Creativity itself doesn’t care at all about results – the only thing it craves is the process. Learn to love the process and let whatever happens next happen, without fussing too much about it. Work like a monk, or a mule, or some other representative metaphor for diligence. Love the work. Destiny will do what it wants with you, regardless.
– Elizabeth Gilbert
I was chatting with a friend this morning, and we spoke to something similar. Any and all work, whether it was creative or not, landed more on the drudgery side of life than not, or, at least, that was how we used to view things.
Our discussion led us to the simple enjoyment of doing, and being of service to others, not to the detriment of ourselves mind you, but to the manifestation of contentment that comes with effort and belonging.
This idea took a long time to permeate all of my life, but I am now more able to enjoy the work of whatever I’m doing, even if it is the mundane task of folding laundry or washing dishes.
And, of course, there is the work of writing, though showing up with the effort needed for that is not always a joy, per se. Sometimes my doubt or my need to guarantee a certain result impedes upon my in-the-moment-effort and I falter.
But faltering in and of itself is part of the human experience, because we do it when we don’t want to; hence, the choice we have of beginning again. We don’t have to stay faltered.
If I’m open to experiencing my moment in the here and now, not tomorrow or yesterday, I can take hold of the love and joy of doing whatever work I need to do today, or, in some cases want to do today, and leave destiny to its own business.
Weathered Well 