do I Need Right Now?

The writing resources I need vary with each writing session. Right now, I’m in my “tapping into ideas” stage, the precursor to writing my book’s first draft.

For this stage, I am doing stream of consciousness writing so that my creativity can express itself freely. The sessions are playful, with no rules or structure (except for honoring the length of my writing appointment, which I set with the Writer’s Compass Point WHEN).

Before each of these writing sessions, I take a few minutes to get still and let my creative genius tell me what resources I will need to be able to write without interruption. The tools and equipment I pull together on any given day may include some or all of the following:

• Colored markers
• Large sheets of paper
• Notebook
• Gel pens
• Computer
• Inspiring background music 

When I complete this "tapping into ideas" stage and start the first draft, my needs will shift, and I’ll share with you the tools and equipment I choose for that stage of my book writing journey.

What resources are you currently using on your book writing journey?

Book Writing Journey: HOW am I going to do my writing?

Phew! I'm so relieved that my writing plan—the HOW of my book writing journey—is an organic document. The information in it is meant to grow and change over time. That means I don’t have to go brain dead at the start trying to make sure I include everything that needs to be in it. Even so, the better I think things through now, the easier the journey will be.

I have identified the major components/topics of my book, the major stages of my book writing journey, the interim target dates for the components and stages, and the completion date.

Key Stages of My Book Writing Journey 

1. Research:

• Review Writing from Source teleseminar notes for information to include in book.
• Interview Writing from Source participants for examples of their experiences with the process to include in the book.
• Research current books in this genre for format ideas and publication options.
• Title ideas (review best-selling titles in this genre, conduct survey of options, request feedback/ideas from reviewers, etc.)

2. Creative Fuel

• Do the Writing from Source process before each writing session for content guidance.
• Meditate
• Visualize the book and how it flows out into the world

3. Write the first draft

4. Revise and edit the manuscript

5. Send manuscript to trusted friends and writing colleagues for their review

6. Complete publication-ready manuscript (include selected recommendations from reviewers; do final revision, edits and “spit and polish”)

Key Topics of My Book

The following topics may be individual chapters or interwoven with other topics in a chapter. For example, the real-life experiences will be part of the chapter that describes the Writing from Source process. Additional topics will undoubtedly surface as I write. I’ll make those decisions during the writing process.

• What Writing from Source is
• How Writing from Source came about
• Description of the Writing from Source process
• Real-life experiences with the Writing from Source process
• How to use Writing from Source to enrich your life

My Key Book Writing Target Dates:

• October 22, 2012 (my mother’s birthday): Complete the first draft. (This includes all the key topics of the book.)

• November 22, 2012 (Thanksgiving): Complete the revised draft and give it to trusted friends and writing colleagues for review.

• January 23, 2013 (my birthday – a big one!) Complete the manuscript in publication-ready form.

As you can see, I have the essential items of my writing plan in place, but it is not a complete document. Once I’m in full action mode, the plan will constantly morph. For me, the surprises of new ideas and angles popping up make the writing process fun and delightful.

How does my initial writing plan look to you? Have I missed anything? What would you do differently with your writing plan?

Book Writing Journey: Why Am I Writing This Book?

The apparent WHY for writing my book about Writing from Source is to share this insightful, enlightening process with significantly more people.

The Writing from Source process is a gift that life gave me about two years ago. It first materialized as three statements I crafted to use in a workshop. Six months later, I used the statements as the writing prompt for a free teleseminar series on surviving the holiday season.

Encouraged by positive feedback, I started offering free, monthly teleseminars using the three statements. Participants’ ongoing comments about the invaluable insights and guidance they received prompted me to continue. These sessions are now in their 19th month.

Several participants have repeatedly told me that I need to get Writing from Source out there in a bigger way. I finally listened, and the idea to write a book took form.

Until now, I held back from talking about Writing from Source except to those who I thought would "understand" because I was concerned that people would find it too spiritual, metaphysical, "woo-woo," "out there," or "touchy-feely." More to the point, I hesitated because I was concerned about what people would think of me. I was afraid of showing my truth.

And, admittedly, I still am. Hence, the deeper reason—the compelling WHY—for writing this book.

Writing a book about Writing from Source and openly sharing my writing journey provide the means for me to step boldly, courageously and transparently into my calling, which is to serve as a catalyst for others to discover the power that resides within them, believe in it, listen intently to what it tells them, and wholeheartedly trust it to guide them.

When I encounter hurdles during the writing process, this is the compelling WHY I will rely on to propel me forward on my book writing journey!

Book Writing Journey: Where Will I Write?

As a fulltime RVer, I live in a 32-foot motorhome. While it has everything we need to live comfortably and enjoy life on the road, it does have space constraints that require flexibility.

Unlike my former brick and mortar home in Denver, I don’t have a spacious home office with an ergonomic chair, large desk or overstuffed easy chair for brainstorming and journaling. But I do have a dinette table, an ergonomic keyboard, and a cushion to raise the dinette seat to an optimal eye-level for looking at the computer.

I also have a huge music library on the computer, decent lighting, and a dear husband who takes our dog on long walks when I need to be alone with my writing. Right now, I also have lovely natural scenery of berry-laden junipers, desert shrubs and towering red stone ridges outside my windows.

I’m happy with this writing setting. And good thing! In this remote location, I don’t have any nearby options. No library, coffee shop or park bench to escape to. A few months from now when we travel to another location, I may have options.  

For now, my WHERE is sitting at the dinette table in my motorhome with inspiring music in the background, uplifting scenery out my window, and a cushion and ergonomic keyboard to support my physical well-being.

Given  the circumstances, I give my WHERE a rating of 8.

Book Writing Journey: When Will I Write My Book?

Setting aside time for writing my book, or for that matter any other special project, poses its challenges. Like most everyone, I have lots of fun ways I like to spend my time plus many commitments and obligations.

Right now, I divide my time among:

• interacting with my coaching clients
• writing for publication
• working at a resort and RV park in exchange for our RV site
• walks and other physical exercise
• meditation and spiritual practices
• reading, watching DVD movies
• cooking, laundry, and keeping our home clean, uncluttered and comfortable
• personal time for journaling, professional development and spiritual growth
• outings to explore the area around us on hikes and scenic back road outings
• treasured time with my husband, dog and friends.

That’s a lot even without including important time-users such as sleep and personal grooming!

So WHEN will I write my book? The most important thing to me is that my time commitment be one that steadily moves my book writing journey forward with ease and grace—AND one I can and will honor.

Based on my current life and work style while we're in southern Utah, my WHEN is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for an hour from 4 to 5 pm. That’s a commitment of three focused book writing hours a week. I may continue writing beyond the appointed hour. I may even find open time on other days to do additional book writing.

That certainly would be a plus. But the critical factor is to hold to my commitment to write three hours a week, preferably on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 5 pm—times that are available and have the lowest likelihood of interruptions and distractions. If circumstances arise that interfere with my current WHEN, my schedule still offers flexibility to squeeze in the writing on a different day or at a different time.

My next step? Schedule those book writing times as firm appointments in my calendar and honor them!

Book Writing Journey: What Is My Book About?

This is the theme statement for my book in progress, whose working title is Writing from Source:

Writing from Source describes a simple 3-step writing process that connects you with the power inside you to gain insight, guidance and solutions for a specific issue or concern.

My theme statement describes the central focus (a simple 3-step writing process) and the benefits people can gain by reading the book (a method to gain insights, guidance and solutions for a specific issue or concern). Its purpose is to guide me as I write the book and as the basis for telling others about the book. Total number of words: 29.

Book Writing Journey: Who Is My Readership?

Years as a professional writer have taught me that the best way for a writer to connect with her readers is to know who is drawn to the topic. And, more specifically, to know who cares enough about the subject to spend time and energy reading what the book offers. Otherwise, I’m writing for one reader and one reader only— me!

Identifying my readership is always a challenging step. Admittedly, I’d like to take the easy way out and say, "This book is for everyone!" or "The ones who are meant to read this will find it." But that would be like throwing a hissy fit and telling my life calling I didn’t want to play unless I could do it my way.

The importance of identifying my ideal readers doesn’t just happen when the book is finished. It happens before the first word gets written! I need to know my ideal readers so that my writing speaks directly to them. And I need to know who they are so my decisions about what language, tone and style to use and what content to include are based on what resonates with them.

So I will do this essential step before I start writing and follow the techniques that I know work.

Fortunately, I have a great resource to guide me in identifying the ideal readership for this book—the monthly Writing from Source teleseminars I have held for nearly two years.

Here’s how I’ll go about identifying my ideal readers:

1. I’ll brainstorm about the qualities, values, needs and challenges of the participants in the Writing from Source teleseminars.
2. From that information, I’ll identify a real-life person who most closely represents those qualities and characteristics. If I don’t manage to identify one person, I’ll create a  "persona" who embodies them.
3. Once I am able to visualize that specific person or composite persona , I will claim him or her as my ideal reader.

To capture the ideas that percolate during brainstorming, I decided to sketch a mind map. The results are shown here:

Mind Map to identify the ideal reader for my Writing from Source book

My ideal readers are open and heart-centered, feel connected to something greater than themselves, and are seekers, especially of their purpose or calling in life. Within each of these attributes, I’ve identified additional values and qualities.

As I look at the characteristics on the mind map and the participants who come to the Writing from Source teleseminars, I see that my ideal reader is:

• 50+ years of age
• Female
• Involved in a role that enriches personal growth and well-being
• Believes in a higher power
• Knows that she has a purpose (calling) that she is meant to fulfill

I can see this ideal reader in my mind's eye. I can even call her by name. This is the reader I will visualize and chat with as I write my book about Writing from Source.