The Writer’s Shadow Side

I am not worthy of this story.

I have nothing to say.

Why should I bother? No one will read it anyway.

I’m a horrible writer.

I can’t do this.

So what?

What is your shadow side saying to you?

It’s time. It’s time to bring the shadow out and appreciate it as a beautiful and effective strategy to stay safe, not take risks, not grow, and maintain the status quo that has worked so well for so long. Why rock the boat?

Because we want to bring our brilliant and touching stories into the world. To touch the hearts and minds of millions. So let’s make it safe and easy to do so. Let’s welcome and embrace our shadow side.

1. Appreciate and celebrate the writer’s adventure and your gift as it is presently.*
2. Appreciate the present state.
3. Nothing is wrong.
4. What is the present state better than?
5. Notice that your “problems” are brilliant and elegant solutions.
6. Let’s find and respect the excluded parts of yourself.
7. And where there is shame, be grateful.
8. It’s okay to find your hope and experience hopelessness.
9. And surrender 100% to what is.
10. There is nothing you can do to belong more or less to yourself and your family.
11. There is nothing you can do to be loved more or less by your loved ones.
12. Right is now is better than what you want.

*Adapted from tips received from the California Leadership Center. Thank you.

Once we embrace our present state shadow side we automatically make room for change and having and maintaining what we want: a finished book, a published book, a book marketed to the masses, changing millions of live.