I used to feel a shapeless longing—an aching emptiness that filled with sound whenever I picked up a guitar or a blank notebook or a set of colored pencils.
Thanks for these great reminders to just...allow. Allow the trying, and the messiness of the trying, and the playing and the experience to unfold however it will. I also appreciate the reminder that even when something is blocking us, like illness or some other curveball, we can be "writing" in observing and fully allowing that experience to be had, too. Nothing has to be a waste. And, lastly, I add my personal plug for 100 poems, which is the brightest spot of the new year so far!!
So much to like about this! The idea of low pressure writing attitudes, the feelings of wanting perfection opposed to actual efforts ,trial and error and the deception of "could have". Seriously considering the 100 poems challenge, happy year of the sh*tty first draft!
Thank you so much! And keep in mind that the whole 100 Poems challenge is more of a playful invitation than anything else. 10 poems is also a really excellent number! The comments thread over there is magical, though - i hope you’ll check it out!
I am so here with you in this. More fledgling, for sure, but here. Here is what matters, not the perfection of the piece. In realizing that this was part of the thing that kept/keeps stopping me as well, I've come to also see the other side. If we give/write from a place that's honest and real, it's not like our gifts/output is worthless if not perfect. For me I think it's so about staying in touch with that inherent worth in us all.
That rings true to me, too! Staying in touch with our own worth and also with the intrinsic value of the writing process! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lisa, this resonates so much! The 100 poems project is a wonderful space and is getting more poetry flowing in the world. It also grounds me in a particular way, the writing, trading, sharing and listening. You are a brilliant and marvelous writer. I enjoy whenever you create and share.
Thanks for these great reminders to just...allow. Allow the trying, and the messiness of the trying, and the playing and the experience to unfold however it will. I also appreciate the reminder that even when something is blocking us, like illness or some other curveball, we can be "writing" in observing and fully allowing that experience to be had, too. Nothing has to be a waste. And, lastly, I add my personal plug for 100 poems, which is the brightest spot of the new year so far!!
Awww thank you . . . and especially for that plug for 100 Poems! I feel the same way about it!
So much to like about this! The idea of low pressure writing attitudes, the feelings of wanting perfection opposed to actual efforts ,trial and error and the deception of "could have". Seriously considering the 100 poems challenge, happy year of the sh*tty first draft!
Thank you so much! And keep in mind that the whole 100 Poems challenge is more of a playful invitation than anything else. 10 poems is also a really excellent number! The comments thread over there is magical, though - i hope you’ll check it out!
I am so here with you in this. More fledgling, for sure, but here. Here is what matters, not the perfection of the piece. In realizing that this was part of the thing that kept/keeps stopping me as well, I've come to also see the other side. If we give/write from a place that's honest and real, it's not like our gifts/output is worthless if not perfect. For me I think it's so about staying in touch with that inherent worth in us all.
That rings true to me, too! Staying in touch with our own worth and also with the intrinsic value of the writing process! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lisa, this resonates so much! The 100 poems project is a wonderful space and is getting more poetry flowing in the world. It also grounds me in a particular way, the writing, trading, sharing and listening. You are a brilliant and marvelous writer. I enjoy whenever you create and share.
Thank you so much, Larry! I'm so grateful for how actively you share and offer your support to others in that space!