This is an article that I wrote for my Marketing Blog. I think that the subject matter works well here as it demonstrates how we can apply our meditation and mindfulness practices to our everyday lives. Cheers!
I’m a greedy writer. I write nearly every day. I write in my journal with a pen (gasp!) or on the computer. I write for myself, my meditation students, my copywriting clients, and their clients. I write and I love it.
But most of the writing that I do for myself, including my business blog, I don’t publish (double gasp!).
I wasn’t aware that I was a greedy writer until I made an accountability promise to myself…
…that I would publish two articles a week, in addition to the articles I source and share with my clients and friends.
True to my word, I wrote my first article on a Monday with the intention of publishing it on my blog on Tuesday. However when Tuesday came, and it was time to upload it, I just froze.
I didn’t want to let the article go. Not because I thought it was horrible or particularly brilliant.
I couldn’t let it go because an article, even if it’s just an article about copywriting, is a part of me. It’s as if every word I put down carries with it a part of my spirit; like I’m imprinting myself on the page with every l-e-t-t-e-r I type on the screen.
When I’m not writing or mothering, I’m teaching meditation and mindfulness practices. Through self-observation I recognized that what I was feeling wasn’t the result of some kind of creative tantrum, what I was feeling and giving into is what we meditators call “attachment.”
The writing I do for my clients isn’t about me, it’s all about them, and it’s easy to let it go. But the writing I do for myself is all about me.
Here’s how attachment works: I’m on my blog, ready to upload my article, and my mind says, “What if people don’t like what I wrote? What if they think it’s stupid?” Ergo, “What if people don’t like me? What if they think I’m stupid?”
The problem with “attachments” is that they get in the way of joy and freedom. “Attachments” are psychic traps.
Popular business coach Fabienne Fredrickson says that our talents are like delicious brownies that we have a duty to share. If you’re not sharing then you’re being greedy.
Are you a greedy writer? Are you keeping your goods to yourself?
I’d love to hear from you.
Photo Credit: Evan Kirby