Ways to keep the fire from going out.
I don’t know what your life is like now. But I’m guessing there is some kind of pain that wants to extinguish any kind of spark within you.
The creative practice, or any practice really (spiritual, physical, mental), is not so much about accomplishing something as much as it is keeping the Fire of Life alive in oneself.
Your fire can go out. The drenching malaise of binge worthy television, destructive news narratives, and body shaming advertising will slowly kill you over time. Wonder, curiosity, imagination, risking, doing, trying, being... these are the warm flames of Life in the coldest of seasons.
I don’t know what your life is like now. But I’m guessing there is some kind of pain that wants to extinguish any kind of spark within you.
Beloved... all I can do is invite you to take off your shoes and walk in the grass.
Stop and listen to every sound you can hear.
Eat a meal slowly.
Hug someone longer than 20 seconds.
Make a drawing of something that makes you giggle.
Notice the beauty of moss.
Stretch.
Sing (or hum if you can’t remember the lyrics).
Drink a Lacroix and burp as loud as you can.
Pet a dog.
Hold a cat.
Listen to rap.
Get sexy with your lover.
Go to a play.
Master the running man.
Memorize a poem.
Swear in French.
Draw your prayers.
Hold hands.
Write a thank you card to everyone who helped you become the magic that you are...
And if you practice weird and wonderful things like this....
the Flame will never go out...
and it will become the very light you offer others who’s flame has gone out.
With love…. Scott
Know someone who could use this pick me up?
I sent this to my 18 yr old daughter, who is taking a gap year to write her first novel while all her friends have gone away. After our longer than 20 second hug today, I reminded her to take a step back from her writing when she starts to feel lost and just live life for a moment while the inspiration finds its way back to her. Thank you for this confirmation that she is on the right path!