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Finding “The Right Book” On My Spiritual Journey
Do you think that certain books show up in your life just when you need them? I choose to believe this. Finding “the right book” can feel particularly serendipitous when you’re on a spiritual journey. The right book just means one that resonates with where you’re at on your own unique path of spiritual awakening and self-discovery. And sometimes it isn’t just the author’s message that awakens something within you and moves you. While I do occasionally buy new books, I prefer going to second-hand bookstores. It kind of feels like going on a treasure hunt. And as one who loves reading, I do consider books treasures. Sometimes in these…
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Something’s Coming, Something Good
Something’s coming, something good. I don’t know how I know. I just know, Despite evidence to the contrary, That good things are coming my way. That’s the power of faith. Having faith – even if it’s the size of a mustard seed, Is Yes enough For the Universe To work wonders in our lives. … One of my favourite musicals is West Side Story. I used to be obsessed with it. I even attended a live performance of it decades ago all by myself, which was “brave” for me, considering how socially awkward I felt back then. The song “Something’s Coming” wonderfully encapsulates the knowing anticipation I’m feeling. Something’s Coming…
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Unconditional Self-Love
I recently spent time at a coffee shop for the first time since the start of the pandemic. It was nice being able to sit by the window, sip from a large mug of latte, people-watch, and write in my spiral-bound notebook. I tried to savour my time there, to not rush to get to a personal writing task. When I got home, while removing my shoes and coat, I reflected on my having completed my writing task and for treating myself to a nice time alone at the coffee shop. I said to myself, “I’m proud of you.” Right after I said those words, though, I wondered When have…
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Quality Over Quantity – The Widow’s Offering
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” Mark 12: 41-44 My takeaway from this Bible passage of The Widow’s Offering:…
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The #1 Reason You Won’t Like Writing on Medium + Why It’s Better to Have Your Own Blog
Writing on Medium has made me grateful that I have my own blog. I’ll give a brief overview of the popular website before I get into the reason why you may not like writing on Medium over writing on your own blog. Medium is an online publishing platform where anyone – regardless of your writing experience and whether you’re a paying member or not – can write and publish articles. You can also read articles on an array of topics, but if you’re not a paying member, you’re limited to reading three articles per month. The website has been around since 2012 and has a large following. Per Wikipedia, the…
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A Non-Traditional Approach to Cope With Procrastination and Perfectionism as a Writer
How many times have you tried to “fix” your problem with procrastination and perfectionism by employing mainstream methods – quick fix hacks – that fail to address the reasons behind your deep resistance to and fear of writing? Having tried and failed at using traditional methods to crush, beat, and punch procrastination and perfectionism in the face, I decided to try a non-traditional method that focuses more on healing rather than “fixing” my problems. So I registered for a video course called YOU Are a Writer: Getting Past the Fear and Finally Moving Forward created by writer and writing coach Lauren Sapala. Right off the bat, if you are someone…
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Why I’m Taking a Writing Course to Heal Writer’s Block and Procrastination
A few days ago I enrolled in a writing course to try to work through my writing struggles. Over the years, I’ve tried “fixing” my writer’s block and procrastination on my own. Here are a few of the methods I tried: 30-day writing challenges Timed free-writing sessions Morning pages Scheduling writing sessions in my calendar All to no avail. I failed. When all else fails, seek help I’m at a point in my life where I feel like my back is against the wall. I just turned 51, and I feel like time is running out. How much longer can I put off going after my dreams and living up…
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My Resistance to Calling Myself a Writer
Are you a writer? How do you know? When can you call yourself a writer? Are you a writer ONLY IF you get paid to write? Are you a writer ONLY IF you have an audience of readers? Are you a writer ONLY IF you write books? What is your definition of a WRITER? One thing I know for sure: I am an overthinker. I joined Twitter recently and have started following people in the writing community. Big mistake for someone who struggles with the idea of calling herself a writer. In fact, in my bio I say: “I write. Sometimes.” My feed is populated with other people’s tweets about…
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Pieces of the Pandemic: January 2020 – January 2022
Pre-Pandemic This was me before the world stopped being what I had known. The grainy quality of this image evokes an old-time feel even though it was taken only two years ago. It feels like many more years passed between then and now. Look at me looking all happy, clueless as to how our lives would become a surreal reality just a couple months later. July 4, 2020 There are more and more people venturing outside, lounging in public spaces like parks and patios. This is what happens in warmer weather. When the sun comes out, the people follow. We are drawn to it like a magnet. Not even a…
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My Slow Growth as a Beginner Content Creator on YouTube
Are you a new or beginner content creator and feel like you’re not making a difference? I imagine many content creators, regardless of where they fall in the content creation journey, sometimes question if their work is making any difference at all. But this question is probably more frequent if you’re a new or beginner content creator. Being a beginner content creator myself, I can speak to the inner struggle that comes with “putting yourself out there” and feeling like it’s not making any difference. Feeling like what you’re doing isn’t reaching anyone. I know what it feels like to check my analytics only to see 0 views across the…