By indirections find directions out.

William Shakespeare

“Starting,” the third chapter in Sue Bender’s Everyday Sacred: A Woman’s Journey Home, is about, as Marie Forleo would say, figuring it out. Figuring it out means doing the next right thing. Figuring it out I means starting before I am ready. Figuring it out I means doing it, whatever it is that must be done. Figuring it out I means doing it in the face of doubt and fear and fatigue. That is the beauty of figuring it out. That is the beauty of starting.

100 Drawings Project

Bender tells the story of her friend Gale who was teaching a graduate art class, The 100 Drawings Project, and tasked her students, “with finding and drawing 100 times, one simple, familiar object portable enough to bring to class each time. It had to be neutral in content, not religious, not a family heirloom, nor any object that held a sentimental attachment.” Gayle student’s challenged her to complete the assignment alongside them. She chose a white enamel bowl and began drawing and taking pictures. When the process started, Gayle had no idea what lessons she would learn. She had no idea what insight she would gain or skills she would gain. She just simply started on the path to 100 drawings (and pictures).

Relationships

Bender reflects, “Making 100 drawings of the same object forced Gale to find new techniques, materials, and ways to work. The goal her was to take risks and exceed limits. Hopefully, along the way, a personal style would emerge. … What struck me is that if you can take a white enamel household pot and begin seeing it brand new each time, you can do it with anything.” Bender boils down the project to one thing – relationships. Building our relationship with ourselves and others. Building our capacity to see things anew, with fresh eyes and perspective.

My Blog Project

I can relate to Gayle. In many ways, my blog has been a project. I originally began blogging in 2007. Those were uncertain times then, too. I began blogging for several reasons. Partly to relieve isolation. Partly to create something. Partly as an excuse to read. Partly to become a better writer. Mostly because I love to write, even when I hate to write.

If, as Bender suggests, the bowl project is ultimately about relationships, then my blog project has been a relationship booster rocket. My blog project has taught me that writing every day makes me a better writer. Like the runner whose times get faster as they run, or the cook whose dishes taste better the more they cook, I am a better writer today than I was years ago. It has reminded of the beauty of reading and tapping into wisdom of those around me and sharing it with others. It has taught me the power of showing up and of developing a practice. Developing a practice allows me to explore the what if and not yet. There is real power there. Plain and simple. That is where relationships enter in my blog project. The relationships I enter with ideas and stories. The relationship I enter with myself as I think and write. The relationship I build with people who read my blog. I find my directions in relationships. I find direction in starting.