Words of wisdom that bring me back when overwhelm starts to take over.
The theme for this fall, across all of Creative Voices, is the idea of journeys. The idea that there are seasons and not every season can be one of harvest. In our work, this means that we’re not chasing or expecting unending growth. There are seasons of stepping back and planning and changing directions.
Letting go of trying to control the outcome, it’s a weight lifted. It grounds me in the present.
Embracing the road, the daily rhythms, not only helps us feel happier and more content, it can also make our work better in the long run. There is an element of unconditional openness. We do the work because we believe it is worth doing and we acknowledge that the outcome is beyond our control.
For me, this also acts as a small antidote to the increasingly common anxieties of simply being alive. Letting go of trying to control the outcome, it’s a weight lifted. It grounds me in the present.
When I start to spin-out, there are a couple quotes that bring me back. The first is a verse from a Mother Teresa poem. It is inscribed on the wall of a children’s home she founded in Kolkata.
“Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.”
To read the poem in its entirety, click here.
And the second is from Japanese author, Haruki Murakami.
“Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we stay sane when the world is falling apart.”
These words of wisdom act almost as affirmations for me. I write them on index cards and keep them on my desk. I often read them in morning and whenever I feel the doubt and overwhelm start to creep into my periphery.
Find words that do this for you and put them where you can see them. Use them as a tool to remind yourself of who you are and where you’re going. After writing this today, I decided to create a few simple wallpaper designs in case these quotes speak to you the way they do to me. You’re doing a good job. Sometimes we all just need a little reminding.
Free Wallpapers
Use the button to download the zip file. No email required. Enjoy!
