Last week I wrote about protecting ourselves from our dreams.
I want to continue the conversation around the notion of doing things just for the joy of them, even if they don’t “happen” the way we want them too.
This is a tough one for me.
I love to dream big and see the possibilities that can be available to us — to imagine things reaching the outcome I want them to have.
And yet, like we talked about last week, what if we don’t get those outcomes? Does that mean we’ve failed? Or that our dreams weren’t worth pursuing?
I don’t think so, though I have to admit I would be disappointed if I never sold a book or a screenplay.
But.
But, but, but.
What if I loved writing so much that I wanted to do it anyway, no matter what the outcome?
We’re always told that we should focus on the things we love so much that we’d do them for free, right?
I think there is powerful truth in that, but I have to confess that I’ve never really believed it up until now. And even today, on a day when writing has been much harder for me than I would like, I can tell you that I love it. And I would do it for free, without guarantee of outcome or success.
That’s a huge step for me. To acknowledge the joy of doing something so much that it doesn’t matter what happens with it.
Doesn’t mean I won’t try.
Doesn’t mean I won’t feel disappointed if it doesn’t “happen” the way I imagine.
But it does mean that I intend to enjoy it every step of the way.
Your Turn
What about you? What do love to do just for the joy of it? What have you been secretly longing to try that you suspect you might find that kind of joy in?
Warmly,
~> March 19th, 2012. The next session of my Writer’s Circle starts. Get my Free Writing Tips series too, and receive a coupon for a savings on your first 4 week session. Sign up here.
~> March 29th, 2012. My next Life Purpose Breakthrough Group. Details coming soon! One spot is already taken so if you’d like to nab one, email us now.
~> Ongoing. Writing in the ProSeries class at ScreenwritingU, which was recently named the #1 screenwriting class by InkTip. They’re offering a free class called, “21 Steps to a Professional Rewrite” this Sunday if you’re interested. Details. It’s a great class that provides a ton of value for screenwriters and may be helpful for novelists too.
~> Daily and especially Fridays. Sacred writing time. The Do Not Disturb sign is up.
~> Still haven’t watched Super Eight but squeezed in Cowboys & Aliens over the weekend. It wasn’t QUITE what I was hoping for but still fun to see.
