Through this month, I’ve been trying to settle into my word of the year and it’s amazing how I keep getting various nudges and reminders from the Universe about being intentional. I have been finding wisdom and insight through words and media on how to be more intentional in my choices.
Where have I been finding wisdom and gaining insights from? Books, social media posts, music, etc. One of the places that I continue to find inner wisdom from is my practice of writing Morning Pages. (thank you to the life-changing The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron).
There have been some themes that have been coming through quite strongly. Let me share them with you and the words/ media that inspired me.
# 1 – I need to be lovingly listening to my life – from this will flow wisdom, gratitude and calm.
Gratefulness is there from the very beginning, because it is always a loving listening to whatever comes your way, and if you lovingly listen to it, you are grateful for it. ― Br David Steindl-Rast
# 2 My healing from emotional pain and the resultant anxiety is ongoing. I must continue to work on conscious healing through journaling, affirmations, etc.
# 3 I must look at the intention behind the choices I make. Fear must not be what moves me. Instead I must be led by love and joy.
“Does doing it bring you joy?
Does it boost your confidence?
Does it help you stay inspired?
Does it help you connect with that part of you that is always peaceful and filled with wonder and possibilities?”
― Laurie E. Smith
# 4 I must be kind and empathetic but I need to revisit what empathy really means.
This image made me smile because it reminds me a bit about what I’ve tried to create in my writing studio – The Frangipani Creative.
Today I’m really grateful for the access to books and media that brings me such diverse voices and views and truly opens my mind to new ways of thinking! ♥
What words inspired you in the recent past?
This week I’m linking to Marsha Ingrao’s post WQ #157 – Literature/Media that Inspires
Discover more from Everyday Gyaan
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Corrine, this is a deep post. I particularly like your quote about empathy. I think that is a tough one to manage. I probably tend to protect myself now. I didn’t used to be. I also like your reminder that fear can’t be what motivates us. That principle is another one that has been hard for me to master. Thanks for joining WQ. 🙂
Thank you, Marsha. I’m working on this new idea of empathy too. I know what you are saying – we give and give and then we become cynical when people take us for granted. Trying to find a middle ground is hard.
I so agree with #3. The universe reminds me of my word of the year (CREATE) every time I find myself losing confidence or my mind going astray.
The Universe is pretty good with its reminders, Shilpa!
I’ve always thought of empathy in a writer’s terms: the ability to extrapolate from real personal experiences and conjure real emotion that doesn’t mean I had to go through the EXACT same experience as the other person to hurt, be nervous, be angry, or be happy WITH them. Sympathy, on the other hand, is a sort of arms-length “I get it” without feeling anything like what the other person is feeling. To feel an emotion BECAUSE they feel it, but not to feel the emotion with them, because we’ve felt it ourselves in some similar capacity. If I can create a believable character and explore the inner workings of their mind and heart and express that in credible ways, that’s empathy; if I can only accurately describe the outer manifestation of that character’s emotional reactions, that’s sympathy, at best.
And indeed, we do have to guard against being sucked down into suffering by proxy, by virtue of empathy, because that is absolutely paralyzing and does no one any good at all. I can feel empathy for a mother in Gaza without curling up into a fetal ball of rage and grief.
#3 and #4, here, are the points I most relate to and am working on. 🙂 I’m glad that you are, too.
Looking at situations from a writer’s view point might be one of the best ways to be empathetic without getting sucked in! Trust you to put a new spin on things, Holly. ♥
So much rich wisdom in one place here, Corinne. Plus, seeing your book shelves made my heart swell. I zoomed in so I could see more of the titles and recognized a few I’m familiar with as well (including an old Scott Peck book I read years ago, The People of the Lie). 🙂
Thank you, Lisa. Yes, The People of The Lie was an impactful read.
Most of our books are in Mumbai. Will be moving them over soon.
I have always struggled with maintaining boundaries in empathy and now I see my daughter doing the same. It took me a while to set limits. I think I’m getting better at it with time. I loved the quote you shared.
My mother always warned me about being a softie and being taken for a ride, Tulika. It took me too long to learn about boundaries.
I understand what you talk about empathy, Corinne. We do get it wrong many times.
Our choice word shows up whenever we need the guidance. It always amazes me when it happens. ❤️
It’s amazing how this word of the year stuff works, isn’t it, Vini. I’m glad we’re all journeying together through this.