The question of why has been popping up a lot for me this week, and apparently others as well. For example, I had a conversation with a friend tonight who is feeling a bit asea – wondering what her big why is now that’s she’s making some shifts in her life. She remarked just doing things for the joy of it used to be the perfect why, until at some point she got convinced that things had to have a deeper reason, something that could be quantified and measured. I had the delight of watching as she unpacked that bit of wisdom for herself so she can now let go of that oh-so-unhelpful and limiting viewpoint and reclaim doing things simply for the joy of it.
Isn’t that wonderful why to step into – for the pure and simple joy of it?
This week I’ve spent a good amount of time visioning. A part of that process, at least for me, is looking at my whys as well. Because I believe that knowing why I want something is key to inviting in the energy of what I want. It’s always the energy that we really want – how things make us feel – rather than any specific physical object that’s important. We want to put ourselves in a vibrational match to what we want in order to allow it in.
In another, more concrete example of why, I’m participating in a on-line course offered by Gin White of Subtle Harmony called writenergy, which is a way to practice awareness of energetic flow and support while engaging in writing. I’m always up for looking at the energy and vibrational side of things, so paying attention to these things as I embark on some big writing projects feels like a perfect way to support myself.
One of the things we’ve been doing this week is looking at why we write.
My first pass at it was this:
Why do I write?
Because I have things to say. Because I feel like I’ve discovered my voice after years of feeling like I had none. I had nothing to write about, and now it feels like I can write about anything. I have come home to myself, and now I want to be seen. I want to share. I want to use my words, my writing, to examine more closely, to articulate what I know, what I believe, what I’m curious about. Writing helps me find my position, writing helps clarify, writing helps bring closure, and helps open things up. Writing is fun. Writing is a gift I give to myself, and I gift I offer to others. Writing is an act of discipline. Writing is an act of joy. Writing is one of the ways for me to connect with others.
And bingo – there it is. An act of joy. What better why is there?
Here’s a little piece I created as well. I had a chop made – a Chinese seal carved from stone used to sign things, traditionally with a red paste as ink. My chop reads “Write Your Heart.”
And that’s part of my why as well.
So tell me – is joy enjoy of a reason why for you? Can you imagine a life where that’s the overarching reason for everything you do? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
JOY is the word I use most often! It is the perfect expression of my innermost authentic self. Even when the ego self must experience the dregs of everyday life, I can draw on the JOY that is abundant when I tune in. When you present your authentic self to the world as JOYFUL, or full of JOY, you truly can make a difference in the lives of those you come into contact with. And that is a reward that helps to make you whole. So, get out there and SPREAD JOY, for it will come back to you in abundance! Aloha…HAVE A MOST MEMORABLE WEEKEND!
Yes, yes, yes to showing up and spreading the joy Vicki! Wishing you a fabulous weekend as well.
Deborah, Joy is a big one for me. Love, Joy, Beauty, Grace, my favorite motivators/reasons. The writenergy class sounds wonderful. I am glad to hear that you found a voice you haven’t always had. It is the same for me, and a comfort to know what good company I am in!
I love your reasons/motivators Janet, and I’m so glad you’ve found your voice as well.
It makes me happy…joyful….enriched….all wonderful words that express my ‘why’ my reason to do what I do!
Great post….reminds us all to stop, take a breath, and ask “why”
Perfect Debbie!
Enjoyment is certainly a large part of why I read and share my thoughts with others. Getting to a place where that can be more of my motivation than “survive” is is why I work.
Both excellent whys Scott.
I loved this post. It is actually quite timely after spending the holiday weekend around two toddlers.
Their number one question, “Why?”
It is such joy to watch their little curious faces soak in the curiosity and joy as i searched for answers that resonated with them to answer the never-ending, “Why?” In a truthful manner.
Renae
Oh yes Renae – there’s so much magic in a child’s “why.” And I especially love when those questions open up for our own consideration how silly some of the things in our world are. Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend!
I seem to be asking the ‘why’ question a lot recently. As Buddhist psychology student, they tell as not ask it too much, just accept…but it is extremely difficult. Sonmetimes you just need an explanation in order to move on.
Like you Anna, sometimes I find asking and knowing the whys is more important than other times.
You make a very good point here. I think that I write for some of the same reasons: for many years, I did not know what my “thing” was that I am here to do. Over the last several years, it has become clear to me that much of what I am here for is to write. I will definitely miss reading your posts next month as I answer another “why”: WHY am I giving up Internet for a month? Answer: to discover what has been lost due to my obsession with all things online. Certainly your blog has been a part of that, but I will miss it next month!!!
Oh what a rich experiment Amy! I’ll really look forward to hearing how it goes. I’ll certainly miss your writing as well, but I know you’ll take so much from this experience and then unpack and help open it up for the rest of us. Have fun!
You said exactly what I would have liked to say about why I write, Deborah, thank you. A timely reminder. Loved the comments too –
It’s interesting to look at our whys sometimes isn’t it? Glad you stopped by Susan, and happy writing always.
Writing, for me, is like chasing the ball for a dog: pure, clean joy and exuberance. It wasn’t always this way. More and more, as I winnow my life to be exactly what I want it to be, I do my creative work just for pleasure. My big why in life? To love, and to feel, and to enjoy it all as much as possible. It’s my why with writing, painting, relating, dog-momming, and everything else, too.
Winnowing your life to be exactly what you want it to be is such a beautiful powerful thing Harmony. The perfect expression of creatorship, and I celebrate all the wonderful ways you demonstrate it.
This is beautiful, Deborah. For me, it’s just as Joan Didion said… I write to know what I think/how I feel. 🙂 It’s a discovery process.
And to know ourselves, deeply and fully, is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. So here’s to writing and discovering!