A writing practice is a wonderful way to slow down, be present more often, and explore our observations, thoughts, and feelings. And sometimes we unearth an emotion or recurring theme that leads us to deeper self-discovery, and even positive changes.
Thank you for this prompt. I found myself tearing up with Lily's description, an emotion that doesn't often surface yet one just as important as joy and happiness. Reading this essay will go down in my own list of things I am grateful for today. Thanks Clint :)
Though I write every day and have seen this practice before, I get the same benefit from following the motto: Show up and be kind. I can't go back an review it, but it still works to keep life feeling good.
I have studied with Noah Buchanan and it's always great to see his art, here and with your poem about refrigerator door art.
Showing up and being kind is great advice. I am “working” on that too. It helps to review mentally and ask oneself, “was I unkind today, could I have done better”. Sadly, I usually realize I could have done much better.
A practice that I need to instill more often into my daily (or at least, weekly) routine. Taking notice and being present in our day-to-day life is such an important part of our lives. Thank you for reminding me to do this more often.
So similar, many years ago I started a gratitude journal (as heard from Oprah). So many things to be grateful for in a day. Highlights rise to the top. Thank you
You are a gifted writer, and I’m sure your writing is enhanced through daily practice. I have written daily at different times in my life. At the present time, I am living the most difficult period ever as a survivor of Hurricane Ian in SWFL. We got the eye, and a day of grinding away as it stalled over Cape Coral. With the loss of our house, vehicles, dock, etc, I have had to look for anything joyful on many a day (my cat often fills this need!). My tiny off-site studio survived. Typically my sanctuary, it, too, became a point of stress, with no time or energy to paint, and rent and insurance to pay. Luckily, I have a great landlord. Those tiny good moments can be the light that gets me through the darkest of days, as well as the pure drudgery of claims, multiple moves and loss of most of my things for eight months. Thank you for reminding me that I would do well to record them, in words as well as my art!
Well said my friend. And gorgeous cat. I’ve been writing (as you know) about my father’s terminal cancer. He’s probably days away from death. It’s been a two year journey. It’s profoundly--stupidly--painful. But man: I’m writing about all of it right here on Substack. Like you said I find something good each and every day. Writing itself is a great and wild good right now.
A very beneficial practice. I liked the part about keeping it to a few sentences so your mind doesn’t wander and you can stay in the moment.
Usually what I write will fit in a Tweet, although some have gotten slightly longer now that Twitter support long Tweets.
A writing practice is a wonderful way to slow down, be present more often, and explore our observations, thoughts, and feelings. And sometimes we unearth an emotion or recurring theme that leads us to deeper self-discovery, and even positive changes.
Thank you for this prompt. I found myself tearing up with Lily's description, an emotion that doesn't often surface yet one just as important as joy and happiness. Reading this essay will go down in my own list of things I am grateful for today. Thanks Clint :)
Though I write every day and have seen this practice before, I get the same benefit from following the motto: Show up and be kind. I can't go back an review it, but it still works to keep life feeling good.
I have studied with Noah Buchanan and it's always great to see his art, here and with your poem about refrigerator door art.
Showing up and being kind is great advice. I am “working” on that too. It helps to review mentally and ask oneself, “was I unkind today, could I have done better”. Sadly, I usually realize I could have done much better.
We LOVE Noah’s work too!
A practice that I need to instill more often into my daily (or at least, weekly) routine. Taking notice and being present in our day-to-day life is such an important part of our lives. Thank you for reminding me to do this more often.
You’re welcome! It took me a while to get going regularly.
I am committing to this practice today! Lord help me.
Here’s to many more of these cherished moments. Pages and pages of them!
❤️
Love my cat GrayLee!
He loves to follow me around, he is good buddy.
So similar, many years ago I started a gratitude journal (as heard from Oprah). So many things to be grateful for in a day. Highlights rise to the top. Thank you
So true and inspiring !!
You are a gifted writer, and I’m sure your writing is enhanced through daily practice. I have written daily at different times in my life. At the present time, I am living the most difficult period ever as a survivor of Hurricane Ian in SWFL. We got the eye, and a day of grinding away as it stalled over Cape Coral. With the loss of our house, vehicles, dock, etc, I have had to look for anything joyful on many a day (my cat often fills this need!). My tiny off-site studio survived. Typically my sanctuary, it, too, became a point of stress, with no time or energy to paint, and rent and insurance to pay. Luckily, I have a great landlord. Those tiny good moments can be the light that gets me through the darkest of days, as well as the pure drudgery of claims, multiple moves and loss of most of my things for eight months. Thank you for reminding me that I would do well to record them, in words as well as my art!
Well said my friend. And gorgeous cat. I’ve been writing (as you know) about my father’s terminal cancer. He’s probably days away from death. It’s been a two year journey. It’s profoundly--stupidly--painful. But man: I’m writing about all of it right here on Substack. Like you said I find something good each and every day. Writing itself is a great and wild good right now.
Here’s my cancer diaries: https://reallife82.substack.com/p/diary-13-5-21-23