A Writer's Metamorphosis

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, "I name you three metamorphoses of the spirit: how the spirit shall become a camel, and the camel a lion, and the lion at last a child."

These metaphors describe various stages in the transformation of human consciousness. For Nietzsche, nothing is static; all is in flux and becoming. As a beast of burden, the camel accepts a load and goes days through the desert without water. The camel-image seems to refer to the human tendency to confront the difficult out of a sense of duty.

Writers learn grammar and technique from others. We gain the tradition and culture of literature. At this stage we do not have the freedom to make our own decisions because we give our will over to what we believe, "we ought to do." By following the rules we move on a path for further refinement.

Then the lion-like spirit takes over. The creative freedom arises as a writer discovers confidence and rebels.

The lion becomes a child.  A return to innocence energizes. Now the writer can engage in original ideas without restraint.

We may need to shuttle back and forth in the progression to gain the most in our writing.

Have you gone through this process as a writer from obedience through reaction to a child's wonder?  Where are you in the process? Do you risk and struggle with uncertainty?

Develop a metaphor to describe your trip through the writing process.

Realign for Autumn

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous leading to the most dazzling view.  May your mountains rise into and above the clouds."  - Edward Abbey

Each month we require a shedding, purging and flushing of old ideas and frustrations. 

Prepare for a growth spurt in September.



Revive an idea that has gone fallow.


Renew like an explorer on a frontier once abandoned.


Find reverie in an amusement and enchantment.




What have you imagined but never done? 

Regain an experience you've denied yourself for no reason.



Replay a theme in your imagination that needs a reality link.
 

Retreat with an excursion to light up your spontaneity.



Take action. 

Revive. Renew. 

Find your reverie. 


Realign for autumn.

The Power of Resilience

Optimism More and more I have come to admire resilience.

Not the simple resistance of a pillow, whose foam

returns over and over to the same shape, but the sinuous

tenacity of a tree: finding the light newly blocked on one side,

it turns in another. A blind intelligence, true.

But out of such persistence arose turtles, rivers,

mitochondria, figs--all this resinous, unretractable earth.  - Jane Hirshfield Evaluate the ways you relate to resilience with supple staying power. During the day discover solutions to problems never considered. Add mirth and merriment. Make Resilience your motto with a Power word for each letter. Refresh Evaluate Sustain Illuminate Laugh Initiate Evoke Notice Create Energize! Get beyond frustration by searching for "one more way" to Win the Day.