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I’m currently reading through the book The Right to Write by Julia Cameron. It’s a book of essays paired with practical writing exercises to get the pen moving across the page or the keys typing on the laptop.
I took the book, a pen, and notebook to the local coffee shop this morning to jump-start my writing. Today’s exercise was to write a list of fifty things I’m proud of. When I write a list of anything, moving beyond ten to twenty items is a stretch. Yet I took the time and made a list of fifty items. Some may not be things to be proud of, but it felt like an accomplishment to complete the list.
I think creative writing may be approached with a toddler mentality.
Toddlers don’t filter or censor their thoughts. They express exactly how they feel at every moment. You know where you stand with them. They pick up crayons and color with abandon, outside of the lines, and draw what they think of as pretty, even if it doesn’t make sense to an adult. I hope to become a toddler every time I write.
Today’s List of Fifty Things I’m Proud Of:
- Putting myself through grad school while working full time.
- Resigning from work at the beginning of Covid-19 to save my own life – Life Over Money.
- Studying the flute with Julius Baker, former principal flutist of the New York Philharmonic.
- Having the guts to get on an airplane to Italy for an audition to study the flute. It worked.
- The two weeks I ate nothing but ramen noodles so I could buy a plane ticket, with cash, to fly to Germany.
- Persevering after my knee accident.
- Having the faith to pick up pen and paper, even when I feel like I have nothing to say.
- Getting up in the morning and going places, even when I don’t feel like it.
- Taking care of my car so that it works and is safe to drive.
- Reaching out to others, even when it feels awkward.
- Cultivating my curious mind.
- Keeping up with current events, no matter how distressing those events may be.
- Adhering to the belief that a book is of no use unless it’s picked up and read – with knowledge applied.
- A strong sense of right and wrong. Even when I’ve strayed, it’s possible to find my way back to doing the right thing.
- Excessive tipping. The people who serve you need to be served.
- The ability to endure crushing loneliness.
- Not giving in to the easy outs of drugs and alcohol. I understand only too well that life inflicts unbearable pain at times, but this is not the way to deal with it.
- Losing 30 pounds.
- Realizing I’m a work in progress and I have a lifetime to work on myself.
- Faith in God, no matter what.
- The realization that I’m a procrastinator and that I’m taking action, instead.
- That while I worked in Manhattan, I spent, but I also saved. That was a lifesaver when Covid-19 hit.
- The recognition that change is entirely up to me. Every day, and in every manner.
- Love of Bollywood movies – embracing a culture that is not my own.
- Self-recognition – admitting limitations and living with or changing those limitations.
- Taking out the garbage. Literally, as no one else is there to do it for me.
- Offering advice with love and candor.
- The ability to knit, crochet, and create beautiful craft projects.
- My love of art and color. It influences my ability to write.
- Running a household and paying all bills on time. I’m grateful for the ability to do this.
- Recognition of social injustice. Life is not fair to many and there is no excuse to remain ignorant of this fact.
- Forgiveness. This is difficult in the middle of suffering but necessary for moving on.
- Ice Skating and Roller Skating – my goodness, how I enjoyed these activities when I was a teenager, and miss them now.
- Adaptability. Life changes and we need to give up on some things to gain new experiences and achievable dreams.
- Writing. When it works, it’s self-transforming and magical.
- The word ‘goodbye.” It’s necessary to be able to pull the plug on things not working and to be able to start over again.
- Intuition – listening to your “gut” or “inner voice” resolves many a problem before it starts.
- Health – avoiding life’s destructive habits and maintaining the health you have brings great energy to life activities.
- Tact – the ability to assess a situation and advise others while avoiding hurt or harm.
- Affection – The possibility to remain open to love at all times, and to share feelings with others.
- Analysis – being able to come up with creative solutions to challenges remains helpful, especially at work.
- Tipping – this is often overlooked and is the moment to serve others. (Note – This is a slight repeat of number 15, but that’s okay. It’s a good thought!)
- Organization – The purpose of planning a day is to maximize the use of work time, family time, and recreational time.
- Caffeine Management – Knowing that a coffee (meaning – ONE) is enough in the morning and not to be consumed before bedtime unless I really do want to stay awake at 3 a.m.
- A Full Desk – I’m not wondering where pens, papers, stamps, and envelopes are. There’s plenty of scotch tape. Spare cards can be sent out for sympathy, or for a get-well.
- Cleanliness. Friends can drop by for a visit or a coffee at a moment’s notice.
- Celebration – Knowing that special occasions are to be recognized and enjoyed.
- Maturity – A person lucky enough to live to 80 or 90 has a lot to say about life, and lessons learned. Let’s listen to them!
- Leadership – There are moments when someone needs to make a decision. And it’s not always the loudest voice in the room that needs to make the decision, either.
- Introspection – The moments to break away, reflect upon life’s course, and steer in a new direction are always welcome.
What are the fifty items on your list?
Source consulted: Cameron, Julia (1998). The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, a member of Penguin Putnam Inc.