Wow, how are you doing? I hope you are hanging in there okay.
This week I am sick!
And I’m bothered by the craziness of the world, it keeps coming to mind.
But I know I just need to focus on taking care of myself because anytime I start pondering global crises my head starts to hurt and I get a sinus headache.
Well, I have the perfect addition to my “greatest hits” series.
Below are words from an email I wrote in 2021,
it feels like a time that was quite a world away, but yet….so very similar in some ways.
And I just added a few notes at the end to wrap it all up.
Here it is.
—
Sending lots of love since, as you might have noticed, things in the news have been intense.
I want to say it’s been intense only just lately…but really it feels like it has been for years.
With all this, I’m going to put on my coaching hat and remind you that:
it’s important to find a balance between those things that make your heart hurt,
and the things that bring you comfort and stability.
Easier said than done, but I hope you find some opportunities to take care of yourself this week!
(Because you deserve it, we all do.)
One of the things that has brought me comfort lately is reflecting and sharing my values.
I’ve been meaning to send this email for some time, but because values are so important. I took a while because wanted this to BE perfect.
Given that my life seems like one constant move,
(this week I’m driving between Baltimore, Maryland and my soon-to-be home in Madison, Wisconsin)
perfect really isn’t anything I can manage right now.
So although this is a little imperfect now seems like as good of a time as any to share my values.
These are the values that guide me and my work as a writer, writing teacher & coach.
This world is crazy but I still choose to be here and serve because of all the lovely things that remain inside of it. <3
(If you are disheartened, don’t lose sight of what is good.)
#1. You have wisdom.
My greatest joy is to help you connect to yourself, and the genius inside of you.
That holds the key to inspiration for your writing for your book, business and more.
Writing and connecting more deeply to my own inner wisdom
helped me make tremendous positive changes in my life as an abuse survivor.
This goal of re-connection is central to everything I do including coaching, workshops, courses, and prompts,
all designed to help you have aha moments and clarity on what to do next.
#2. We all deserve respect.
Yup. I respect everybody and all my course members are expected to do the same.
My writing groups now include an initial agreement among all members where everyone agrees to demonstrate that respect in specific ways.
Safe space is important to me!
#3. We all have a place.
This world is vast and there are many ways to make a difference:
there is a need for all kinds of people, doing all kinds of things.
Everyone plays their part in a wider puzzle.
People make a difference in their own way and it’s all needed.
YOU DO YOU.
There are many PATHS OF SERVICE,
so you can pick your own…
Or maybe you don’t pick it, maybe it chooses you.
Sometimes it’s a calling or the only thing that feels right.
Sometimes taking a breath to rest and heal can be the most radical thing that you can do.
Not everyone will see this as a “service.”
You may feel judged for not doing more.
But I believe hurt people hurt people,
and healed people hurt people less.
Taking time to meet your needs and try to come into coherence with the best of yourself,
through meditation, or journaling, or whatever tools you have access to,
can be incredibly wise.
This is a path of service that can be a win-win and indirectly benefit others.
Remember that:
Writing for your own self-healing and self-love is a service.
Even if it is private and never shared.
PATHS OF SERVICE is the theme for the upcoming Winter Writing Group
opening to the waitlist November 16th.
(Please note, service doesn’t only mean serving others directly.)
See you next week for the final installment of the “greatest hits” series,
which will help you clarify what path of service is right for you now…
