Raw Reflection
[CELEBRATE This Week 240]
I was talking about blogging with Pernille and asked, “Do you set your posts ahead of time?”
“Nope,” she said. “It’s all first draft writing. Whatever is on my mind.” She went on to talk about how if she thinks too hard, then her head gets in the way and the writing doesn’t happen. “Blogging has always been an act of reflection,” she said.
I nodded because I agreed, but also because I realized the profound truth. It is true for me, too. Blogging has always been an act of reflection. Lately, though, I think my head has been in the way.
What if I strip away all of the shoulds and just go back to my blogging roots of opening a post box and stacking some words? What would I write if I just stopped thinking?
Giving ourselves grace might be the bravest thing humans can do.
When stress strikes, sometimes it takes maneuvering who we want to be for who we need to be. We can’t control the circumstances in our lives. Grace means I accept the person I am during the unraveling circumstances I don’t want.
This takes courage.
We know we can’t control the circumstances. I can pretend to be okay with this fact until the path becomes gnarled and my footing isn’t sure. One step can land with a swoop that carries me into a rushing river. Life tosses me from bank to bank, spins me by the current, and ransacks the way things are supposed to go. Things unravel more and a fire sets in, consuming everything I’ve ever known and burns down the dream of how I hoped things would be.
Today I was reminded of the importance of reflection. I was reminded that it’s okay to think deeply and feel strongly. It’s okay to lean into the circumstances we would rather not face.
Sometimes circumstances force a new normal.
During these times, humans need excessive grace. Just because we want to shake things off and go back to normal, doesn’t mean it is possible.
It takes time to find and accept a new normal.
It takes grace to find and accept a new normal.
Grace means I give myself a break for not mailing the letters or snapping the green beans or writing the next chapter. Grace means I’m satisfied with holding tight to my joy and grateful for my self-control.
Every good story has dark twists. There’s no reason I should be exempt. I’m going to celebrate grace in the unraveling. Grace guarantees finding light in the dark forest; traveling rough waters without drowning; and surviving a fire without burning.
This post is part of a weekly offering to celebrate in the middle of the muddle. I hope you join the celebration!
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I wrote an ugly post today. And an ugly notebook entry. But I wrote. And that’s important. I was so happy to find this post and see that you have written too.
I saw on Twitter that you’re at a conference and in the same room as Matt de la Pena and hanging out with Pernille. Love lurking and seeing what you’re up to. Raw reflection and grace. Glad that you’re engaging in both, but could you just send those green beans my way? I’ll snap them for you! Keep celebrating grace in the unraveling and keep opening those post boxes and stacking words. Hugs. 🙂
Did Sam get his mail from me?
I am glad to read your words whether they are raw or polished. Your writing is always from your heart and it reaches far.
Raw reflection, a piece of grace itself. Grace, light in the dark, survival, a new normal, joy- hope. Keep celebrating.
Sometimes I have to plan, but mostly the reviews. Your post(s) show the truth of lives, wishing everyone could read them, Ruth. “Grace guarantees finding light in the dark forest; traveling rough waters without drowning; and surviving a fire without burning.” Yes, we journey on!
Your words always leave a mark on my heart and linger in my mind. Counting the days until we can spend some time together. 🙂
Remembering the wonderful times we spent together at All Write in the past and trying not to feel jealous. Happy visiting, dear friends!
Ruth, I may be late for the celebration this week but I wanted to be part of the positivity when I read Terje’s Saturday post. There never seems to be enough time in my days to do everything I want to do. I love your thought, “This post is part of a weekly offering to celebrate in the middle of the muddle. I hope you join the celebration,” and included that line at the end of my post which is at http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2018/06/celebrate-springtimes-digital-art.html.