Monkey Mind

I read a great article in the April 2013 issue of Runner’s World, called “The Zen Zone.” It starts off eavesdropping on what a runner might be thinking to himself. Those thoughts are scattered from running gear to food, to scenery, what Buddhists call “monkey mind.”

Monkey mind, or those random thoughts that keep popping up, happen to writers too. It might be something like this: Need to write. What about the dishes? I’m hungry. Next time I go to the grocery store, I need to remember to buy tofu. I wonder what my neighbor is doing? Maybe I should brush the dog.

Don’t worry; monkey mind is normal—to a point. When the monkeys are noisy and start saying mean, nasty things (You think you’re a writer? You have nothing to say that anyone will want to read. You can’t finish a novel. This is crap and you’ll be laughed off the face of this Earth!), it’s time to throw the monkeys a banana or two.

Buddhists recommend meditation to cure monkey mind. Now don’t get me wrong, meditation is great, and it can clear your mind and bring focus. Runners need to bring their mind and body into balance, and meditation helps with that. But I think writers have a lot of other tools as well, to bring their mind to their writing.

Some writers have certain music that motivates, others journal. Some use a timer and write anything for thirty minutes to see if it gets the creativity going, others mind map. Some writers research, others interview characters. Some edit what’s already been written, others grit their teeth and just write, knowing they can toss it out with the garbage if they need to.

A little monkey is okay. But when the monkey is wild, do whatever you need to, whatever works for you, to get that monkey off your back.

 

Welcome to 2013!

My husband and I talked about our resolutions.  He commented that most people make them and break them before the end of January. I told him that my resolutions were going to be few and easy.

My first goal is to write more consistently. In making this kind of goal, I have to be realistic about my time constraints and other obligations. Instead of telling myself I have to write every day, knowing I’ll blow this within the first week of the New Year, I decided that I will write 2,000 words a week. It’s attainable, and won’t put so much pressure on me that it will become a burden instead of a joy.

My second goal is to read more.  I read my magazines at the gym on the days I don’t run, but I don’t spend enough time reading books. I have several titles stacked up, and I resolve to read ten pages every day. It doesn’t sound like much, but seventy pages a week will add up!

My last goal is to be content. I spend a lot of time worrying about everything that needs to be done, and sometimes the stress stops me from doing anything. I shall celebrate the accomplishments, analyze (but not dwell on) the disappointments, and move on to other opportunities.

Resolutions aren’t made to be broken. My goals for 2013 may be short, but they can be reached.

May your 2013 resolutions be fulfilled, and may you have good health, peace, and blessings!

My Rottweiler, Isamu, is a beautiful dog. He has golden eyes that look at me with wonder when I talk to him, and a square chin that rivals Superman.

Isamu, or Sami, as we call him, is a large dog with many fears. There are certain parts of the floor that he's afraid of, and if he perceives a barrier is in his way, he gets frightened and won't walk around it. However, when he is outside, and sees a person, a car, or an animal, he is fierce. He barks, raises the hair on his back, and acts as if he is the protector of the world.

We have tried to help him overcome his fears, but at seven years of age, it doesn't appear that he will conquer them.

Conquering fears can be difficult. When I started writing, I had an incredible fear of rejection. I still worry about what people will say about my writing, but it isn't a paralyzing fear that stops me. If I want to be successful as an author, I must conquer my fears and realize that I can't please everyone.

Mean words hurt. As writers, we work hard. We write, edit, polish, and love our prose. No one wants to publish only to have others tear them down. But inevitably someone is going to make a comment that rips out your heart and makes you feel inadequate, worthless, or incompetent.

Somehow you must overcome that hurt, and write because you love it, and because your supporting audience loves it.

If you never conquer your fear, branch out, and put yourself out there, you'll never know success. Like Sami, I will always have fears, but will put on my bravest and fiercest face when I submit or publish anything.