There is an action thought about but not taken; one then ten, one hundred, then one thousand. The big life mission continues to evade us because it feels too big; it also causes emotional strife because we know that we aren't doing what we are here on this earth to do. I'm not sure if there is any human being that isn't touched by this force, this resistance that I think we are seldom really aware of. The mission can be to touch one other life with one's actions; or it could be to touch countless lives with one's actions. Collectively we are good at ideas and not as good at action.
Maybe this applies to you; maybe it doesn't. I know it applies to me in so many arenas. I am more peaceful and calm and artistically engaged when my house is neat and clean. Cleaning The Entire House before I can begin to create art is often intimidating not to mention frustrating. When I let my frustration grow, I grow still, then don't clean or create. When I start with one little thing; I'm just going to put these dishes away..... It almost always leads to one more little thing; I'll just sweep the kitchen floor.....before I know it, I have a load in the washing machine, a clean kitchen, and then -soon - I am in my studio -creating. And then I feel the bliss of who I am.
One action stirs another. One melody provokes harmony. One kind word leads to a kind reaction. Putting my tennis shoes on starts a walking journey. Writing a letter to a friend leads to calling another; soon I am connecting and plugging in to the relationships that make my life beautiful. How many beautiful moments have I shared with my musical friends and family when one person strummed a guitar or sat down at the piano and started a simple song and one by one, others join in with other instruments, percussion, and voice to create something that in the moment is beautiful and complete? One right action breaks resistance and we get going; we get started; we magically forget about the Entire Thing as something too hard to have or create and begin creating it step by willful step. The smallest action leads to thousands of actions that build a life and it's mission. Why is that sometimes so hard to get started on? We might never understand this resistance, but it can be overcome.
Yesterday I heard the short and powerful phrase: Do The Work. I've been ruminating on the phrase ever since. Everything started, completed, created begins and ends this way - with one action. Action trumps resistance, and we just need to be the tiniest bit stronger than resistance. Resistance- that powerful force - will always be, and we might need to start over every single day - with one right action.
Kerstin
Agh, I'm always so nervous I didn't get the point when I respond on here. But you always makes such wonderful observations and points. So, at least, I'll say I still so enjoy reading your words. YES! Getting started is always the hardest part, but once started it does lead the way to other things getting done, or just a rolling snowball of positive energy. Even when they aren't directly in the path of what you intended, it can be affected by how it is approached once that resistance is gone. Resisting change is a big conflict for most. The resistance to just having a positive attitude is amazing to me. "Do the work" yes, it comes down to you in the end, the only one that can make your day good or bad. Just like that early post about "the other person is never the problem". That being said, I wanted to thank you for getting me started on that road w/ the "can do" attitude. Ha, that may sound cheesy, but, my goodness, it means so much :)
ReplyDeleteAngelle, thanks for reading my blog! I don't know that there is a point to get; I try and write to a particular theme, and lately have been writing more about what I don't know than what I do know :). There's an old adage that goes something like, 'write about what you know'.....heh.
DeleteGlad to hear that you're well :)
Kerstin