Daily Nourishment for The Third Thursday of Advent: When You Let Go of the Rules
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 12 minutes
If you’re wondering if you’re a “real writer,” the answer is “Yes.”
Pause.
Rest for three minutes. While seated or lying down in a spot in that feels safe and comfortable, set a timer, close your eyes, and rest. If you like, begin this time of rest with six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale and/or pray this prayer by Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
Prompt.
Watch this 52-second video that will encourage you to let go of the writing rules that aren’t serving you. Then start making a list of “writing rules” you want to break.
Practice.
Give your attention to the thoughts you have about your writing practice.
What do you say to yourself when you realize you aren’t writing as often as you prefer? What unnecessary or unrealistic expectations do you have that make you feel like you aren’t a “real writer”?
Make It Advent: What thoughts about your writing life and writing practice have come to mind over the past few weeks? What does it look like to wait for certain aspects of the writing life and/or for your writing goals to come to fruition? How has your soul been nourished or depleted since the beginning of Advent and which rules can you let go of to have more nourishment? How does a larger perspective that includes your faith and spiritual beliefs affect your views of your own writing practice and process?
Want More?
Do more journaling in response to these questions: How can you have more freedom in your writing practice? How can you move closer to a nourishing and sustainable writing practice that doesn’t make you feel like you aren’t measuring up?
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—Advent Resources: Throughout Advent, I’ll include a new resource each day. For today, here’s a lovely poem, “The Magnificat” by Mary Ruefle.
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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