So, a bit of transparency here for full disclosure. Sometimes, I’m just processing things when I write. It just flows out in a much more organized way than if I was speaking. There’s something intrinsically valuable to me about letting words flow across the page. Valuable, rewarding, and fulfilling to see the words form into sentences and paragraphs.
Are you that way when you write? Or are you feeling that way when you do whatever it is that you’re passionate about? My mom paints and I feel that’s how she feels when she puts all the colors together on a canvas and sees how they form the pictures in her mind.
My previous health coach, Patrick Bell taught me to do release work at night. It really has helped me with anxiety!
Release work is basically writing for 10-15 minutes before bed; emptying out all your concerns and thoughts and actively working to release those things to God. This is similar in a way to the Morning Pages taught by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way. The Morning pages allows you to empty the slate and start fresh.
Some people don’t need to write in order to do this, they are able to have time on their own or with God to let go of all the cares of the world.
Now, I do release work and then follow it with Christian meditation from Philippians 4:8. I do it in the morning or at night. It doesn’t take long because I’m working to actively release things in the moment throughout the day. (I’m a beautiful work in progress!)
There are many different reasons why writing is so good for me and releasing things that don’t serve me is one of them. I also write because I enjoy creativity. I’m writing a novel and enjoy getting to know my characters. Sometimes, I’m surprised at shifts in the story as I write because I think I have it figured out. Kind of like how we live our lives- we think w have it figured out but revelation comes or surprises occur. Who we choose to be in the moment is wide open- there isn’t anything holding us back from opening to all the possibilities and choices opening up for us. Do we write today? Work out? Eat healthy so we feel better? Sing a song? Watch a show? Read a little? Kayak along the river?
Challenge is to write all the possibilities down for your day and look at your calendar, priorities and commitments to see what else is possible for your day? What is God showing you for today????
Is your schedule aligned with your goals? There are some things that aren’t negotiable. I still have to take out the trash even when I want to write. I choose to combine strengthening exercises with a tv show so I can do both things that are important to me. Showing up to work, present and committed are important to me, so I make sure that happens even if I didn’t sleep well.
What’s wonderful about my focus is that I get or choose how I feel; what I do; and what energy I put into my actions everyday.
- What are all the possibilities for your day today?
- What makes us happy?
- What commitments are important?
- For today, what do you choose?
- What energy do you choose to commit to your plans for today?
- If all you have is right now, what do you choose for yourself?
Kingdom Chats 