Guidance from Within

Here I am in a flash of creative inspiration and fun!

A couple weeks ago, I had two 100-word stories accepted for publication within two hours of submitting! Record time. I was shocked. Keith T. Hoerner, the editor, said my work was “eloquent, daring, and splendid.” This was not the response I expected.

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I expected silence or rejection, which I’ve had plenty of in my writing life, especially as a young poet, short story writer, and essayist. But I never gave up. I kept writing. I listened to the small voice within that said, Write! Faith, passion, and persistence pay off.
 
The Dribble Drabble Review, an award-winning international online literary journal and print anthology, will run my story “Letter to Isadora Duncan” in their fall issue, and another story, “The Ugliest Thing I’d Ever Seen,” in the spring issue. Both stories will appear in their second print anthology.
 
I’m experiencing a surge of creativity right now. It’s affecting everything I’m doing, which includes writing flash stories, coaching gifted clients, exploring classes I’d like to teach, writing curricula and resurrecting offerings I’ve had in the works for decades. I’ve also just had a sauna garden built in my backyard, the realization of a long-held dream, and am tackling overdue house projects. 
 
I don’t know about you, but my mind moves fast. I can’t manifest things as quicky as I can imagine them. I get lots of ideas but bringing them into the world of form takes time, whether I’m writing a book, teaching a workshop, designing curricula, or building a healing sanctuary. 
 
Fear makes everything harder, and it has bogged me down. Big time.
 
But recently, I’ve been turning inward for comfort and support. 
 
I’m surrounded by spiritual helpers who want jobs. So, I put them to work. When I don’t know what to do, or need assistance, I ask, Got any suggestions? Will you help? Then I wait. I receive answers in the form of thoughts, images, or ideas. But I must put my faith in this process for it to work. And it doesn’t always work the way I think it should.
 
I had a spiritual awakening years ago, which I wrote about in the “Spirit” section of my memoir Raw: My Journey from Anxiety to Joy. During that time, I understood viscerally that I am much more than my human body. Several mystical encounters—I experienced myself as a mass of vibrating energy, as an eternal soul existing beyond time and space, as a vessel through which ancient voices spoke—revealed to me the truth of eternal, unitive consciousness.
 
That was cool, but it led to the question: now what?
 
Now that I know we’re all connected, made of the same life force energy, and that our essence is love, how do I live with this awareness—especially in a world plagued by chaos, insecurity, fear, and unworthiness. And how do I remember? I often forget.
 
My helpers tell me I’m not alone. None of us are. 
 
NASA’s James Webb telescope reinforces the enormity of our universe. We are puny when you consider our solar system. Puny, but miraculous. 
 
This inspires me to loosen my grasp on life. It reminds me that I don’t have to carry burdens alone. It’s absurd to think that I’m in charge of, or capable of controlling, my life or anyone else’s.
 
What’s being asked of me at this time is to take an honest, compassionate look at the things that hold me back from experiencing my essence: love. 
 
Fear holds me back.
Insecurity holds me back. 
Impatience holds me back. 
Judgment holds me back.
 
How can I soften these human aspects of myself so that they don’t obscure my innate peace and well-being? How can I gracefully manifest my visions, and help others do the same? How can I experience greater freedom and less fear? 
 
These are questions I ask my guides because insight—sight from within—provides excellent answers. The more I quiet my mind, the more I listen to and trust what I hear within, the more my creative expression—and life—expand. 
 
I’m grateful for the creative flow I’m experiencing lately, but I also understand that contraction accompanies expansion. I’ll need to welcome that, too, when it arises. But in the meantime, I’m enjoying what’s unfolding, and I’m reminded to keep the faith, to make self-supporting choices, to seek guidance within, and to trust what shows up. 
 
New writing circle forming next week! Please let me know if you’d like to join us!
 
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