A Few Simple Steps

Have you ever watched people as they walk? Everyone has their own stride. There are those who walk straight, fast, and get the job done with little interference from what is going on around them. Others stop to look at birds, geese, and leaves. Our stories unfold as we observe, interpret, and describe our lives. Most of us have a process we go through before going on a walk whether we are walking alone, with children, or pets. I usually collect my keys, phone, sunglasses, and iPod, put on my walking shoes, and lock up the house. I just do it. I don't necessarily think of it as my "process" for taking a walk. In the same way as I started writing articles, blogs, and stories, I didn't think about the process I was going through. In fact, my methods were quite haphazard at times. Now I realize there is a method to the madness, and I am following a few simple steps to get a book written. You can follow my process and find information and links on writing and publishing on my writing blog at: www.yourlifeinwords.blogspot.com.

As I look back at my walking journal, I can see my writing improve. I find it very exciting to spark my senses, find joy everyday, and write about what I see and feel. We each have a different style of walking, writing, and processing. That's what makes life so interesting!

20 minutes walking

106 days

Beginning

The conversation began with a little catching up. The usual how are you and what have you been doing. One thing led to another and we were talking about 3 years ago, and then careers, family and youth. Lunch with a trusted friend can stir up ideas, thoughts, and memories. Much of our thoughts and conversation bounces around from present, to past, and then future. We even got into a discussion about time and space and too many prepositions. Our lives become fluid and transparent as we share our stories. Where do we begin?

As I walk through the park and look at the geese that come to the park every year, I wonder if this is where they start. Is this their home? Then do they go away and come back or is this a resting place from their home? Maybe there is no beginning. Maybe they flow with the seasons.

I got stuck working on my book. I was struggling to put the puzzle together, but the pieces didn’t seem to fit. I tried to force it and got little done. Then I realized I don’t have to start at the beginning. I can let the project flow from the bigger picture to smaller, or from a single idea to something much bigger. Maybe my idea starts somewhere in the middle and flows back and forth from there. I am used to feeling the need for a linear progression. It was very freeing to realize I can start where I am right now and flow back and forth to where it takes me. You don’t have to start at the beginning. The beginning is artificially created. In your story or project, you can choose and change as you work through the process.

30 minutes walking

Last Year's Seeds

This year we planted seeds that were left over from our planting last year. Some of the plants were hardy enough to produce, but many of the vegetables were not as robust this year. I realized that lately I have been planting old seeds in my work. In organizing the material I have written over the last five years, I have been capturing work from the past. That is fine, but it is getting dry and lacking flavor. In looking through my writing, I realized that through practice and experience, I have grown and blossomed over the last few years.

After watering the vegetables, and seeing how old seeds often give root to limp vegetables, I can see that holding onto last year’s writing, thoughts, and ideas without letting them grow is creating pithy results.

Yesterday I just started writing to see how it would grow and develop. I liked it! It was fresh and fun. Then I added some of the old material that has been tested successfully. Whether in writing, business, or relationships, it’s healthy to bring in new growth and test the current. Using past experience we often feel like we know what works and what doesn’t. Let’s stick with what is safe. What we know. I’ve found that I can take what I know from the past and grow out of that into something fresh and unique.

Walking outdoors reminds me that things change. The sky may have dark clouds in the morning and warm sunshine a few minutes later. I hang pictures on my wall to capture moments in time, I buy solid furniture that stays in one place, but when I go outdoors I see the evolution (patterns of movement) of space, sound, color, and air flow.

30 minutes walking

Self-Expression

Writing and walking everyday is helping me with my self-expression and creativity, It was difficult at first to write quickly, produce something everyday, and get it out there quickly. I prefer to have time to think about things. But I sometimes think too long rather than taking a chance, relying on my intuition, and just seeing what happens.

I find it even more difficult to talk off-the-cuff so to speak. I prefer a class or presentation that I can prepare for. It's even more difficult to talk about things that are personal or really important to me. Today I was listening to a Careerwell Tele-Interview with career expert H.B. Gelatt discussing his "Process of Illumination." Dr. Gelatt discussed his use of analogies in presentations and classes and asked participants to share their favorite analogies. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to mention the vegetable analogy I have been working on. I am in the process of organizing this analogy into a book, and felt like it was important to be able to say something briefly about it. I didn't feel comfortable coming up with a brief description of my analogy. My description wasn't adequate, and I wasn't comfortable saying it, but I took a chance and expressed myself.

The more I  talk about my profession, my business, and my writing, the more I challenge myself to be better and motivate myself to get the work done. Walking and talking is an opportunity to improve communication skills while sharing ideas, business concepts, and personal strengths. Contact Nancy to set up a Walk About U! All it takes is a cell phone and a good pair of shoes to have a conversation that is all about you.

30 minutes walking