This morning I asked my muse–my inner creative being–how he wanted me to start my day. He suggested a walk along Newport’s Cliff Walk. Even before I got there, as I drove across the Narragansett Bay, along the Newport Bridge, I received clarity about a client’s project. Seems I ‘d been approaching it from the wrong angle.
On the walk, I received several ideas for blogs and articles, and I felt much more connected to my creativity. As I heard the waves crash along the cliffs and got sprayed from below, I felt energized by the exercise and endorphins.
I returned home and coached a client through several challenges, helping her trust her inner guidance when it told her something different from what we both expected. My time in nature made it easy to listen, support and trust.
When I turned to the writing project I had literally put off for months, I completed the dreaded project in a mere two and a half hours. When I think of the hours I spent worrying about the project, I wish I’d just gone for a seaside jaunt the last time I tried to work on it.
It’s tempting to start out in business mode–beginning my morning by answering e-mails, editing someone’s book chapters or making phone calls, but my days are often more productive (and synchronistic) when I start out on the beach.
This Saturday, I attended a Hay House event in Boston where Cheryl Richardson asked for volunteers who wanted laser coaching. I shot up to the microphone and shared my challenge–overworking.
As Cheryl coached me, it became clear I needed to spend time in nature every day and I made the commitment to do that for the next 30 days. Sunday, during gale force winds, I climbed to the top of the rocks on Whale Rock Point in Narragansett and watched the waves crash against the granite cliffs. My pants got soaked, but I stayed out there for a good 15 minutes climbing on the rocks and singing. It felt good and powerful to keep my commitment despite the weather.
Today, I got how everything works better when I start with nature–my writing, my business, my flow of money, my coaching. I’ve scheduled my walk in for the rest of the week. How about you?
Lisa, You’ve inspired me! This post was beautiful. I too, start most days in business mode- and before I know it, I’ve been sucked in, and the day is almost gone!!!
It’s been interesting. Today I did my walk but later in the day and work (and writing) went much less smoothly than when I started out the day with a walk. Tomorrow, my walk comes first.
This is so true. Nothing inspires and restores like Mother Nature. The fall leaves are at their peak where I live, it’s providing a symphony of soul-healing.