Playing Catch Up - Friday's Blog! Ch 3 pg 113-118

Friday, Ch 3

"When we chronically act in self defeating ways, when we stumble over stupidities that are only partially visible, we cannot improve our confidence and self-esteem"

I think relating sociological concepts to understand writing blocks was really helpful. It's really simple to identify what self-defeating behaviors apply to each of us. Or at least it was for me! Maybe because I have so many...don't we all? We're human, after all.

I think such a remarkable part of developing mindful writing practices is the honesty you learn to channel within yourself. Awareness allows you to really dig into the depth of your words. Or, show you that...you don't have much depth at all. Maybe everything you've just written is a product of various writing blocks. Maybe you thought it was a masterpiece until you embraced a certain level of consciousness. Or maybe, just maybe, it IS a masterpiece! Point being, study of personal self-defeating behaviors enables you to understand the difference.

My writing has steadily improved, or so I would like to think, and I know that appreciating my flaws was essential throughout this process. That's another point I wanted to make - learning to appreciate your flaws. It's similar to strengthening your meditation technique. The goal of meditation isn't necessarily to clear your mind. You still notice sounds. You still feel vibrations from the floor. You might have just remembered that you left your front door unlocked, before Donna reminds you to return to the breath. This doesn't mean you're a failure at meditating. It means that you're human. The same rules apply for self-defeating behaviors. You still doubt yourself at times. You still dwell over insignificant details. You might undermine your writing capabilities completely, just because of one measly sentence, before you remind yourself to take a break and give yourself some credit for what you've completed so far. This doesn't mean you're a failure at writing. It means that you're human.

I would agree that most self-inflicted mind states that are less than positive affect almost every activity we do on a regular basis. Writing is no different. Our shortcomings manifest themselves into our words. Once you notice that you're doing it....I mean, once you really notice it, you feel completely inadequate for not recognizing it earlier! So, something I took away from this section which wasn't outwardly stated....is, embrace the fact that you're human. Acknowledge your imperfections. IT'S OKAY.


I don't know if that made any sense at all. But forgive me, because I'm human.