fear of the page

I view blogging as a practice. Kind of like meditation.

Blogging involves a discipline. It helps me show up. It is a conduit to my creative self – which goes way beyond writing.

It’s just the very tip of that self that blogging accesses. Blogging sort of sits at the outer entrance to my creative self, but it helps keep the door open.

It keeps fear of the page at bay.

I noticed in my drawing class the formidable fear of the page that pretty much everyone in the room experienced.

The teacher told us what to do and started a timer. We all just sat there and stared.

We eventually learned that the point of the timer was to force us past that fear of the page – to make us jump fearlessly onto it.

I experience this with creative projects of my own inspiration as well. I get a vision. I get excited. I can’t wait to bring it to fruition.

But then I notice that I am resisting it. I don’t have time to work on it. I don’t have the perfect supplies. I’m not, you know, in the right mood for that. I can’t find my scissors. I don’t know how.

Ha. That is one thing blogging teaches you. Mood, time, supplies, coffee, whatever, the point is to do it. Recognize the resistance and tackle it front on. Just make yourself go, dammit.

The longer you practice, you eventually learn that the creative self does inevitably show up when thus called forth – albeit some days better than others.

Even better, such a practice helps you to become more aware of the existence of that creative self and its awesome depths – as well as your capacity to access it and allow it.

And the more of that self that shows up, the better.

So, for today, just practicing. 🙂

Sunshine Blogger Award

Glen, over on his delightful blog, justabitfurther, totally took me by surprise. He nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I am honored.

I love Glen’s blog where he and Lynn and their dog Katie are all about the journey, especially where the wonderful outdoors is concerned. Awesome photos and Glen’s thoughtful words take me on hikes, canoe or kayak outings, and other adventures, both transporting and inspiring me to more of my own adventures in this wonderful world of ours. Please stop in at justabitfurther and have a look-see!

I am grateful to Glen for his wonderful blog, and for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award.

I am especially happy for this nomination because it makes me feel even more a real part of the blogging community. The award is given by bloggers to other bloggers who inspire creativity and positivity in that community. It is all about connection, helping bloggers and readers to discover new blogs or new-to-them blogs. Of course, that means sharing some of those blogs that you love.

The rules for the Sunshine Blogger Award include:

• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog so others can find them.
• Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
• Notify the nominees about it by commenting on one of their blog posts.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post and/or your blog site.

Now, as for those pesky questions presented by Glen, I admit I find this just a tad intimidating. Deep breath, here we go:

1.  Why did you get into or what motivated you to start blogging?  It’s a mysterious thing, isn’t it? I am a writer. It’s hard not to write. Writing for others to read keeps me awake/mindful, observant, in practice. And it’s fun. Well, mostly.
2.  What’s your favourite comfort food? Probably a slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and dill pickle slices.
3.  Is there a quote or saying you don’t like? Hmm. One phrase that comes to mind,  “Give back.” Don’t be upset by that.  It’s just that I believe it is natural for us to want to give. It helps us to be whole. It is not a matter of owing, it is more a matter of being our whole selves. Don’t “give back,” just “give” your own unique, beautiful gifts.
4.  What would your ideal day be like? I suspect it would involve hiking, perhaps in the mountains, with a trusted other.
5.  What do you love most about blogging? Inspiration and community.
6.  What is something that made you smile today? My awesome best friend, who happens to be a cat and who never fails to make me know I am loved.
7.  What is one piece of advice you give other bloggers? I don’t actually presume to give advice to other bloggers, except, I suppose, go for it! I learn much from other bloggers, and I am grateful for it.
8.  Favourite flavour of ice cream? Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Caramel Fudge – it’s vegan and it’s awesome. Woohoo!!
9.  Do your family or friends know about your blog and what do they think of it?Actually, there are only two people of my personal acquaintance who know I blog. They are long-time friends of mine and always supportive!
10.  What advice would you give to YOUR ten-year-old self? You are amazing, and you are loved. Always know that. Be who you are.
11.  If you could be any superhero, what power would you have and why? I don’t actually know all that much about superheroes, but flying seems like a pretty cool power to have. Yeah, I would totally fly. I would love to see more of the universe, and to feel the freedom of flight.

Whew, now that I’ve covered that territory, I would like share the names of a few blogs that are special to me, in no particular order. These are just a few of the blogs from which I derive much inspiration, pleasure, and insight. I hope you will pay them a visit:

You Are Love Now:  I love this little burst of love in my life. Not sure how it happens (or maybe I am), but every day, I find a lovely, thoughtful, encouraging poem from Sandy.

Carry Loves Cats: Honest to Pete, every time I read this blog, I wind up smiling and usually laughing out loud. Love the cat connection here, and the wonderful voice in this blog.

Nourishing Amy: Vegans, would-be-vegans, folks just scratching their heads about veganism, check it out! Particularly right now, when she’s mindfully writing very supportive posts for folks dipping into it for Veganuary.

cat fink KnowTrustChooseCreate: Reading Cat Fink’s blog is like diving into a spectacular confection, complete with rich flavor and icing and visual appeal and hidden nuggets. I relish her language, her inspiration, and the deep heartstrings she touches.

A Miracle Workbook: I am always delighted by the posts I find here. They are great inspiration and encouragement to walk my path, to be compassionate towards myself and others, and more.

Running Truths: I am inspired Every.Single.Time. I read a post here. She helps me stay on my own running game, although she’s way ahead of me on the course.

Blue Mood Café: I’ve mentioned the café before. This blog inspired my 2019 book expedition, on which I am off and running.

Inspirational Poems: Love Trina’s outlook on life, and I also really like how she presents her poems, some backstory, and the creative picture of the poem. Lots of inspiration here.

jenjoycedesign:  I do not even know how to knit, but I love this delicious blog steeped in fibers and the beauty of nature. When this blog pops up in my reader, I just feel a mental “Ah!”

James – Not looking back: Love this guy’s positive outlook on life, his fresh voice, and the things he finds with which to inspire me.

Devon Maid: This is another amazing runner who always inspires me, and shares great insights.

According to the rules, here I propose 11 questions for my nominated bloggers:

1. What’s your last book read, and your opinion on it in less than 15 words.
2. What’s your all-time favorite book?
3. What is a work of art that touched your heart or that you just really like?
4. Where’s your favorite place to be outdoors? Beach, mountains, forest, meadows, etc.?
5. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
6. Has blogging changed you? If so, how?
7. What’s your favorite thing to do just for fun?
8. What’s your favorite vegetable?
9. What has been the biggest adventure of your life so far? The short version. 🙂
10. Do you have a favorite animal, spirit animal, or animal best friend? If so, please briefly describe.
11. Name a word that delights you for how it sounds, what it means, or what its etymology is.

Thank you so much, to Glen and all the wonderful bloggers out there that enrich my life every day!

❤️ for creative community

Friends, I wish you a Happy New Year! I would also like to express my gratitude to you for reading my blog, liking, following, for your comments, and for being my creative community.

I am grateful every day for the WordPress community. When I decided some months back to make blogging a regular sort of practice, I did not realize all that I would find. A few of the things I have discovered:

Inspiration: I am inspired by so many others here. I appreciate the glimpses I receive into other folks’ thoughts and experiences all around the world. I love the fearlessness and the honesty with which so many of you write, and on very meaningful topics. You open doors in my mind and my heart that hold many possibilities. You so often inspire me with your determination and courage, too.

Connection: I love the sense of creative connection I feel in this online community of writers and thinkers and doers and adventurers and life explorers. I appreciate the wonderful diversity of minds and experience here, and I love that I can be part of the gang. When you like one of my posts or comment, I recognize that happy moment of connecting.

Laughter: I cannot tell you how many times my fellow bloggers have made me laugh or smile with their stories or photos. That always makes for a better day.

Encouragement: I am truly encouraged by your likes and follows and comments, but I am even more encouraged by your examples. I see so many of my blogging companions actively committed to their paths, and exploring life in their unique ways, and it emboldens me on my own journey.

Insight: Not a day goes by that I don’t read something that helps me somehow or broadens my understanding. Perusing my WP Reader is a moment to which I look forward. It’s always an enriching experience.

Discipline: My own blogging is a practice. I am learning many things from it. Part of the purpose is discipline. It makes me look at things differently. It makes me think with purpose, explore ideas, be more observant, stop and take a photo. Knowing that someone out there will read what I put together infuses the practice with meaning and intent.

So, so much for which to be grateful!  Thank you, dear readers and friends! I wish you Wonder, Love, and Joy in 2019!