Get Inspired

Just watched this talk by Elizabeth Gilbert (you should too):

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

(If it doesn't work as a link, copy and paste it.)

The talk is 19 minutes, so grab a cup of coffee and settle in, then come back to discuss.

My reaction....

I'm not doing my job.

I know this. I've known this.

All the excuses rain down, I'm drowning in excuses.

• Teaching comes first (responsibility to my students).  I can't discount this one, other than the fact that teaching leaves plenty of time for writing.
• I don't have anything to write about. This one is easy: if you build it, they will come. I know I have to sit down and do the grunt work if I want the muse, inspiration, source--whatever you want to call it--to show up. A simple freewrite would unearth countless possibilities.
• I don't have anything I really want to write about (the way I did with Salt Licks/novel 1). See above--mining for gold is the responsibility of the artist, we can't expect inspiration to magically show up. Sometimes it does, sure. Other times, we have to pursue it, or at least in my case, sit down at the desk and invite it in.
• Yoga Teacher Training is my first priority (after teaching) and it takes so much time and energy. Yes, true. I committed to making it a priority. Not true that it takes all the remaining (non-teaching) time. This excuse is especially troubling since writing about my experiences would help me process what I am learning and coming up against personally (last night it was the sticky issue of past lives/reincarnation).
• Family & friend commitments. These are by choice; and the fuel that keeps me joyful and connected. But it is writing that keeps me sane, energized--my best self to share with others. To not write is to weaken my ability to shine. I realize I am ignoring my dharma when I don't write (what I'm meant to do/my way of being of use in this life). Teaching is only half the equation, to be the best teacher of writing, I need to be a writer who writes.

There are other excuses, but none of them stick. The drowning is an illusion. I stand on dry ground and refuse to get wet. 

I have to start doing my job again. Show up, jump in, and don't just tread water and gaze anxiously and the shore. Swim. Dive below the surface and see what's hidden there, waiting for my attention.