All posts tagged: daily writing

The Zen of Writing (A Haibun)

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I wake up to the sound of a voice in my head and I know instantly that it is “writing” what could be an introduction to a book. I listen intently as the voice “writes.” When it is over, I hear a familiar tune – a lone olive-backed sunbird is singing in the backyard. I smile and say to myself, “And then the sunbird sings…” Darkness still covers everything outside and inside the house. But within me, a veil is lifting. the sparrows and fantails are nowhere, their merry chatter a mere memory now the sunbird sings Our mornings are so different now. For almost eight months during the year, the backyard becomes a favorite meeting place for the Eurasian tree sparrows. From November to June, they are there tweeting, chirping. The birds converge while it is still dark and begin to chatter. By seven, just as we are preparing breakfast, they are gone. The monsoon rains are here and the sparrows no longer come. The sunbirds and the yellow-vented bulbuls have the backyard all …

Showing Up

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Everyday, I show up at my writing desk early in the morning and before going to sleep. I used to do this in the past  because successful writers advice us to do it. But when it started to feel like an obligation and responsibility, I used my work load as an excuse to quit, and then I went back to my old habit of writing whenever I could find the time during the day. But I missed showing up at specific times of the day at my writing desk. Slowly I went back to the practice – but not because I want to become a successful writer. I picked up the habit again because I love to write; and it feels good to give time and importance to my writing practice. These days, I show up at my writing desk twice a day because it has become a ritual that lends color, texture and meaning to my days. Those two occasions during the day are some of the happiest and  most meaningful moments  of my waking hours. There …

Writing as Spiritual Practice

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. Writing and spirituality overlap in my life, and sometimes they feel like the same thing. Although I bought a lot of books on writing over the past few years to augment what I considered to be a dearth of writing know-how in creative non-fiction, lately I have been drawn to books on how writing can be used as spiritual practice. I have been able to create more writing time because I now consider writing as one of my daily spiritual practices. This has made a huge difference in my attitude toward my writing life. I have dropped all writing goals. I write simply because it feeds my soul, and when my soul is not hungry, I am happy. The thought of writing early in the morning makes me want to go to sleep early and wake up earlier than usual. When you see your writing as more than a hobby, profession, or craft – as a profound expression of yourself – you have no choice but to write with utter conviction and authenticity. The deepest …

Back on Track

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  After beginning a new habit of early morning writing in the third quarter of 2014, the habit fizzled out early this year – after almost six months. A busy work schedule made it necessary to give up the writing habit. Ironically, it was my commitment to blog daily that kept me thinking often of that fulfilling habit. I didn’t force myself, but I knew in time I would get right back on track. And I am. I started slowly, first squeezing in five to ten minutes of writing before I began my day. Then gradually I found more and more time and now, I am back, writing in my journals ( I have several ), writing poetry, and prose poetry. On some days, when there’s more time, I also do some sketches with colored pencils and markers. It feels great to be back on track. Once again, writing ideas flow and I look forward to getting up each morning to do word play. Life is good. Photo credit: Morguefile

Finding My Own Rhythm

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I work on weekends and today was my day off! I spent much time pondering upon yesterday’s post on early morning writing, and my failed attempts at it. I opened up to a dialogue and it helped a lot – it always helps to clarify persistent issues. From the dialogue with the Self, I realized that I was being too “left brained” about the whole issue. This much I would say, though. All those times that I was consistently doing early morning writing, I tell you, the writing ideas literally flowed…sometimes it was a deluge. Looking back now, that’s one of the reasons why I kept at it and tried to get back to it after backsliding. But it’s time to get real. Five days a week I come home late – sometimes after 9 p.m. from my therapy sessions. I usually start sessions at noon and some days I begin at 3 p.m. I have to meet my clients halfway – many of them work too, so my work schedule is far from regular. Aside from …

Establishing a Daily Writing Routine

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I’ve been blogging about my on and off romance with early morning writing for sometime now. Every time I think I’ve established the daily routine and raise both arms in triumphant celebration, something just pops in my brain and pretty soon I’m not doing early morning writing again. I think that on an unconscious level, this is why I committed to daily blogging this year. It’s a public commitment that would not be so hard to put off. So far I’ve been consistently posting everyday – including Monday reblogs – which equates to time off for good behavior during the past week. I write and post my blogs whenever I have the time. But it hasn’t been an antidote for my failed attempts to keep a daily early morning date with the Muse. But the commitment to blog daily at least forces me to write everyday. I know the reason is neither laziness nor procrastination. Ok, so now I’m giving myself a nice excuse, because according to neuroscience, research indicates that creative personality types and habit/routine simply don’t go together. …