May 16, 2017

 

Note From Rochelle

 

Dear Readers,

 

I’m celebrating my birthday this week! I started the week by running in the Run Like a Mother 5K. I’ll also spend time visiting favorite art museums and gardens, making art, seeking beauty and inspiration. I’ll also take time off from work to vision and write about my future.

 

Today’s tip departs from my usual “here’s how” tip to share with you some of my birthday musings on purpose. As I reflect on my purpose in life, I’d like to offer you my time to talk about your purpose. Send me an email and we’ll set up a time to talk: rochelle@writenowcoach.com

 

Enjoy!

Rochelle

The Write Now! Coach

 

 

Musings on Purpose and Writing

by Rochelle Melander

 

As I celebrate my birthday, I’m thinking about how I live my life. Here are some of my thoughts—along with quotes that I’ve found helpful.

 

Getting lost is the first step in finding your purpose

When I feel alone and hopeless, I’m tempted to despair. But to find our purpose, we must leave our tribe and wander in the wilderness for a bit. If you are feeling like you don’t belong, experiencing loneliness, or wondering what’s next—jump for joy! Letting go of what does not work and wandering are the first steps in figuring out what does work!

 

“It is worse to stay where one does not belong at all than to wander about lost for a while and looking for the psychic and soulful kinship one requires” ―Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

 

 

Practice your purpose—today.

Our education system teaches us that we must learn and prepare before we do. This belief that we’re not ready prevents many of us from acting on our purpose. We study writing instead of writing. We review trends instead of launching a business. You can keep studying—but do not let preparing become your excuse for inaction. If you have a sense of what your purpose might be, take a tiny step toward it.

 

“What if the whole point of yoga wasn’t getting ready for the future, but was instead finding whatever pleasure we could in the present?” —Claire Dederer, Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses

 

Stop comparing yourself to others

 

You have your own path. Madeleine L’Engle said, “Comparisons are odious.” Comparisons steal our joy—and cause us to forget the treasures we’ve discovered by taking beautiful missteps and adventurous detours.

 

Constantly comparing ourselves to others sours and shortens our lives, robbing us of the very things we think it will bring: prosperity, love, inner peace, the knowledge that we’re good enough. —Martha Beck

 

 

 

Seek beauty

When we seek our purpose, we’ll feel some fear. Duh! We’re doing something big and wonderful! Of course we’re going to tremble a bit. We can quit or we can wade through the fear. When fear shows up, we can soothe ourselves by remembering our purpose and seeking beauty.

 

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” –Audre Lorde

 

“She began to feel the sense of wonderful elation that always came to her when beauty took hold of her and made her forget her fears.”― Madeleine L’Engle, And Both Were Young

 

Be persistent

I’ve been at this writing thing for more than 20 years, and I’ve still got mountains to tackle. But I’m still writing. What do you need to be persistent about? Make a vow and do it.

 

I was going to implement the Wombat Strategy. A wombat is unstoppable, once its mind is set on a goal. Just like that furry little tank, I’d set my course and I’d keep on keeping on. —Claire McNab, The Wombat Strategy

 

Do you need help finding or achieving your purpose? I can help! Contact me for a complimentary consultation: rochelle@writenowcoach.com

 

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author, a certified professional coach, and a popular speaker. Melander has written ten books including Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (And Live to Tell About It). As the Write Now! Coach, she teaches professionals how to write books fast, get published, and connect with readers through social media. Get your free subscription to her Write Now! Tips Ezine at https://www.writenowcoach.com.