Why is it so difficult to write sometimes?
Distraction.
It is the secret enemy of writers and authors that slithers in, most often unnoticed, when we have many things going on.
Ahhh, the art of multi-tasking.
Distraction presents an especially difficult challenge when good and positive things are happening for and to us.
Writers, like most artists, come to our work because we were not seen and acknowledged by our parents.
Well-meaning, and by no means Mommie Dearest, our parents held our well-being as their utmost concern when guiding, and coercing, if not blatantly steering us from pursuing the work we sought to accomplish as artists in our efforts towards attaining financial fulfillment by doing what we love.
They cared for us. Yet, their ideas were oftentimes the least supportive. And so we found ways of distracting ourselves from their desires and will to have us be more normal by choosing careers offering what they felt certain would provide a more stable and secure lifestyle.
Distraction. The ability to pull one’s attention from that which hurts in an effort to survive is a great and important skill.
The nurse distracts the pediatric patient while administering the immunizing vaccine through the needle of a syringe she or he sticks into the child’s skin.
Likewise we artists, literary, music, painters and sculptors have developed methods for avoiding those aspects of our lives, that if otherwise dwelt upon, would consume our energies and thoughts absorbing our imaginations from that which we seek to create.
And yet it is from our pain, memories of those daunting experiences of childhood, that we draw strength to write and perform our art.
The door to liberation is like that of a swinging door. What opens to our pain also opens to our healing.
The artist must learn to enter and leave, travel in both directions, not grow stuck in the pattern of traveling in one direction.
The business side of any work that we do requires attention, and care. It also asks for commitment to truth and ourselves, what we need as individuals who often struggle for respect and acknowledgment.
Others will only see and recognize what we are about, as much as we perceive ourselves and the work we do as valuable an important.
Distraction.
Good things entering our lives, receiving the payoff for that upon which we have worked so hard to accomplish can cause a watershed of feelings to emerge within.
If our parents told us we would never achieve success at doing what we love then making good on our passion, carrying out the work our hearts love, and our souls crave brings to light the lies we were told.
Untruths no matter how interwoven in love, leave a bitter taste of betrayal, both from those who crafted the deception, however much they believed it, and also those who accepted it as good and right.
Children believe what parents say, if only to please the parents, and to achieve a sense of safety and order.
When life shows us differently we must regroup, most particularly when it is our life and success at living out our dreams that highlights the error.
When success comes our way as artists we must concentrate on remaining focused.
We must show up, and say, “Present. I am here.”
We do this by slowing down, taking a deep breath, and with thankfulness and grace saying, “Well done.”
What distractions arise when you achieve your goals?
How often does doubt pull your attention from the task at hand?
What gifts do you offer yourself for a job well done?