First Article in the “Sitting” Series:
Ready, Sit, Go

The Buddha had a simple test for measuring wisdom. He said, you’re wise if you can get yourself to do things you don’t like doing but know will result in happiness, and if you can refrain from things you like doing but know will result in pain and harm.

We plan to write, we talk about writing, and we walk around the chair where we need to sit to write. That’s what I do. What do you do when it’s time to write that story, report, article? Does it matter if it is something you have to do or want to do?

I used the word “integrity” in this article because I want you to look honestly at the results of your intentions and actions around writing. How attached are you to doing the same things or taking the same actions even when nothing gets written? Consider this: do you overestimate the pleasure you will get by doing something other than writing? Do you underestimate the pain you will feel if you do not write?

I am your biggest fan. I know there is a tactical solution to keep the “sitting” part of writing alive and well. You can reimagine your intentions to write. You can learn to be honest and sensitive to your actions and consequences. You can allow yourself to imagine yourself writing as a route to greater power over your life and feeling happier about yourself. In other words, sitting/writing happens when pleasure of writing outweighs feeling bad about not writing.

How will you know? Check your mirror. Just as you would check a mirror to see if there is any dirt on your face or green stuff stuck in your teeth, your feelings, actions, and desires show, too. If you give up on yourself or don’t allow yourself to imagine the writer in you getting to live, what will that look like on your face?