writing into existence
Have we done today’s prompt before? I could ctrl-F through the newsletter archivces, but I also kind of don’t care because I like to write the weekly prompts based on what’s moving me at the moment authentically and sometimes it’s an idea I’ve already trod.
I will admit that my penchant for exploring the same ideas and similar prompts has made me wonder recently if this newsletter is approaching its shelf life. On the one hand, I ask myself how many prompts can there be? Am I just getting repetitive? Was this a project for a season that is now over?
On the other hand, I tell myself that creativity is vast. Leap and the inspiration will catch you on the descent, don’t abandon a project because of fear of petering out (side bar—the etymology of “petering,” does anybody know it? I could look it up right now but sometimes it’s nice to not scratch every itch through a search bar. Maybe there was a famous Peter who had a story of failure? More likely, it has to do with some latin root, but I’ll admit that my patchwork education only consisted of one teacher who ever taught and quizzed on latin roots and the best I got is “ped” has to do with feet).
See, right there is an example of how the brain sneaks up on you, not necessarily with an interesting thought (I won’t pretend that digression was riveting or profound), but a thought nonetheless. Something that gets you started on some other path, something that may indeed light a spark later on down the road.
So yeah, I’m not stopping Sun Showers any time soon, I don’t think, if only because it makes me feel at least a little productive every week. It lets me say “why, yes, I have been writing lately. I have a little newsletter that I write weekly.” But I do mull over these thoughts, wondering how long to sustain the practice. And when I write a prompt that’s reminiscent of another from a previous week, I cringe a little and try to give it some kind of alternate focus or spin. And that’s where we’re at this week.
prompt #41:
Sometimes, when we write a belief or a mantra, an idea or a practice, we are not actually writing about our current actions, but instead presenting a promise or an oath for ourselves. When I say I am sending out this newsletter weekly, I am informing you of the schedule, but also (perhaps more importantly) vowing to make it so. I put the intention out on the internet. I told it to others. It’s a promise to myself as much as anybody. And that’s the power of writing, sometimes. We’re manifesting, not because the universe or god is necessarily providing (although power to ya if that’s your belief system, I’m not negating that), but because we’re making it so. We’re creating the environment for ourselves in which it’s easier to stick to it. “I’m a writer,” “I’m moving to New York,” “I’m going back to school,” “I’m starting my own business.” It’s a kind of magic, especially powerful because the spellcaster is you.
For today’s prompt (yes, we’re finally getting to it), write out that mantra, belief, intention that you need to hold yourself to. You get to play Prometheus here—write something into existence.
If you aren’t sure where to start, here are some questions to ponder: What mantra has driven you in the past or throughout your life? Why? How has it served you? How do you relate to it today? What secret wish have you been afraid to voice? Why have you kept it locked up? A fear of failure? A fear of success? Describe the life you want for yourself What does the typical day in that life consist of? What has been perpetually on your to-do list? Write about that task as if you’ve already completed it. What wisdom, advice, practice would you like to bestow on others? Tell them how it’ll enrich their life.
Okay, that’s a lot to work with, I hope. See what comes out of you, long or short, poetic or not, and, as always, send it my way if you’d like to share in next week’s Sun Showers.
ashley's piece:
…prompted today’s intro.