[This is a guest post from the mighty and magical Megg Genge]
I have a friend who once had a boyfriend whose whole life was devoted to the study of the mites that live in the noses of birds (I know there is a lot in that sentence, digest it slowly.) We teased her about it when they were together but the truth of the matter was that he loved his job. When he was focused on those mites he was happy.
This morning my husband and I were talking about why we were both so stressed out and he said, “What are our bird mites?” I have to admit I didn’t know what he was talking about at first. “Maybe we are trying to be and do too many things. What is the one thing that we believe in enough to devote our life to?”
Although choosing one thing seems limiting on the surface, if I look at my successful friends I see now that the moment they chose their one thing to focus on was the moment their lives began to expand. You know the old cliché about never seeing a certain kind of car on the road until you buy one? Totally true.
When Susannah asked me why creativity was so important in my life I didn’t know what to say. Creativity and I have had a tricky relationship in the past, but I’m beginning to see that I was operating with the wrong manual. Creativity is about expressing the essence of who you are, not how you compare with everyone else. And what is an essence? It is the crucial element — the most important ingredient — one thing.
So the hunt for bird mites began (or as my husband says, bird mights.) For me the answer was swift, because on some level I’ve known all along. For me it boils down to my Style Statement: Sacred Feminine. From that point everything else just clicks into place. From that point movement is easy. And you know what? When I am focused on that, I am happy.
What about you? What is boiled-down, clear focus, intrinsically you?
(And who knew birds had noses?)
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Megg is a writer, a seeker and a believer in magic. She believes passionately in the power of story and has decided to add talespinner to that list as well. Born in Canada she currently lives in England with her husband in a rose-covered cottage much like the one she dreamed of as a child. She is currently deciding how to publish her first book and has begun the next. She can be found at her blog, Creating Wings, and occasionally on twitter.
Megg, thank you so much. This is right where I’m at right now. I’ve been faffing (yes, faffing) about for a few years trying to be and do like others that I see. But I’ve just recently come back to what I love, what turns me on. And, as excited I am about that, there is also a peace and calmness to it, that tells me it’s correct. :)
Megg, I read your book and you have creativity oozing out of you! As for the bird mites I am still looking for mine. And I will confess, I feel completely lost in that quest. Lately I have had such a strong sense of inner fragmentation, it’s like there are too many pieces of myself left in too many places around this world, making it hard to focus on the one thing that would make sense of it all. Essence, funnily enough, was my word last year and I even have it engraved on a piece of jewelry. I can see how the Sacred Feminine is your essence, very much so. It’s lovely to see you write on here! xo
I love the connection you make between essence and creativity. And its so great how when we make that connection, how can we compete when everyone’s essence is so unique? Its so simple and so easy to forget – like bird mites!