Saturday, October 25, 2014

Chicken by Chicken: Shaken to the Core

Hi folks,

I'm continuing the series of Chicken by Chicken. This week I'm writing about being shaken to the core. Have you ever had a period a time when you are working, and you are just not feeling IT? What is IT? IT is a sense of assurance that you will find your way, a deep internal knowledge that your work will reach others, and some kind of genetic thing that you are meant to do what you are doing. This feeling of IT has been with me for decades. I think that Socrates called this his divine something that guided him along his path. This divine something never told him what to do, but nudged him this way and that to find the sweet spots that would rocket him forward along the river of destiny.

So this IT feeling has left me.

I don't know exactly when. A few months back, I think. You can see it in my recent blogs. I'm digging into the bedrock to hold on. I want the feeling back, but I don't know how to make it return. I'm living my own little Ecclesiastes, Chapter 1. Meaningless. Meaningless. But I'm fighting back with there is a time and season for everything under heaven. There is a season to dig up the ground. And here I am digging. What have I found so far? Long walks lift me up. I think. I sing. I watch butterflies. It's good for the soul. Kind thoughts also help. I try to think of what I would tell someone that is the same place I am. Then I say those things to myself. I listen to Burl Ives songs. Here is a link.  I say my prayers. I keep on working, even though it is slow going. I do little artist things. Go to lectures. Hang out with other artists. Find ways to be helpful.

I'm shaken to the core, but I am confident that what can't be shaken will remain. I'm holding to that right now. I have a deep desire to do more as an artist, to jump up to something more profound, but I didn't see this piece of the journey ahead. I have no idea where to jump. I'm whispering hourly, "Heart find your way."

Every little soul will shine. We all go through deep waters. Rise up! Don't give up. I will be back next week.

For doodles this month I'm featuring doodles from my ebook Halloween project: Chicken Take Over Halloween.   This one is "Robot Chickens."



A quote for your pocket. 

Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.
― Franz Kafka

11 comments:

Karrie Zylstra-Myton said...

Hang in there, Molly. I'll be holding out for the IT to return to you and for you to get to a better chapter in Ecclesiastes.

Molly/Cece said...

Thanks, Karrie. I'm working on moving out of this patch. I went to a Texas Book Fest event with Austin Kleon (Steal Like an Artist) and Joshua Wolf Shenk (Powers of Two) that certainly gave me a jolt.

Faith Pray said...

What apt words, Molly. I'm in it, too! There are such beautiful parts to digging, but so often it feels like an island. Love to you! Hope, encouragement, deep satisfaction!

Mirka Breen said...

I recall hearing Meryl Streep, when asked how she does what she does, say "it's an act of faith." She admitted to being terrified anew each and every day that she "can't do it," and then having faith.

Molly/Cece said...

Hi Faith, Love to you, too. Thank you for kind thoughts and words.

Molly/Cece said...

Hi Mirka, we are all on the same journey it seems regardless of who we are, our successes or failures. I'm glad she keeps taking leaps.

Anonymous said...

One of our reverends spoke on this this morning! Those times when you're sort of like "What's going on? Who am I?" He came out of Exodus 3 and asked if we were okay with who we are where we are. He also used a roller coaster metaphor about sometimes you can't see what's coming over the climb, but you just have to trust things will be okay.

I hope IT returns to you soon! Stay encouraged. :D

Molly/Cece said...

I really like the metaphor of being on a roller coaster and can't see where you are going. This is very true. Thanks to the reverend.

I hope that I get IT back too.

Anonymous said...

I've been through similar owing to health and family issues, gave myself a good talking to and hopefully will get that "IT" FEELING BACK.

Enjoyed reading your blog so much have just enlisted as a follower.

Take care.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I have been through a similar feeling myself through health and family issues, gave myself a good talking to and hope all will be well.

I enjoyed reading your blog have just enlisted as a new follower.

Take care.

Molly/Cece said...

Thanks for your kind words, NashvilleCats.