This morning, I brushed my teeth with hand cream. Not cool, Diane. Nor is it helpful, as the hand cream has the opposite effect I was going for—clean, sparkly teeth? No, just dull and pasty. Yuck.
Anyway, when I do things like this I take it as a sign: A sign that I’m not present in my life. Since “being present” is one of my major goals in life, when I do stuff like brush my teeth with hand cream or lock my keys in my car, I know I’m not living in alignment with my deepest values.
So, what to do? Take a leap, that’s what I like to do. I go through phases where I think about what I really want and I dither and hesitate, then I do something drastic that I was sure I was too scared to do.
One of my favorite quotes is from the naturalist, John Burroughs: “Leap and the net will appear.” So far, every time I’ve taken that leap, the net has, in fact, appeared. I couldn’t see it before I jumped, but there it was. I’m trusting that it’ll be there again.
I’m going to put this blog on hold until December so I can work on my novel. I’ve signed up for NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) and I’m determined to do some real work on it. In order to do that, some things have to give—this blog is one of those things.
I know what you’re thinking: That’s it? Big deal.
Right. But to me, it is a big deal. I’ve made a commitment to this blog so changing that commitment feels dangerous to me. And I need to honor the deeper commitment I’ve made to myself to finish this novel, to see if I can get it to a point where it is publishable.
I’ve also been longing to work on a coaching book for years and I’ve finally started on that.
Telling you all this feels like leaping off a high cliff.
Here I go.
What’s the leap you want to take? Whatever it is, trust me, if you take the leap that leads you toward your deepest desires, that net will appear for you, too.
See you all in December!
Love,
Diane
Good for you Diane! I hope to read your book (s) someday. And great advice in this month’s blog. Thank you.
Hey Gina,
Thanks for your good wishes. I’m so glad you found the blog post helpful.
Warmly,
Diane
Thanks a lot for sharing NaNo with us! I have the feeling is going to be the little kick I was needing.
All the best with your novel!!!
Concha
Hi Concha,
Yes, I find the structure and accountability of NaNo very useful! I hope you do, too. Good luck with your writing and with NaNo!
Warmly,
Diane