a note from Erin:
My beloved friend and co-conspirator, the lovely Nan Seymour, shared a story with me last year when we were talking about the creative process.
She shared a story of a college pottery class. Here’s my imperfect retelling:
The professor divided the class into two groups. Each group got 50 pounds of clay.
To one group he said, “To receive high marks in the class, simply use all this clay. You’ll get high marks if you make many pots, be they lovely or imperfect, but you just need to use all 50 pounds of clay. Go.”
To the other half of the class he said, “To get high marks, you just need to make me one perfect pot. You don’t need to use all 50 pounds of clay, just turn in your one best piece. Go.”
Can you guess what happened?
The group who used all 50 pounds of clay, with permission to be imperfect and experiment, ended up making some really excellent pots. The group with the instruction to make one perfect pot? They floundered. It became paralyzing to have to make ONE perfect pot. Their pots looked worse than the ones who threw LOTS of pots.
Nan and I often talk about writing. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that my writing lives much larger in my mind than anywhere else.
The second place it lives is in my journal, in rather messy handwriting, which no one else will ever see. And all the while my generous muse keeps visiting, filling me with SO much inspiration. In the back of my journal and on my desktop computer are lists of “I want to write about___.” In the shower inspiration strikes and I think, “Oh, I should write about that!” Carl and I start having one of our many juicy and inspired conversations about our work and I say, “Oh! We should really write about that!” I add the topic to that list in the back of my journal. Occasionally I make the time to bring it into the world and share it. But not often enough.
Can I tell you what? I’m so damn sick of hearing myself say “I should write about that!”
I’m telling you. Sick. Of. It.
And so….I shared my commitment with Carl, yesterday. Then this morning I shared it with Nan. Now I’m sharing publicly with you:
I am committing to using 50 pounds of clay by the end of the year. Specifically, I’m committing to pressing “publish” on my blog 50 times before the calendar turns to 2017. (Scary!) 50 new pieces. Likely many pieces will be short. Certainly imperfect. But they really want to come into being. The inspiration is flowing like water from a bubbling spring. I have SO much more I want to share. And so, even though I’m afraid it won’t be as good as I’d like, and even though I don’t think I have enough time, I’m going to do it anyway. I don’t want to die with all this in me.
“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.” So says the Gospel of Thomas. It feels true to me. And so I must.
Writing (and sharing!) more is going to be my 50 pounds of clay. Even if it’s bad. I’ve committed.
How about you?
What are your 50 pounds of clay?
Is there some area of life where you’re waiting to make “one perfect pot?”
What is within you wanting to be brought forth?
To save you? Even if it terrifies you just a bit to consider it?
If you want to join me, be brave, and declare your 50 pounds of clay, I’d love to hear. Send me an email!
Please know I’m rooting for you. For us.
I know in my bones that the world needs the gifts that only you can bring. Bring it, baby!
xo
Erin
My guys, fishing at Cape Cod a few days ago. It really is that beautiful!
p.s. This Sunday, Sept. 11th, we are happy to host a special morning sitting meditation for World Peace and Social Justice. You’re invited to join us.
We’re joining others in our international community to hold this intention for peace as we sit, with grounded bodies, open hearts, and clear minds. It feels fitting to begin this practice (which we’ll be offering more of in the future) on Sunday, September 11th, a day many of us associate with memories of tragedy and violence. We’ll sit together, practicing inner disarmament through bravely befriending our own inner world, dedicating our practice to peace in the larger world. Please consider joining us! Come for some or come for all. There is no charge to attend. Schedule is below:
7am-7:25am sitting meditation
7:25-7:35am walking meditation
7:35-7:45am movement break
7:45-8:10am sitting meditation
8:10-8:30am readings, dedication, sharing
8:30-9am break (you can stay for tea or go)
9am-9:25am sitting meditation
9:25-9:35am walking meditation
9:35-9:45am movement break
9:45-10:10am sitting meditation
10:10-10:30am readings, dedication, sharing
Please email me if you would like to join us and I’ll give you directions to the studio behind our home.
Good times to arrive and join are just before 7am, just before 7:45am, just before 9am, and just before 9:45am. If you arrive a few minutes early it will allow you to get settled in your seat. We’ll be ringing the bell to begin right at those times. (7, 7:45, 9, 9:45.)
We have some cushions, blankets, stools and chairs for you to use, but if you have a cushion you love, feel free to bring it.
Do you think living into this question, on the cushion and/or off, might contribute to world peace?
I do.
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