Hopefully devoted (to my writing). Are you?

First, I want to welcome anybody new to this series on writing and the Reiki principles.  Please catch up on the first two posts here and here.  Thanks to the folks who have been here for the whole series.  I hope it continues to inform and enlighten you.  I have also added a list of books in the sidebar that should help you familiarize yourself with Reiki if you so desire.  Just click on the cover to go to the Amazon page.  Now onto today's topic:

In contemplating the third Reiki principle for this post I came to a decision I'd been contemplating for a while.  As I said before, each of the principles has been translated a variety of ways.  This week I decided to change my personal principles  to  accommodate this translation:  I will devote myself to my work.  Formerly I was using the translation:  I will do my work well.


Why the change?  Anyone can do their work well.  Anyone can take pride in a job well done, regardless of what that job is.  However devotion to one's work adds another layer to this scenario.  Devotion supposes the belief that the work one is doing is important, fulfilling and necessary, otherwise why be devoted to it?  Devotion assumes that one's best effort be given, not that one be the most talented at it.  Devotion requires that you enrich, enlarge, engage yourself in whatever ways necessary to improve your abilities.  In other words, to be devoted  is to delve deep into oneself for the benefit of the work done.  Isn't that exactly what we must do as writers?

There can be no doubt that writing is a worthwhile art.  Story telling has been one of the valued arts of shamanism since the most ancient times.  Shamanism, arguably the oldest form of connection with Spirit had as it's hallmark the journey--into oneself, into alternate and non-ordinary realities, for healing, for divination, for inspiration and connection with the divine.

What kind of journey do you bring to your readers?   What do you have to say that is new? fresh? exciting? inspiring?  Even commercial fiction must have at its heart your heart, your insights, your truths, to be a satisfying read.  Is your heart in your book or do you hold back?  Are you willing to dig deep into your love, your pain, your disappointment, your heartache, your joy to bring authentic stories to life?  Do you speak your truth or make do with platitudes for fear your readers (including editors and agents) will find what you have to say wanting?  Are you protecting yourself rather than your story?

Have you taken every opportunity to hone your craft?  If you are devoted to your writing, you want to strengthen it as best you can.  There are a plethora of books and websites and courses offering writing advice.  Take what you can from them to improve your writing skill and confidence.  Study other writers you admire and analyze what makes their stories so enjoyable for you.  Stea--I mean borrow as much as you like in your own writing (though no plagiarism, please).

Have you set aside time for your writing, time that is inviolate?  When my kids were little, they knew if the house wasn't burning down or someone wasn't actively trying to break in at the moment or no one was dead, they were not to disturb my writing time.  You have to carve out your time mentally and psychologically, as well.  Understand that even if you are not published yet, you have the right to demand a bit of time and space in your life and in your psyche for your work.  It may not be every day.  You may only get to your writing on the weekends or a couple of mornings or evenings.  But the thing that makes the difference between the published author and the unpublished writer are most often consistency and perseverance.

As always, let your inner wisdom guide you.  I am a firm believer that you should take all advice, including mine, with a grain of salt.  Reiki, and Shamanism, for that matter, are all about direct contact with helping energies.  We mere mortals are imperfect helpers for one another.  If you want more expert guidance, you've got to go to the Source.  That's my take on it anyway.  I'll post more on how to connect with writing guides  once this series is over.

And again, if you have enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or pass it on if you feel guided to do so.