Almost simultaneously I embarked on my second year of FAWM, February Album Writing Month, which is a challenge to write 14 songs in the 28 days of February. As of this posting I'm off pace with only 4 songs done in 12 days. I've been stopped by the demands of living, the need to slow down, and the realization during a cellular expansion sessions that my heart energy isn't moving.
Enter the book.
When we let go of our desire to be clever or successful or to create beautiful things, we may be open to the sacred truth of our experience as it is, not how we want it to be.
I've been wondering how to activate my heart, because it bothers me that my heart energy is still, right at the point where I hope to be steadily creative. The author refers to the Beginner's Mind and Heart as the starting point, We begin again.
The first week of the 12-week journey is about establishing a creative, contemplative practice. AThomas Merton quote starts the text, "To be born again is not to become somebody else, but to become ourselves."
As someone who has always felt like I'm starting over, or relearning what I used to know, it's nice to feel as if that is a human experience and recognized sacred rite of passage. So, here I am being born again, and again.
I hope that means more songs this month, and a really beautifully performed show this Friday with my band, but I know I must let go of expectation and just be the child. Let the process change me.
