writers

A Writer’s Life is Not Always Sweet

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_2239Rainbow Tree artwork done by my friend, Shannon

I think there is sometimes this misconception that writers have it easy. They live happily in their little quiet world, and words just flow out of them, making their way out into the world, and having a positive impact.

I can say this as I’ve found myself, at times, envious of the life of other writers as I perceive them to be in my own mind—that their life is gloriously beautiful and they never struggle to write.

But I’ve realized something big for me lately. When I’m in the flow of writing, my life feels incredibly delicious. It is where I am right now, and the sweetness of this place is somewhere I wish I could live forever.

I can hardly wait to jump out of bed and get to my keyboard lately. Words flying around in my head, waiting to be spilled out through the end of my fingers. They come so fast, I don’t know how I will catch them all.

In fact, as I brushed my teeth this morning, this post was doing laps around my brain. I knew what I wanted to write about in my journal today. I thought about abandoning brushing my teeth – but luckily my toothbrush won the battle.

But a writers life is not always that sweet. I’ve really taken notice lately the ease of how I’ve been able to write lately. I can’t get enough. It fills me up and makes me feel so alive.

But just last summer I abandoned the book I was working on and I did plenty of beating myself up inside about that. But the lesson I see clearly now is that I was forcing it. I also didn’t have the strength for it as my energy was directed in another avenue giving of my time and myself to help a friend.

The outcome of that didn’t end well. It felt like a death to me. I’ve been working through that. And each day I understand more and more why I had to go through what I did. I gave a huge part of my own sense of self away.

You know how hard that is to say that? Me, who is always encouraging others to take care of themselves first? I didn’t heed my own advice. But I also know the time and energy I spent in helping this friend was something I did from the very deepest part of my heart. I’d never change that.

And I’ve come out stronger on the other end. I’m making my way back to me — that inner self who loves to let her light shine. Because when I do, I am truly in the heart of who I am. My life flows and isn’t forced.

This has led me also to a better understanding of what “trust the process” means. This phrase was used often when I took my training to become a SoulCollage Facilitator this past November. Creator of this process, Seena Frost says, “SoulCollage® reminds us in many different ways to trust that everything is happening exactly as it should.”

Isn’t this what life is all about? And this is what I’m really “getting” as someone who loves to write, but isn’t always in the sweet flow of it, and then find myself scratching my head wondering why I can’t always write even though I love it. This. is. normal. I am normal, or whatever normal means. Because in reality I really don’t want to be normal. I want to be me!

It isn’t always going to be easy. How can it? If it was, how would we move to deeper depths to share more the view of our inner world and how we see the world around us? How would we grow?

So I feel like a butterfly lately, awakening from yet another cocoon, excited to spread my newly improved wings.

A writers life, just like life, isn’t always so sweet — but when we can find the blessings in looking back, then, I think, that is what makes life all the more sweeter.

And what a wonderful reminder to take in this lesson, store it in a safe place, and call upon it once again, when we come to a place where we must be patient, and trust the process to unfold yet again.

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I forgot to mention in yesterday’s post that I was interviewed by Nutschell of “The Writing Nut” blog (and yes, that really is her name!) I was her featured writer for her Wednesday Writers Workspace. Take a peek if you wish! It was a fun interview.

Early Morning Cottage View: This is What Surrendering Looks Like

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_2193 (The view outside my writing cottage at 6:15am this morning)

Okay, some of you committee members in my head need to go on vacation. I’ve had about all I need to hear from you for a good, long time. You’ve been heard. I acknowledge you. Now find yourself a peaceful place to reside.

As I closed my eyes last night, I asked those pestering and loud members that seem to reside on the left side of my brain to please take a break.

The members on the right side of my brain, where it is so much more peaceful, raised their white flags as a symbol to the left side that they have been heard. We surrender — meaning we don’t have the answers for you, but that we understand your role in the community.

The community and its committee members that make up the whole of who I am. Me, Barbara Techel. All these parts, the good and the bad, the frustrating and the peaceful, the happy and the sad, each member important to my evolution of growth.

But the committee members who want immediate answers to life’s challenges have been making way too much noise lately. So I surrender to them. I see you. I hear you. But now it is time for you to see and hear what the other members in the committee have to share.

And so I surrendered as I drifted off to sleep last night… to more peace, joy and honoring of self.

As I stepped out of my bedroom patio doors heading for my writing cottage this morning, I realized my prayers from the night before were heard.

“” See,” the right and creative side of my committee members said to the left side members, there is peace when you surrender.

The proof and the only answer you need is right before you. A new dawn.

When you surrender to not having to know all the answers, the answer reveals itself in the light and promise of  a new day — a new day to live in peace and joy, and the true whispers of your heart.

What’s that I hear from all my committee members? Ahhhh, silence. Welcome, and please stay a good long while.

As always, I welcome your comments…

PS:  The winner of Dawn’s book, Dreaming with Polar Bears is Catherine.  I’ve sent you an email Catherine, for your mailing address. Congratulations!  And thank you to everyone who left comments!

Calming the Restless Butterflies

Posted by Barbara Techel

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The butterflies are restless today. They decided to take up residence the moment I awoke this morning. Fluttering about madly in my stomach.

I could fight back or try to soothe them. So I did my yoga practice with extra deep breathing. I also asked for guidance to do the very best job I can.

Tonight is the first in a three part series workshop I am teaching on Self-Publishing. I’ve never taught a class like this before — but I’ve certainly been through it with publishing my own children’s books and memoir.

I remember clearly trying to swim through the endless sea of information on this subject myself. Having spent countless hours and many e-courses I took on the subject. There is so much to learn.

While I think the workshop will get the participants off on the right foot, I hope it will also help them set a foundation for what is ahead. The publishing world continues to change and keeping up is a job in itself. But the rewards are great.

Most of all I want to encourage them to tell their stories and get their book out into the world. While I don’t know yet if and when I’ll have another book in me to write, I do know that the books I have written have changed my life for the better. I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to do so.

And so it is with my first session of talking self-publishing tonight. I step out once again, out of that zone of comfort, hoping I can make a difference in encouraging others to do the same.

And if the butterflies want to come along for the ride, well then, so be it. But I have a feeling once I get into talking tonight they will flutter off to sleep and all will be well.