What Is Holding You Back?
Pause to Ponder
For today’s Pause to Ponder post, I want to share a short but powerful exercise I learned from Patrice Vecchione during our recent Quest “Write Your Mind Open” writing workshop.
Before we started writing, Patrice asked participants to create a list of beliefs, attitudes or behavioral patterns that shut us down or hold us back—in relationships, writing, work, or any other arena of life. “What gets in the way of you changing your perspective or seeing anew? Are there old messages, difficult past experiences, stinky voices, or any form of criticism that limit your sense of possibility?”
Items on my personal list included wanting to please other people, perennial rushing, fear of the future, forcing instead of flowing, physical and nervous system tension, repeating my old stories, and being overly focused on productivity.
I found Patrice’s question wonderfully illuminating to ponder. Whether you simply hold it in your mind or reach for a notepad and pen, you may be surprised to discover what emerges from your subconscious. As Patrice says, “When we put pen to paper, we become a receiving station. By writing what’s going on instead of just thinking it, we get to see more closely because the paper holds our words, and then we can also more easily let go of what no longer fits or benefits us.”
Patrice shared, “Sometimes when I’m writing in my journal, I say to myself, the way my best friends do, ‘I’m listening.’”
I highly recommend giving this enlightening “What Holds Me Back” exercise a try. If you do, please remember four of Patrice’s important rules for writing:
1) What you write doesn’t have to make obvious sense.
2) Don’t plan what you’re going to say; be surprised by your own words.
3) Ask your inner critic to take a break.
4) Trust your inner wisdom and imagination.
“Just like our minds, a closed box is a closed box. What might be hidden in there?” —Patrice Vecchione
“This box was given to me by my father. It holds treasures, not of monetary value, but great personal worth—a ballerina from a childhood birthday cake, miniature pottery from the island of Lesbos, a compass I’ve used to find my way, and more.” —Patrice Vecchione
