Today's lesson focuses on our power as writers and the power of writing.
I will begin by reading a poem called Learning to Write and then I will ask you some questions so that we can write together in response.
Learning to Write Some writers are bright with sunshine in their hair.
They think the light comes from far away somewhere.
They can be taught that this light comes from within.
Some writers hold candles.
They can barely see where they are in the immense dark.
They can be taught to write every day to light their heart.
Some writers hold torches.
They think their worth comes from lending others their spark.
They can be taught to write from roots and not bark.
Learning to Write is about retraining our minds to stop their forward motion of what if,
If only,
Only when,
When I,
I want,
And just be.
Relaxed,
Open,
Letting the mind and body write and luxuriate in the space of now,
Still as a tree.
It is from this still space that we grow,
That we create,
That we heal,
That we find peace.
Allow yourself to let go into the full peace of the present moment and know that all life comes from this.
Everything you need is right here,
Right now.
Sometimes I don't write because I am afraid,
Uncertain,
Giving,
Empty,
Hesitating,
Trapped.
I sit down when I am like that.
I say to myself,
You are a beginner.
Begin within.
Still don't believe me?
Make a list of what you've written out of doubt or criticism or hate.
The list is empty.
Now go create.
Let yourself turn to your journal now and we'll write for one minute in response to each of the following questions.
The first question is,
What does being a writer mean to you?
What does being a writer mean to you?
What does being a writer mean to you?
Good,
Finish the phrase that you're writing now.
And our next question is,
What has been one important lesson that you've learned about writing?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase that you're writing.
The next question is,
What has writing taught you?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase that you're writing now.
And our next question is,
What would it mean for you to write from your roots?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase you're writing now.
And the next question is,
How could you write like a tree?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Very good.
Take a break for a second to stretch and look around you.
Pay attention to your body.
And then we'll dive back in.
The next question is,
What do you think you need for your writing?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase you're writing now.
What would it mean to know you already possess all you need?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase that you're writing now.
Three more questions.
The first one is,
Why don't you write sometimes?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Very good,
And finish the phrase you're writing now.
What happens when you do write?
Good,
Finish the phrase.
Good,
Finish the phrase.
And finish the phrase you're writing now.
And here's our last question for today.
What are you ready to create now?
Good.
Very good.
And now we will listen to the poem again from the perspective of having claimed our power as writers through our writing,
Through the writing we have just done.
Learning to Write.
Some writers are bright with sunshine in their hair.
They think the light comes from far away somewhere.
They can be taught that this light comes from within.
Some writers hold candles.
They can barely see where they are in the immense dark.
They can be taught to write every day to lighten their heart.
Some writers hold torches.
They think their worth comes from lending others their spark.
They can be taught to write from roots and not bark.
Learning to Write is about retraining our minds to stop their forward motion of what if,
If only,
Only when,
When I,
I want,
And just be.
Relaxed,
Open,
Letting the mind and body write and luxuriate in the peace of now,
Still as a tree.
It is from this still space that we grow,
That we create,
That we heal,
That we find peace and power.
Allow yourself to let go into the full peace and power of this present moment and know that all life comes from this.
Everything you need is right here,
Right now.
Sometimes I don't write because I am afraid,
Uncertain,
Giving,
Empty,
Hesitating,
Trapped.
I sit down when I am like that.
I say to myself,
You are a beginner.
Begin within.
Still don't believe me.
Make a list of what you've written out of doubt or criticism or hate.
The list is empty.
Now go create.
