The Soul Is a Web of Stories: A Writing Practice for Writers and Creative Souls

Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 10-15 minutes


“The soul is a web of stories.”
-Thomas Moore

Pause.

Take three deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale. Then set a timer for two minutes and close your eyes and rest.

 

Prompt.

“The soul is made up of stories. The soul is a web of stories…

We need to expose ourselves to good stories because that is the very nature of our being.”

- Thomas Moore

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“When we honor these smaller pockets of creativity— a quick morning journal entry, a brief revision session between meetings, a few moments of free writing or note-taking before bed—we begin to see all of time differently. Time changes from something to battle against into a space fertile with possibility.”

- Charlotte Donlon, Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life

 

Practice.

Set a timer for 10 minutes and take notes on the good stories from your life, from others’ lives, from books you’ve read, from movies you’ve seen, reflecting on how stories that have shaped your understanding of time, creativity, and belonging.

—Which stories make you feel less alone?
—Which stories give you energy?
—Which stories help you rest?
—Which stories make you want to live a fuller life?
—Which stories break your heart?
—Which stories haunt you?
—Which stories help you belong to time instead of fighting it?
—What questions are your stories asking you to keep living into?

If you like, use your notes to begin a new poem, story, essay, or letter to a friend.

Want More?
Read Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life
Read the poem “Hurry” by Marie Howe.

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Flourish Anyway with Rhythms, Rituals, & Retreats

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Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon. You can explore more of Charlotte’s work and offerings at Flourish Anyway®.

*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.


 
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Laughter as Prayer: A Writing Practice with a Poem by Kaveh Akbar

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No Life Is All Bleak: A Writing Practice on Hope with Mary Karr and Jacob Lawrence