It is not frequently the “world is too much” with me but too much always means a matter of words.
These are days of careless and thoughtless words thrown around the world in a nanosecond and forgotten just as immediately, as if a word once released is never more.
Every word reveals its writer, as Wayne Dyer demonstrates in his work with the Tao: “Live a unified life” and forego the “mind game” of duality, that “propensity to compartmentalize everything as good or bad, right or wrong.” Ah, the slippery slope of duality.
I take this viewpoint or that one, keeping each in its box, opposites, while I allow myself the luxury of weighing right vs. left, considering women vs. men, contemplating yin-yang.
I name it balance but my heart knows it as judgment unexpressed but held. I am a lifelong hair-splitter within myself as well as with the world. At times, both are too much with me.
I am a true believer in finding common ground on any issue—no matter how insignificant that spot of ground may be, I know it exists–often, I am tenacious beyond popularity with left or right, no or yes, yet it keeps me just shy of duality. Dyer offers this: “eliminating opposites paradoxically unifies them.”
Imagine that as a political viewpoint in a discussion of the role of government for the individual, for an entire country, especially when our planet is so pendulous, left-right, right-left, right-wrong. Words and more words, this word heard, that word ignored, a lie believed, a truth buried.
It’s a squawking sky of words where a good offense is the next day’s defense, and no one remembers to ask whether the sky is falling for the sky is full of flying words.
“…notice an opportunity to defend or explain yourself and choose not to. Instead, turn within and sense the texture of misunderstanding…just be with what is.”
These Wayne Dyer words clear the sky for me on any day. The moment is all we ever have and it’s more than enough to “just be.” In order to clear the sky, I have to remove “me” from the words so I can see their meaning, their context, how they come together and when. Then, I can hear them.
“The world is too much with us, late and soon,” Mr. Wordsworth, as it always has been.
WANA Commons
Rhythm of ROW80 Sunday Scheduling:
This past week, I started a month-long workshop with Bob Mayer on Idea and Conflict. For the rest of this round of ROW80, I will work with the kernel idea and conflict box of a story that may actually become a novel.
Daily, I write for at least 30 minutes, often longer, generating at least 1,000 words per day for blog posts as well as some creative nonfiction. In this regard, I have exceeded my word count for this first round of ROW80.
All Wayne Dyer excerpts are from Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life, second verse of the Tao.
KM Huber's Blog 
Lovely post, KM. Very touching, indeed. And, thanks for using my photo ~ I’m truly honored!
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Oh, it’s a lovely photo, Amanda. Thank you for giving us all a rainbow.
Karen
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Hi Karen
If your other writing is as good as this you are using your time in the best way! This is an area I don’t know that much about and I am becoming fascinated.
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Thank you, Diana! I do write to find out what I am thinking so I write a lot; it seems to take me to interesting places. Oneness is fascinating as well as elusive, perhaps the latter is what keeps me. Always appreciate your thoughtful comments, Diana.
Karen
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I enjoyed your post so much. Pondering the possibility that dulaity disappears when all thngs are accepted as a part of spiritual evolution, making truth & error, right & wrong, and all opposites unite in their one purpose. Enrichment of the soul toward unconditional love. Once judgement dissolves, opposites are simply one within the whole. At this point in my walk, I accept that every spiritual life is as unique in the spirit as is the DNA in the flesh.
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Hello, Marion!
“Every spiritual life is as unique in the spirit as is the DNA in the flesh….” Thank you, thank you for these words as I don’t give the flesh enough consideration, I suspect, always looking to the spirit. I suspect that is a lifelong issue with me, maybe more than one lifetime. I am so glad you stopped by; don’t be a stranger.
Karen
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Lovely post, Karen. And great going with the word count!
Good luck with the Bob Mayer workshop. I hope you get a lot out of it.
Have a great week!
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Hi, Ruth!
I am pretty pleased with that word count, in particular that I am able to use so much of it.
The Bob Mayer workshop is wonderful, truly. In many ways, I am more excited about my story than I have ever been, perhaps because I am at its core. Such is the reformed life of a former pantser!
Always good to have you visit.
Karen
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Great job with the word count! I have heard wonderful things about Bob Mayer’s workshops. I read The Novel Writer’s Toolkit from him, which was a rather comprehensive craft book. Best wishes for a fabulous week!
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Thanks, Julie, and yes, Bob’s workshops are specific and incredibly helpful. Also, I enjoy the banter among the participants. You enjoy your week as well.
Karen
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Wayne has some great writings on the Tao as I recall when I read his book some time ago. I love his one on ego, Edge God Out. So many of us seem to live life in a cocoon, rarely letting our true selves become visible lest we become vulnerable, yet it’s this vulnerability that can and often is our opportunity to witness our own shining light.
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Hi, Vaughn!
What an unexpected pleasure! In the last couple of years, I knew I was looking beyond Buddhism and kept returning to the Tao, which I had not really considered. This year, I am also reading Mark Nepo’s Book of Awakening, day by day as part of my meditation. What helps me most of all is that I believe we are so much more than the physical plane; that belief in itself provides perspective.
Again, I am so pleased you stopped by.
Karen
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It is the hardest thing when the “self” demands to be served, but I try as hard as I can to leave that self small and unopinonated and see each thing individually, not as part of a larger dogma which will force me to throw my weight one way or another. What is true? What is real? No matter who said it that should be the test.
As always a beautiful post Karen.
In response to your writing summary, I am reading through my books that form the neighborhood series that starts with “Crossing Jordan.” While you write a staggering 1,000 words a day I am rediscovering the fact that Jemmie Lewis has a birthmark on her cheek and that Lou Anne’s hair drapes like a curtain over the back of a chair. Fictional worlds. What great places to spend time.
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Eternal optimist that I am, Adrian, the war of words these days is staggering. As it is with war, no one remembers the original question, which is only a bit of an oversimplification. As you say, truth is the test and will out. Writers like you always inspire.
You know how I love Crossing Jordan so this is exciting news for the series! Honestly, I am staggered at my word count. It all began with those 30 minute stretches, which now stretch into hours sometimes. They have helped me rediscover my novel’s story, the real one, but I am also finding other stories wanting attention, which has never before been. Fictional worlds, as you say, are fine places.
Always lovely to have you stop by, Adrian.
Karen
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What a lovely post Karen! I wish I could meet you in real life; I think you’re really nice!
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Hello, Janet!
Coming from such a fine poet, your words make me blush. One of the best things about the Internet is that we do make connections. I just know it is key for us all. Again, thank you for your kind words.
Karen
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