Did a rallying cry for a political campaign reveal a new way to tell my story?
At the end of July, I began to work with a writing coach in an effort to get unstuck from the dark place I always landed when writing about my life; a place that never had an ending, only deflating exasperation, embarrassment and ennui.
From the little understanding I have about Saundra’s approach (and not understanding appears to be key), this approach is based on tapping into NEW energy. I learned from Saundra (did I learn ANYthing in high school physics?) that the universe is 96% energy, including me. So there’s plenty of energy to tap into . . . however, like the “Wizard of Oz” witches, energy can be bad or good. Saundra, quoting Albert Einstein, says, “You can’t solve a problem using the same energy with which it was created.”
In the past, my writing energy was profoundly reactive, meaning in simple electrical terms, it was energy that comfortably moved back and forth within a circuit. Think of it as non-working power. Excessive reactive power can lead to a voltage collapse which can cause power outages and blackouts.
In the past, the energy I used to tell my story was primarily reactive — in response to an overbearing mother who resolutely silenced my voice. To express myself, I resorted to basic writing rules and/or imitated the voice of a favorite author or writing instructor at that time. This kept my voice stuck in the same dark circuit.
Active energy, on the other hand, unlike reactive energy, is real or true power and does not change direction. Let’s make this REALLY simple. Pour yourself a beer.
See that foam on the top? That is useless reactive power AKA MOTHER. See the actual beer? Positive active power AKA ME. This image indicates that combining reactive and active power produces apparent power (see far left). Not to worry, I looked up the meaning: “Apparent power is a measure of alternating current (AC) power that is computed by multiplying the root-mean-square (rms) current by the root-mean-square voltage.” Precisely what I thought.
To fuel active power, I continue to greet sunrises, read poetry, occasionally meditate and daily play a crystal Tibetan singing bowl that I purchased in August 2013 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but had been using to store winter hats and gloves. (Yes, I’m hanging my head low for a second or two.)
This bowl is attuned to the heart chakra — the fourth primary chakra also known as “Anahata,” which is English for “unstuck.” I can’t make up this stuff. When I play it, it emits a tremendous vibrating sound that, well, appropriately pierces my heart and can be heard from the street. But get this — the sound does not disturb my cat, Jem, who may be a Buddha, but perhaps Haitian cat.
So in the spirit of Harris/Walz, that’s my new writing way forward! Yes, beloveds, it is time to turn the page . . . we’re not going back, because when WE WRITE, WE WIN!
All apologies to readers who thought that I was going to wax eloquent about the Harris/Walz campaign. If you know me, you know which political campaign I am supporting. I am a childless cat lady, for heaven’s sake.
Reading over this, I began to wonder if too many metaphors for this new writing approach are battling each other. But I don’t think so. Previously, in a comment for another post, I shared that this new approach was “lighter,” meaning that it would fuel writing that was more light-hearted and not so heavy-handed, i.e., laden with assigning blame to obfuscate shame.
Well, duh. There’s that light and dark thing again.
Sharon thanks for this post. You not only write about writing. You write about life. This post is great stuff. I will re-read. You are grappling with life, being human, and mystery. Bravo!!
You are sooooo welcome, Charlotte, you, who have been praying for me and my story for decades. xoxo
“Photographed on, but never played while in bed.”
Kelly, I believe that you are commenting on my innate wisdom NOT to play this Tibetan singing bowl while in bed because — how can I say this delicately? — the vibrations just might resurrect my estrogen.
Thank you for reading these posts, by the way. You don’t always comment, but every time I post, I picture you reading them at Starbucks while sipping a venti pumpkin spice latte with eight shots of espresso, seven pumps of pumpkin sauce, and one pump of maple pecan sauce.
Sharon, I think you and Saundra are truly on to something here. As I’ve read this and other recent posts, I feel that I’m hearing YOU, the you that continues to emerge as a person with many often-conflicting currents in your life, and well on your way to integrating these currents and knowing/accepting ALL of who you are and who you are still becoming. Keep writing. Keep winning!
Carol — I believe that Saundra and I are on to something as well. She reads these posts — and the comments — so your comment will affirm her as well.
I appreciate your use of the verb, “integrate” because corralling all of these currents (and I appreciate the electrical reference) will be quite a challenge. Continue to beer, er, bear with me, as you have for decades. You probably didn’t notice that the writing blessing you wrote for me is behind the Sierra Nevada in the last photo!
Sorry to be slow to the dance. I’ve been reflecting on your blog history. Once upon a time there was Sassistas and it was mostly a wild romp, filled with sass and humor in my memory. My guess is that it was fueled with active power. Then life happened, things changed, and now they are changing again. The tools you are using with Saundra, seem to be useful and valuable. I appreciate the graphic and the explanation. Here’s to new energy!
Thank you, dear Beth, who embodies active energy you can see from the air. Also, please don’t apologize for being “slow to the dance.” It’s taken me nearly four decades to tell my story. Who is the one being slow to the dance?
In any event — ALWAYS — thanks for being my dance partner.