A day of gray and rain inspire reflection.
Today’s post is not so much a blog as a resting place. I am busy in the world and yet creatively stalled. I expect to be in a January mode–which I see as focused and resolute (as in, moving towards resolutions)–but I suddenly feel unready for the rush forward. I’ve thought of so many different topics for a blog post, but none of them really interested me. It’s been like looking at a menu and saying, “Not that. Not that. Doesn’t appeal.” Maybe I’m not hungry for those outer experiences at the moment.
Letting more fiery emotions rise to the surface.
So I’m letting myself have an off week. To rest. Who knows what will come up to the surface?
I offer these few words as a point of connection to you. Wondering whether you relate more to the picture of the gray, wet weather or the fiery sky full of emotion. Know that whichever space you occupy, you are entitled. Sometimes we just need to be inward and private. That is one kind of balance.
Questions for Reflection: What is your energy this first part of 2013? Are you in a period of excited energy or finding yourself in a more withdrawn space? What are you hungry for today?
Writing Prompts: “My energy so far this year is ______” (then keep writing); “When I feel gray and withdrawn, I react by ______” (then keep writing); “I relate to the fiery sky by ______” (then keep writing); “I allow myself to go inward by ______” (then keep writing).
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: LisaTener
January 8, 2013 at 8:07 pm
First, I am so inspired by your honoring the need to rest. Yours is such a great question for me, Judy. On the one hand my energy is very excited about a project I’m working on. I’m writing quite a bit, including a blog post that just went up today on the Huffington Post. And preparing to offer a new book writing program (an extended version of Bring Your Book to Life). So I definitely relate to the bottom picture. On the other hand, I can feel a bit of frenetic energy to my activity. I’m not centered or balanced right now. So, your question has convinced me to go to bed and rest! Thanks.
Lisa Tener recently posted..How to Write a First Sentence that Draws Readers In
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 8, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Hi Lisa, I saw the Huffington Post blog and am looking forward to reading it. And the new book writing course sounds exciting – so lots of energy there! Sometimes it’s so hard to accept the need for rest. Glad you are motivated in that direction, too.
Twitter: louiseedington
January 9, 2013 at 11:34 am
Judy, I also love that you are honoring where you are at. I too am not in January mode as I expected to be. I had a launch call planned for this Friday but I have cancelled as I am just not feeling it. I am still very introspective and seeking direction. I feel it will come but I have made the decision as you know to finally write my first book. The ideas and the outline have been floating around for a couple of years now and this time seems as good a time as any to start that and at least get some of it on paper. It can be edited when I am feeling more on fire as right now the writing is rather navel gazing.
Louise Edington recently posted..Love Is ALWAYS The Answer
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 9, 2013 at 7:54 pm
Louise, We both know enough to follow where our process takes us, but it is hard when our minds think we should be somewhere else. I’m looking forward to connecting around our mutual projects of our books and see where we go from there. Here’s to the new year, however we move into it.
Twitter: YvonneElmHall
January 9, 2013 at 4:01 pm
OH Judy how I’ve missed your wisdom! I’m down with a very bad cold and so gray, withdrawn and rest is very appealing to me today! But feel like I’m hiding, or hibernating right now anyways and very excited about what I’ll find on the other side soon!
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 9, 2013 at 7:55 pm
So great to see you, Yvonne! I guess there are several of us in that gray, withdrawn space right now. Looking forward to seeing where we all land on the other side! Feel better soon.
Twitter: laurayoung1111
January 9, 2013 at 8:02 pm
It is beautiful that you are listening to what your body (and soul) need at this time and following the advice of your inner wisdom!
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 10, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Thank you, Laura. I have not always been able to listen to myself, so I am happy to at least be successful in respecting what my body and spirit are telling me. I appreciate your comment.
Hi Judy,
I love your photos, both of them. I especially like the foggy/rainy trees as a point to start a reflection. My energy this year is one of quiet reflection mixed with anticipation and excitement for what the year has to offer. However, I am in recovery and taught to live one day at a time, so am focusing on each day as it comes, engaging in activity which will move me forward tomorrow. : )
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 10, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Hi Carolyn, I actually love gray, rainy weather. Perhaps it is my reflective heart that connects with the darker season. I’m lucky, since we have a lot of that in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a balancing act to be completely within oneself in the present but also leave room for the anticipation. Best to you in your daily recovery.
Twitter: senderofcards
January 10, 2013 at 9:53 am
Wow, its nice to know I’m not alone in the lack of January energy! Definately in the grey day and seem to have been every day so far this year. Maybe instead of thinking I need to snap out of it, I need to be a little more introspective and figure out why.
Thanks for the insight!
Jean
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 10, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Hi Jean, No, you are not alone! I actually have been surprised how many people I’ve heard from here and through e-mail who relate to this January energy being at a lower ebb. It’s so easy to think we should be something else. Even if we don’t figure out why we are in a quieter or more withdrawn state, we can appreciate it as one dimension in life. Trusting it rather than trying to manipulate it – sometimes hard to do, but worth the effort!
All the holiday rush and long vacations makes me feel lazy this January, but now, I think I should pick up my pace now and start working hard again, enough with the lazy time, back to work!
Judy,
As always, reading your blog makes me feel comfortable and relaxed. When I look at your two photos, I relate to the one that’s bright, cheery and colorful. That’s how I’m feeling as we kick off 2013. I can’t say that I’m “kicking butt” on my to-do list for my business but the ideas are flowing and churning in my brain. Instead, I’ve started this year focusing more on my family, home and personal life. That’s where I feel I need to be right now and that is where I’ll draw my energy from when I get back in gear 100%. Maybe Spring and rebirth is the time when we should be in full gear and now (for some of us) is a time to relax and regroup.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Time to Tweak Your Twitter Strategy
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 13, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Hi Sherryl, I think many of us have ideas about January being such a gung-go time, but it’s a slower startup for me and, apparently, some others. Of course, putting time into your family and personal life is hardly sitting back and doing nothing! No doubt you are sewing the seeds that will blossom come spring. I did, by the way, read your Twitter post and have yet to write a comment because I was so far away from dealing productively with Twitter! It’s a great post, though, and I will go back to it.
Twitter: BoomerBazaar
January 13, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Interesting.
Though my energy is high here at the beginning of 2013, I seem to relate more to the black and white image.
I think much of the reason why is that I simply love black and white photography more than color. B&W photography is so evocative.
Perhaps that says something also about my energy: evocative brings out my energy!
At the beginning of this new year, I wish everyone a happy, successful, always-be-learning year ahead!
Ron Whitaker recently posted..Advice for Boomers Who Want to Start a Business – Round-up Friday
I am down with fever and a chronic cold, so I feel myself in a withdrawn space, resting and doing nothing substantial. Although I wish to get back to my routine and indulge in some energized stuff. I loved the picture of the tree posted at the opening of this blog. Thanks,
Aayna recently posted..Kim Wilde Drunk Christmas Impromtu Performance on British Rail
It is different for me, i was hype because of the holidays, i love this season, and it continues up until February. I am alive and really in the mood for work, I do not feel lazy at all, lucky me LOL.
I just love your work Judy. Thank you for sharing it with us. I’ll definitely try your reflection scheme. It’s really going to help out with my year.
Before I completely forget, I’d like to greet you; Happy New Year! I’ve been doing a lot of reflection too. I’m sure to push through with all my plans this year.
We all need some time alone with ourselves to free our minds from worries and take a look at things from another perspective maybe. Thanks for the inspiring share.
I took all of last weekend to “lay low” and reflect. Mental down time is crucial and sometimes it seems you just can’t go anymore~down time is a must!! Definitely was feeling the grey.
Twitter: ReflectiveWrite
January 16, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Hi Jody, I think it’s easy to feel a bit guilty about downtime, but we need it so badly. Maybe we need a motto: Grey is good (at least some of the time)! So glad to see your comment and know you found your way here!
Hi Judy! My energy so far this year is quite not as excited as before, but I’m definitely working on it. I’m gathering lots of reinforcements by now. When I feel gray and withdrawn, I react by reading more and more inspirational post just like yours. I relate to the fiery sky by being happy and clear-minded; I allow myself to go inward by praying and having my healthy solitude moment once in a while. Awesome! Thanks a lot!! The fill in the blanks made me reflect about it.
I have felt the same. Got really excited for what January may bring, but now I don’t really feel motivated, and I think I’m not ready to rush forward and use all my plans. I feel like resting for a bit, but I’m actually excited to what the next days may bring.