Imagine what might be possible if you open yourself to a new thought
When I was in my 20’s I imagined that I would be the next Great American Writer. I sat at my portable electric Royal typewriter every day, inventing stories about people, documenting my observations, journaling ideas for my first great novel.
One afternoon a friend said to me, “Why do you bother? There are no new ideas. Everything’s already been said.”
Now, she was an important person in my life, and very smart–– her IQ was high enough to join the Mensa Society–– and so I believed her.
And I stopped writing.
Twenty years later I took a deep breath and signed up for a creative writing class with an amazing teacher who encouraged my writing, challenged my skills and inspired me to write deeper and better.
One day in class she said, “There are no new ideas.”
My heart sank to my knees. No, not again. And then she finished her sentence.
“And so it’s your job as a writer to come up with new ways to say things so that people can see it fresh. New.”
There was such freedom in hearing a new twist on a belief that had limited me for so long.
Her words gave me the permission to pursue this thing that I love so much. More important, I believed in my writing again.
What beliefs do you have that may be holding you back?
Do you think only “artists” are creative?
Do you think that you can’t apply for that dream job because you don’t have the right degree?
Do you think only selfish people can be wealthy?
These kinds of limiting beliefs often hold us back from tapping into that wondrous place of passion and creation inside of us.
An exercise, if you’re willing:
Choose a belief that you currently have that you would like to change. On a blank piece of paper, write the complete message.
In what ways does this belief affect your behavior?
Who in your life supports this belief?
How does your role in your workplace/relationships support this belief?
Now think about a new, healthier message that you would like to have that would replace the old message. Write that new message on a clean piece of paper.
In what ways would this new message affect your behavior?
Who in your life would support this new message and how would they do that?
How would your work place/relationships support this new message?
How would your personal and professional behavior (including decisions) reflect this revised message?
What is the first step you will take to embrace this new message?
Ruth – so GLAD you started writing again and got over that limiting thought! You do “spark the heart” and I feel so blessed that we met through UYB. I am loving the continued connection with everyone on Twitter, FB and our own blogs and that we can celebrate each other’s successes. Your passionate people project is such an amazing way to showcase that. Thanks for all you do to ignite those sparks that have lain dormant in our hearts much too long in many of us! Happy 2010 and already I am sensing it’s going to be a doozy!
Thanks, Kathy! I’m loving the connections, too. There is such power and support and PASSION in the group.