It may appear that I’m neglecting this blog, not having posted for a few weeks.
Our world is filled with voices scrambling to be heard. Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Linked In, television, magazines, websites, billboards, …
Participating in this level of noise through blogging sometimes feels like a dis-ease.
Publishers and publicists and friends assure me that posting every few days is necessary to build an audience, which is necessary to “get the message out there.” I have a little different way of thinking about that.
I believe that adding my voice to the mass of voices is only of value if I do it because it’s fun (a broad category, I admit), not because I’m trying to catch people’s attention through dogging their attention. I believe the people who need the information in my book will find it, and relatedly that the public exposure opportunities that the book needs will make themselves evident by sounding interesting and/or fun for me.
And I believe the things that I’ve said in my book: that I set my intention through thought and intention, then let go. I don’t have to dog it or manipulate an audience, I hope. Call it an experiment in application.
Silence is one of the beauties of life. Waiting, anticipation, sitting quietly for so long that we lose the hunger and surrender to the moment, the now, the humble present here right now … the soft cool breeze, the scent of creosote, crickets singing, dogs barking far off down the valley. This night is breathing.
If I’m trying to cram fifteen tasks into a day, I will begin to lose my balance. If I try to post X number of profound thoughts or observations each week, am I being true or just chattering? Silence is sometimes necessary to quiet the mind, open the flow of creative thought, and ground myself here in the rich and mystifying physical world.
The regular posts will probably start up again eventually … And fade off again, and reappear. Even blogs have a rhythm and seasons, perhaps.
Thank you for finding this blog worth reading among all the choices that you have available … I hope you’ll enjoy the silence as much as you do the posts; I do.
A little zen.
truly…. Natalie.. as in music a dance with notes and pauses…:) or a meditation embelilshed by a birds song..or..?.. we listen in many ways…
Yay! Well said. I seem to also be in a period of silence, so this is doubly reassuring.
Excellent! Better that things flow forth naturally as they will, than be forced. Thanks.
Hello silence, my old friend…
Letting go of the sense of urgency to “reach the audience” or of the need to build one, is a wise course toward greater peace of mind. A frequent thought I have on the forums I take part in is that whoever is supposed to read what anyone writes, myself included, will eventually find it. There’s no pressure and its sometimes a surprise to see someone responding to a post made, possibly, years ago. Enjoy the quiet….
Right on Natalie! This rings true for me. I can’t see you doing things any other way, knowing what we know of you from your writing.
I feel that accordion rhythm in many different things (my interests, hobbies, even relationships) and I find if I stay true to following what feels right, then things fall into place.
If I stay engaged when I’m not really engaged then that loss of authenticity defeats the purpose of doing whatever it is in the first place.
Not sure if that makes sense, but let’s just say, “I can relate.”
And just for the record, I look forward to reading your posts as often as they appear! Love ’em. Love the spirit of them.
I’m a happy person in general, but you’ve really brought a new level of joy to me because of the revelations I’ve had about life truly being a continuum. It makes sense to me that we are here to love, create, and enjoy it all. That’s been my takeaway.
thanks! And please keep writing, no matter how infrequent it is!!
Thanks Kris 🙂 And thanks everyone for sharing my silence … (ah)