Getting to Know You


Do you remember Deborah Kerr singing these lyrics in The King and I?

Getting to know you

Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me

Getting to know you
Putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely
My cup of tea

Since I was 12 years old, I knew I wanted to be a writer. And I’ve been writing most days since that time, getting to know myself and my world. A lot of months or years what I wrote was in my journal and timed writing practice. There have been novels, novellas, poetry, songs, skits, blogs, and non-fiction books on mindfulness and writing. A lot of variety because I have a lot of interests!

All of this writing was different in some way from the last thing I wrote but I found when I looked at them as a whole, there was this intersection of the corners of my life.

For the past few years, I struggled with two seemingly different courses for my life – fiction author and mindfulness guide. There was a lot to unpack about both of those. What I finally realized was the intersection between them. At the core is my belief in the power of language and communication – to help ourselves, others, and to be in this world in a way that’s meaningful to us. Then there’s that space when language falls away and silence is a gift. Sometimes what’s most meaningful is entertainment after a hard day at work. Sometimes, it is sitting down and just being. I found I could play with both and really enjoy all of it.

I’ve spent my life doing two things. Writing is numero uno. Meditation and contemplation are the other side of my equation.

Curiosity is my middle name. Inside of me is this powerful love of learning new things. From the time I was a kid, I wanted all the answers – right now. I spent my childhood in stacks of World Book Encyclopedias. My mom was constantly telling me to put them away but I couldn’t. I wasn’t done with them and they weren’t done with me. Child of the 80s, pre-internet.

What I didn’t realize was the wisdom I already had. And the bravery. I found some ways that help me uncover both of these.

I write to play, explore and understand. Same for meditation and mindfulness. It’s all basically a big experiment and a way to share it!

For the longest time, I’ve wanted to change my direction regarding work to take the big, scary leap into living a life relying on my creativity and curiosity – whether it was writing fiction or non-fiction that helps people with their journey.

There’s been a boatload of fear and uncertainty about pursuing my true life. This past year especially has been me staring down those dark shadows and seeing through them. Do you remember the Christmas movie where they sing, “Put one foot in front of the other… and soon you’ll be walking out the door?” Yeah, that’s been this year.

I had to get square on where money, time and work play into my vision for my life. Purpose and passion had to get real– and real practical.

So, it’s been a journey. I’m sharing it in my new book which will be coming out in the spring called Lifelihood: Journal Your Way to a Happy, Simple, and Authentic Life.

Lifelihood came out of the idea that life is more than the work we do, more than our livelihood. It’s the whole shebang – and to think we can make a big life choice without considering how the other parts of our life connect usually ends us up right back at the drawing board.

I was tired of chasing. I just wanted to be. So, it’s about the journey we all must take in order to live our fullest life. This is the material I’ve been living with for the past four years. If you are going through this struggle, the course will give you tools, support, and focus. I spent 2017 creating the material in this course and can’t wait to share it with you!

Why wish for change when you have the ability to make the change?

I simplified my life in so many ways, got focused on who I was, why I wanted a change and how to make it happen. The key thing I learned was to stop being so hard on myself. I experienced extending kindness to myself.

Gentleness has been the biggest “a-ha” for me on this journey. The other is to stop resisting uncertainty. Big questions take bravery. Luckily, I believe we all have that capacity!

I’ll be sharing more about it over the next few weeks. in the meantime, be sure to sign up for the 5-Day Mindfulness Challenge. It’s easy, fun, and will tickle your curiosity!

Until next time, be well.

Andrea

I'm ready!

Take me to my happy place!

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