A Little Shift Goes a Long Way

Life is full of little shifts.

Fluffing the pillow a little makes for a more restful sleep. A slight change in the path of a storm means someone is spared and someone else is cleaning up tree branches in their yard. A little shift in running technique can be the difference between more efficient strides and a nagging injury. A little shift in wait time before responding to a question or a critique can be the difference between getting defensive and shutting down or opening up to listening more and talking less. A meaningful conversation unfolds.

I am sitting on our deck in the early morning writing this. There was just a little shift from the humid and heavy air to a light breeze. It feels wonderful on my arms and face.

One of the best shifts I made as a writer, about 15 years ago, was to commit to writing time in the mornings, before the day got away from me. I had long been journaling early in the day, but my other pursuits—dreams of publishing poems, essays, and books—were pushed aside on many days. The tasks of the day needed to get done first. Writing was my bonus and reward. You guessed it. Many days I never made it back to pen and paper, computer and ideas. I used to say I ran out of time. Now, I know time wasn’t the issue. My expectations and choices were.

The other things that were taking my time were certainly important and valuable in my day-to-day life. My husband, our young son, my stepchildren, our dog, my job, maintaining a home, getting regular exercise, including marathon training. I wasn’t wasting time, but there was definitely some mismanagement and unrealistic expectations I had on myself.

I was a frustrated writer with plenty I wanted to say and compose. It is said that “real writers really write.” So get up a little earlier and honor thy writing Lisa! I started a blog. I had opinion essays published in newspapers. I started formulating more book ideas. There are now four published poetry compilations that include my name. I no longer grasp for writing time, I make it. A little shift in how I approach my time has made all the difference. I am a more fulfilled writer, a less frustrated one.

Living gratefully is about making a little shift in how I look at life. Am I lacking or do I have enough? Living gratefully builds a perception that generates compassion for the world around me, the people in it, and myself. Shifting away from lack and self-pity and moving toward a sense of enough and the gifts visible and palpable when I pause in the present moment.

On my run this morning, I took time to travel on the labyrinth that is located near where we live. There is no wrong way to approach a labyrinth. Including it in my run works for me. (As long as I have it to myself.) What shifts for me on the labyrinth is my spiritual condition. I tend to leave a labyrinth more calm and centered than when I arrived.

I also leave writing time more calm and centered than when I arrived. A little shift goes a long way.