photo taken on train in southern Ontario...
I don't mean inspiration for stories though I suppose that could be true. I mean when it is mean February and it is complicated to move about and your spirit is hanging very close to your spine not radiating out two feet from your body as it should. And you know you have lots to do but you'd rather pull the quilt over your head or read your P.D. James with a big bowl of popcorn with Parmesan on it or drift through old love letters wondering. How do you dig down deep into that reserve of discipline, of motivation, of - dare I say it - pitter patter let's fly atter?
Today I have a busy day - clients, meetings, a get together with the friend who is going to do a close edit of True, lunch with my eldest and all followed by a meeting with fellow folk who write for the government. So, a bit of every part of my life. Oh and I have chores - late library books, banking and so on. So where in that should I be inspired?
I am taking a book of favourite poems with me that's what. Today I'm going to take Mary Oliver or Michael Ondaatje (hey, my two favourite poets have the initials MO!) and I'm going to read poetry when I have a few minutes between meetings. This will put me into the rhythm of the written word. It won't be too demanding because sometimes we just need to coax and magnetize NOT bludgeon our inspiration into being. You know that I am a great believer in the 'carrot and the stick' approach. Quite often we believe that the stick is the only tool to use. But sometimes we need to listen to that scared, cold, lonely kid inside and use the carrot or even a bit of chocolate.
True dat.
7 comments:
Jan - That's such a good question! We all have to find things to keep us going on those days when we have every instinct to just stop. I'm honestly in favour of stepping back sometimes and just going with a little "down time." I don't do that as often as I should, but it can be really restorative.
i love, love, love the way you put this ..."when your spirit is hanging very close to your spine". Keep feeding yourself titbits of m.o poetry, (and popcorn and pd james too if you feel like it!)
Seems to me like you have some poems bubbling inside you...be gentle with yourself, take care , niamh x
I had one of those days yesterday. I got into bed, switched off the phone, pulled up the cover, and went to sleep. Was slightly better when I was done.
We all need downtime.
I might still be having one of those days. It amazes me that I sit and talk to clients about honouring their grief and process and then think I am somehow not in need of such information! I'm going to have a slow weekend. Just got the last season of Dr. Who to watch. I don't think I'll even do dishes...
You definitely have the right attitude.
If I'm writing and feeling uninspired, I read an author I love and respect. That's usually a motivator for me.
It's hard. I've been so sleep deprived lately, I've had a hard time making writing time. BUT, with all the baby feedings going on at my house, I have lots of time for rumination (especially at 3a.m.), so that is my strength right now. I'm planting all these ideas as mind-seeds so that I'll have a harvest ready to go when the conditions are better. That's the plan, anyway.
Sorry it's taken me so long to find your blog, Jan. I'm now an official follower so I'll be back! :)
Amy
Such a lovely post, Jan. I wonder why it is we so often forget the carrot or bit of chocolate? Enjoy your quiet weekend.
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