Happy May Day!
After my recent bout of insomnia, I am happy to report that I am, once again, sleeping like a tadpole. But, now that it's springtime and sun is up very early...I am afraid that so am I. Today that worked out well because it's Wednesday and time for my weekly lesson from Dharma Frog. I had breakfast prepared, the tea steeping, and the table set, well before Dharma arrived. Once he was here, we sat down to eat a light, seasonal meal.
As we sipped our tea Dharma began speaking, "Irwin, you were lucky to learn at a young age what it is you wanted out of your life. And your family was always there to support you. Writing came naturally to you and that was all you needed. But in choosing to become a writer you gave up things along the way. You worked at honing your craft rather than relax or socialize with your friends. You gave up doing other things that gave you pleasure...all in the pursuit of becoming the best frog author you could be. And you've brought positive attention to your hometown, City of Swamp, as well as to the entire area we call Land of Lily Pad for your dedication and hard work. But that got me to thinking about your readers. Do THEY know what they truly want out of life and what are they willing to give up in order to get it? Tadpole, for the wise frog, half of knowing what he wants is knowing what he must give up before he can get it. It is important for everyone no matter who they are to learn what it is that they truly want from life. I would like it very much if you'd share what I have to say on your blog. Will you do that for me?" "Of course, Sir. I always do." And so began my lesson for the week.
Dharma then proceeded to lay out a few ways that each of us can find out what it is we truly want. This easy exercise really only requires that you pay attention to your intuition. And then have a free-flowing conversation with yourself. The conversation needs to be written down and will use both of your hands. You write the question with your dominant hand and then let the non-dominant hand write down your answer. Okay, I know it'll be a little hard to do. Few of us are ambidextrous. But TRY! Dharma provided a sample of what one of these conversations might look like.
Q. Should I quit my job (or whatever question is burning in your brain)? A. Yes. Once I quit I can get moving.
Q. Moving? What does that mean? A. I can start moving toward a more creative way of living.
Q. Creative? Please explain. A. Like when I was a kid and made that entire town own of matchsticks.
Q. Am I saying that I can make a living by building things out of matchsticks? A. Well, no. But something similar.
Q. What? How? A. Quit your job and your path will appear.
Okay, so now it's YOUR turn to ask the questions. Don't think about the answers too much. Just write. And remember to write your answers with your non-dominant hand! That is important. You may repeat this process as often as you'd like.
Dharma ended our session this morning by reminding me that if we all learn to use, and trust, our intuition as often as we, let's say, send out a tweet or check our Facebook page. We can all make better choices, feel safer in the world, and find more joy in life. But remember that once you decide what it is that you truly want out of life. You might ask yourself in this written style what it is you'll have to give. Will it be worth it? I can't know for sure...and neither will you. But I have a hunch it will be. (Hint: Simply listen to your own, it won't steer you wrong!)
I can't wait to pass on this information to everyone I know. I hope you'll try it out! Please stop back by tomorrow for an interesting look at time. Until then, dear reader,
PEACE.
After my recent bout of insomnia, I am happy to report that I am, once again, sleeping like a tadpole. But, now that it's springtime and sun is up very early...I am afraid that so am I. Today that worked out well because it's Wednesday and time for my weekly lesson from Dharma Frog. I had breakfast prepared, the tea steeping, and the table set, well before Dharma arrived. Once he was here, we sat down to eat a light, seasonal meal.
As we sipped our tea Dharma began speaking, "Irwin, you were lucky to learn at a young age what it is you wanted out of your life. And your family was always there to support you. Writing came naturally to you and that was all you needed. But in choosing to become a writer you gave up things along the way. You worked at honing your craft rather than relax or socialize with your friends. You gave up doing other things that gave you pleasure...all in the pursuit of becoming the best frog author you could be. And you've brought positive attention to your hometown, City of Swamp, as well as to the entire area we call Land of Lily Pad for your dedication and hard work. But that got me to thinking about your readers. Do THEY know what they truly want out of life and what are they willing to give up in order to get it? Tadpole, for the wise frog, half of knowing what he wants is knowing what he must give up before he can get it. It is important for everyone no matter who they are to learn what it is that they truly want from life. I would like it very much if you'd share what I have to say on your blog. Will you do that for me?" "Of course, Sir. I always do." And so began my lesson for the week.
Dharma then proceeded to lay out a few ways that each of us can find out what it is we truly want. This easy exercise really only requires that you pay attention to your intuition. And then have a free-flowing conversation with yourself. The conversation needs to be written down and will use both of your hands. You write the question with your dominant hand and then let the non-dominant hand write down your answer. Okay, I know it'll be a little hard to do. Few of us are ambidextrous. But TRY! Dharma provided a sample of what one of these conversations might look like.
Q. Should I quit my job (or whatever question is burning in your brain)? A. Yes. Once I quit I can get moving.
Q. Moving? What does that mean? A. I can start moving toward a more creative way of living.
Q. Creative? Please explain. A. Like when I was a kid and made that entire town own of matchsticks.
Q. Am I saying that I can make a living by building things out of matchsticks? A. Well, no. But something similar.
Q. What? How? A. Quit your job and your path will appear.
Okay, so now it's YOUR turn to ask the questions. Don't think about the answers too much. Just write. And remember to write your answers with your non-dominant hand! That is important. You may repeat this process as often as you'd like.
Dharma ended our session this morning by reminding me that if we all learn to use, and trust, our intuition as often as we, let's say, send out a tweet or check our Facebook page. We can all make better choices, feel safer in the world, and find more joy in life. But remember that once you decide what it is that you truly want out of life. You might ask yourself in this written style what it is you'll have to give. Will it be worth it? I can't know for sure...and neither will you. But I have a hunch it will be. (Hint: Simply listen to your own, it won't steer you wrong!)
I can't wait to pass on this information to everyone I know. I hope you'll try it out! Please stop back by tomorrow for an interesting look at time. Until then, dear reader,
PEACE.
http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/how-to-listen-to-your-intuition
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