When I came across Natalie Goldberg's "Wild Mind" at my last library visit, I picked it up mostly because I thought it would be a great way to become better at writing this blog. To tell you the truth - I haven't had such a good time writing since... well, ever. This book has helped me resurface memories that I thought had got lost and to whet my imagination.
It has also helped me to be kinder to myself. Do you know what I mean when I say we have both a sweetheart and an editor inside of us? The sweetheart makes us feel good about ourselves by saying things like "You did such a great job on that hand-in!". The editor is counteracting the sweetheart by saying things like "But remember that you almost failed on that last one". I don't know your relationship to the two of them, but in my Editor has for a long time pushed around my Sweetheart.
So I followed Goldberg's exercise and let the Sweetheart talk alone for 30 minutes through my writing. I let him be Buddha and Mother Theresa at once. I was surprised, not only by how many good things I actually could write down about myself, but also how good it made me feel. I had overlooked the qualities I should be proud of. My strong sense of empathy and my patience are a couple of them.
What is your Sweetheart telling you?
i really enjoyed this and it made me think. which is always good! new follower!
ReplyDeleteGosh.. I just love this post!!! It's so true... my editor really does get way to much show time in my head... my poor little sweetheart... awwwww.. come on out from behind the curtains!!!
ReplyDeleteWe spend way to much time on the negative hey!! I'm going off to do that little exercise... thank you xxx
I got to go look for my sweetheart now cause he's not picking up the phone! He's gone too far away.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.