I have the leisure time to honor my own rhythm. I can write when I want, walk when I want, do nothing when I want. It’s very freeing. And it’s very revealing.
There is an inner rhythm you need to hear
I started to beat myself up when I didn’t do things in the time line I had decided upon. Once I stopped doing that, I found that when the time was right, it all came together with unexpected ease.
I should/could be doing something else right now. Writing this post is not on my list and yet here I am, listening to my inner rhythm and writing my third post in an hour – all about things I want to figure out, things I need to know. Ideas I’m curious about.
And not being on the list, it sort of added to my burden of the number of posts I wanted to edit and get out the door for proofing. These three new posts are so good that they are going to the top of the list.
Because I waited.
I listened.
I acted at the perfect time.
Getting stuck is about your inner rhythm
This is the second day in a row that I’ve put off the completion of a particular step. If I would just review my two ebooks one last time, I could have the pdf’s on my site. And yet, here I sit, writing about my inner rhythm. Apparently my inner rhythm does not want to do pdf’s at this point in time, it wants to think and write and explore. That’s much more exciting.
So am I stuck? As far as pdf’s are concerned, it sort of looks like it. But as far as my work of exploring esoteric ideas is concerned, I’m on a major roll here!
For me, capturing and exploring an idea is the most important thing I do. As long as I keep doing that, whatever gets put off is simply because of this priority I make of exploring and discovering.
However, there comes a point….
When you honor your inner rhythm the floodgates open
I have learned that I like to work through immersion – several days on one type of project. I feel less pressured, more focused and more productive. So I take steps to provide several days to focus on a project.
I work in batches. Batches of posts, batches of writing podcast scripts, batches of recording the podcasts. Two scripts written one day, two recorded the next, two edited the next and I’ve filled up my podcast schedule for two weeks.
Honoring your inner rhythm holds some surprises
We call it being “in the mood.” My process of getting in the mood is that first I think of something that needs to be done or that I would like to do. I just notice. I don’t act. I’m going to use the example of housekeeping since that’s not much of a priority for me.
I noticed that the meaningful objects on my meditation altar were dusty. I don’t think the objects themselves minded. It didn’t affect the depth of my meditation. But it finally came to my attention that indeed, a little dusting would be a good thing.
But I took no action. The seed was planted. That was enough.
Until one evening, during a commercial break on The Voice, I got up, moistened a cloth and wiped down all the dusty pieces. It may have taken eight minutes. It felt so easy that I went on and cleaned other areas as well. No big deal; I just took advantage of my mood and my willingness.
Value your willingness
Willingness is a sign of an inner alignment. Jump on it! I often wake up with words pouring out of my mind and I rush through my morning chores as rapidly as possible so I can sit at my computer and write.
Notice when your willingness slows down. As I pushed my way though the technical part of the things I needed to learn next, my willingness got less and less until it brought me to a screeching halt.
So I stopped. I let it go. I honored my unwillingness. I listened to my reluctance And I simply did something else that felt easier and more immediately rewarding.
In exchange for that time off, that release of tension, that change of pace, a few days later I was able to return to my learning process with enough willingness to move forward. I honored my rhythm and was rewarded by positive action in due time.
Decisions should come from your inner rhythm
Honor your inner rhythm when it comes to making a choice. When it was first mentioned that the current librarian of our community center was ready to retire, I thought the timing was really off. Two years ago I would have loved the job, but the person who held it wanted it and wanted to do it her way. She didn’t even want me as an assistant.
But things had changed and she was ready to let go. But was I ready to take over?
I had to look at my willingness. I had to think about the years of commitment a job like that seems to mean. I didn’t dwell on it. I just left it alone and let the idea unfold. Until the day came when I was willing and said “yes.”
There was no talking myself into it. There was no big debate on what it meant to do the job. There was a simple waiting for my inner self to quietly come to a decision.
Get to know yourself
Learn to let go of your rational mind and listen to your inner urges, your inner rhythm. Learn to trust your intuition and respond when it simply feels like the right thing to do.
Honor your inner rhythm. Hear it, heed it and you will always be headed in the right direction.
To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
How to Develop Your Distinctive Voice
The Power of Exploring the Unknown
The Power of Your Personal Path
35—How to Hold the Space for Change.
32 – How to See Your Work As Art
Your Art Must Originate Within Yourself
The Reward is in the Journey
