The soul is a deep place from which the writer draws creative work, tapping into memories and experiences, bringing to the surface truths known and sometimes unknown to the writer. “You will write things you do not know…” (Vinita Hampton Wright)
The soul requires care-full attention and nurture. Sarah Bessey articulated the difference between self-comfort and self-care. Although Facebook scrolling, Netflix binging, or carb consumption may offer instantaneous gratification or numbing pain relief, I need to move toward soul CARE if I hope to write with a clear voice from a deep place. For most people, self-care probably includes adequate sleep, wholesome food, physical exercise, and community. I think of these pieces as caring for the structure of the well, making sure the mortar is intact, taking care that the rocks aren’t crumbling, securing strong walls within which the soul finds its spiritual home.
The soul requires care-full attention and nurture. Sarah Bessey articulated the difference between self-comfort and self-care. Although Facebook scrolling, Netflix binging, or carb consumption may offer instantaneous gratification or numbing pain relief, I need to move toward soul CARE if I hope to write with a clear voice from a deep place. For most people, self-care probably includes adequate sleep, wholesome food, physical exercise, and community. I think of these pieces as caring for the structure of the well, making sure the mortar is intact, taking care that the rocks aren’t crumbling, securing strong walls within which the soul finds its spiritual home.
But how to fill the well? That’s a different question…which every writer (every person, I think!) must find a way to answer for themselves. Vinita Hampton Wright (imagine, an editor with the last name of Wright…) suggested looking for whatever fills one with wonder, with joy. Bessey’s directive was similar – What clears the mind and fills the soul? This list would be as vast and varied as the mind of its creator! Kayaking, organizing the spice rack, laughing hard with a friend, visiting an art gallery, participating in liturgical prayer, serving others…
What fills you with joy? What clears your mind?
Looking at the world through the lens of a camera serves this purpose for me. Just holding my fingers up to my eye and imagining what a particular setting would look like through my view finder delights me, and I’d done that a few times throughout the week, but always I hurried to the next workshop or meal. These too were caring for and filling my soul. But still…I needed the camera perspective.
So, when the Conference ended on Friday, I lingered a little longer, I walked a little slower among the deeply rooted ancient trees and the solid, centuries old buildings. As I looked through the camera, I was reminded of the many ways my soul’s well had been cared for and replenished in the past few days.
So, when the Conference ended on Friday, I lingered a little longer, I walked a little slower among the deeply rooted ancient trees and the solid, centuries old buildings. As I looked through the camera, I was reminded of the many ways my soul’s well had been cared for and replenished in the past few days.
Learning fills my soul. Stuart Hall, where the workshops happened, sported a strategically placed cloud one afternoon.
This wasn't the chapel, but it was a holy place for me.
This wasn't the chapel, but it was a holy place for me.
Natural beauty fills my soul. Color. Contrast. So much beauty all around us. And what kind of dogwood is still blooming in June? Oh, Kousa dogwood, not the same as the flowering dogwood that emerges on the mountain in early spring! Thank you Google. And, I repeat, learning fills my soul.
Worship fills my soul. These pipes, beautiful even when silent, gave my heart a conduit through which to overflow. (And the chapel acoustics were superb.)
Friendship fills my soul. How grateful I am to have had a friend who shared this week with me! We might have looked like we knew what we were doing at the Workshop, (Phyllis walks so purposefully!) but actually getting to the venue (Every day! And back to the hotel. Every night!) took teamwork. Until now, I had not met someone who is just as directionally challenged as I am! Until now! We laughed. A lot.
One night, a fox darted across the lonely road in front of us. Where exactly were we? This was when we realized that neither of us could be trusted even with Google maps and GPS.
One night, a fox darted across the lonely road in front of us. Where exactly were we? This was when we realized that neither of us could be trusted even with Google maps and GPS.
Sunsets fill my soul. Don't get me wrong, a lovely sunrise can give me a thrill (but why does it have to happen so early??) but a sunset whispers a benediction over a day, "it is finished," like the ending to a story I didn't see coming.
The Kingdom of heaven is so near, you can almost hear her breathing. -Frederick Buechner
What fills your soul?
Find it.
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