WRITING
Writing is an act of discovery. I’ve been keeping a journal since I was a girl. Photo courtesy of Leadership’N Motion
My colleagues here have written eloquently about the value of journaling. Lisa describes journaling as A Method for Creative Discoveries, and Jamie lists 10 Ways Journaling Makes You a Better Writer.
Like both of them, I’ve been journaling since I was quite young. As an only girl in a household of boys, writing was sometimes the only way I could make myself heard. It’s still sometimes the only way I can hear myself.
WALKING
But now that I’m a professional writer, I sometimes need a break from my desk; that’s when I walk.
Walking is a lot like journaling. Instead of unspooling my thoughts in ink, I hike over the uneven terrain of my mental uncertainty. Before long, my footsteps shake my ideas into place, and I return to my desk with mental clarity.
Sometimes, it’s emotional upset that blocks the words, and walking helps calm me. Being in nature changes my perspective with a long view. I’m reminded, “It’s not about me,” one of The Four Agreements that I find so helpful since reading Don Miguel Ruiz’s book about personal freedom and Toltec wisdom last February.
I read The Four Agreements in preparation for attending two-day “aWALKening to Personal Leadership Retreat” that deepened my understanding of how walking aids my writing and my life.
The Retreat was sponsored by Leadership’N Motion, co-founded by two dynamic coaches with international experience: Kate Lampel Link and Marjine van den Kieboom.
MOVING FORWARD
The retreat affirmed how walking literally and metaphorically helps me move forward.
One of the unintended consequences of that retreat was connecting with Kate – with whom I’ve crossed paths for years, usually on local cross-country ski trails.
Since February, we’ve been walking side-by-side in a deepening friendship. Our walks through the forest have led us to understand better the synergy of walking and writing, two activities that reinforce our personal leadership and help us to live mindful, fulfilling lives.
A WALKING & WRITING COLLABORATION
Kate Link Lampel and I are collaborating on Women Women Walking and Writing Toward Wisdom on 11/4/17. Photo courtesy of Leadership ‘N Motion
Kate’s a coach and I’m an educator. We both work primarily with women pursuing self-empowerment, whether pursuing a dream of entrepreneurship (Kate) or reframing the narrative of their lives (me). We hadn’t walked very far together before we started collaborating on a way to bring our knowledge and skills to others.
So it is with great excitement that we’ll be offering Women Walking and Writing toward Wisdom, and all-day WALKshop on November 4, 2017.
Please note: Space is limited and Registration is required.
At the end of the Long Trail, 9/8/2016.
When she’s not walking, Deborah Lee Luskin is writing and Living in Place.
This is great! I find walking inspring too. I guess I need to click on your link. WHERE are you walking?
This one-day workshop will take place in Newfane, Vermont. Please use the Contact Me page on my website (www.deborahleeluskin.com) for answers to specific questions.
Also, Kate and I hope to offer longer versions of this workshop in due time, so stay in touch! Best.
Thanks for the update. Sounds like fun. I’ll keep checking your Blog.
Was just visiting your site. Is this a one day retreat? It would be a long journey from Chicago to Vermont for just one day. You don’t mention hotel accommodations, etc. LOVE THE IDEA, but need to know more. 🙂
Hi! Thanks for your query. Yes, this is a one-day workshop: Saturday, November 4, from 9-4. Please contact me through my website for information about hotels, etc. http://www.deborahleeluskin.com.
But this is indeed a long journey from Chicago for just one day. We hope to offer a longer version of this workshop in due time. Please let me know if you would like to be on our mailing list for future events like this. Again, the best way to be in touch is via the “Contact Me” page on my website.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope we meet at a workshop before too long.
Love ‘The Four Agreements.’ Good reminder to read it again. Thanks! Also love walking too – best thing for getting the creative muscles going as well as the leg muscles!
Thanks for the positive reinforcement!
Reblogged this on Mister Journalism: "Reading, Sharing, Discussing, Learning".
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On Tue, Sep 5, 2017 at 2:26 PM, Live to Write – Write to Live wrote:
> Deborah Lee Luskin posted: “WRITING My colleagues here have written > eloquently about the value of journaling. Lisa describes journaling as A > Method for Creative Discoveries, and Jamie lists 10 Ways Journaling Makes > You a Better Writer. Like both of them, I’ve been journaling” >
Thanks for reaching out. You can learn more about the professional writing services I offer and contact me through my website, http://www.deborahleeluskin.com
Thanks.