Hey there , one of my very favorite things to do in the summer is to wake up with the sun . It feels like a lifetime ago now , when I preferred dusk to dawn like the night owl coming to life as the sun started to set . But these days , if I'm lucky , when I arrive downstairs I can manage to tiptoe past my sleeping fur babies without waking them . I quietly close the pocket door behind me and slip on what look like moon boots , perfect for the morning dew . The grass is always wet at this hour and I still have just a little fear that Gary the garter snake might be sunning on the step , and somehow my funny little boots make me feel just a little safer . On the crook of my left arm I sling a basket where I keep my glasses and a couple of books I'm reading , leaving my left hand free to hold my cup of green tea . I grab my baseball cap and sunglasses , open the door and , though I do this almost every summer morning when I step into the garden , it feels like it's the first time I breathe in the gratitude of living in such a beautiful , safe place . It's a sacred , solitary ritual communing with the lake and welcoming the day , and it's here that I draw wisdom not only from the infinite nature that's all around me , but also from the wonderful authors that I read . It's a place of wonder and delight on the outside and in . Learning is such an important part of my practice , and I often highlight passages that stand out or that I'd like to revisit . I even add the initials of clients or of people in my life who I think might really benefit from hearing some of these things .
Speaker 1This morning , while sitting on the dock in my usual spot for reflection and gratitude , it occurred to me that it was almost exactly a year ago that I published my own book . I devoted so much time to writing my little book and getting it world ready , but never once did it feel like work . In fact , sometimes I find myself missing the process . It felt good to complete it for sure . Well , at least deem it finished enough to share , because , well , let's face it , in creative
endeavors nothing is ever really done , is it Still ? When I go to bed at night and see it on my bedside table , I smile inside , not because I did it , but because I can go to sleep knowing that what I produced was an honest reflection of who I am Honest , imperfect and unafraid of open-ended answers .
Speaker 1I sipped my green tea and looked at the books in my basket , both of which were well-worn , earmarked , initialed and underscored with yellow highlights . Like most of the books I read , these have been taken on and off the shelf and offered fresh perspectives each and every time I pick them up to reference or read again . I thought about the term shelf life life , which means the length of time for which an item remains usable , fit for consumption or saleable . One year ago , when my book was just released , I felt energized and excited about getting it out into the world , but these days , the only story I'm creating is the one in my head . These days , the only story I'm creating is the one in my head , the one that's telling me the momentum for my book is gone . But when the moment has passed , is it too late to celebrate and elevate ? It ?
Is forward motion always linear , like the books in my basket . The value of my own book has not changed . So why , then , have I stopped promoting the work that I shared into the world one year ago ? Do I believe that it's run out of gas because it isn't good enough ? Have I moved on because I believe the shine has faded .
Speaker 1Hmm , I started to think about all the people who have read my book and shared their responses . I thought even more about all the folks who haven't had the chance to read it because , well , they don't even know it exists . Like my morning ritual , writing a book or creating art of any kind is a sacred , solitary act and it's vulnerable . But unless shared , couldn't that actually be considered selfish ? If I'm worrying about what you think about me and my work , well , that's ego , isn't it ? Do I want to go to sleep at night knowing that my fear of what others think is preventing me from honoring
my value to share , that my fear of what others think is preventing me from honoring my value to share ?
Speaker 1Am I holding back by not sharing the beautiful words that readers have offered me , words that might invite new readers in ? Why do I hesitate to highlight those voices when I so readily share the passages that move me in other books ? You know I can't control whether or not you like me or my book or anything that I say or create , but I can draw awareness around what I've done and what I want to share and I can make a wholehearted offering to you that is aligned with my values , an open invitation for you to decide , because I've decided there is no shelf life for insight . I'm Lisa Hopkins . Thanks so much for listening . Stay safe and healthy , everyone , and remember to live in the moment .