It has been almost four months since I last posted a Listen to Life newsletter.  The idea was that the weeks away would allow me more time to focus on my current book project, giving me the breathing room to concentrate, isolate and create.  None of that happened.  Life did though.  Boy, did it ever.
 
My oldest son graduates in a few weeks and is headed to a November wedding; my middle son graduated in May and has had, and shared, many adventures from work and personal adventures; the youngest had a good swim season, enjoyed his summer job, and just had his wisdom teeth pulled:  Various marks of growth on the proverbial door frame of my mind.  My wife has had several great successes at work, and shared her enthusiasm and time with young high school leaders.  There were births, and deaths.  Wins and losses.  Life happened, and all the time it was talking to those who would listen.  I learned that I don't listen as well when I am poised for solitude, compared to when I'm in the fray.  The rush of life is what gives me the focus to listen to its whispers.
 
I was also reminded, again, that only our solutions can be ours.  What works (fewer distractions to attend to creating) for some, will certainly not work for all.  And it is okay if you are one of those for whom the "correct" answer doesn't work at all.  I knew that, though.  I knew what works for me, but when hitting a wall  I chose to find the "accepted" solution instead of saying "I've been to this wall before, and there is only one way that I ever truly get past it."  I lost my commitment to my knowledge of myself.
 
So, here I am, reflecting on what I already knew, but had lost confidence in, and wondering what got me to the moment of doubt.  And  then I realize the reasons don't always matter, but the solution does.  And the solution is always within us.  You can never run away from the truth, because you carry it with you.
 
And that's the message life gives us:  you have no place to run to.  And no real reason to.  There are different levels of engagement to living, but there is no avoiding.  Not really.  Even when you want to.

 

Listen to Life is a  free newsletter about learning and getting more from life by paying attention to our own stories and the stories of others, based on the presentations, writings, photography and workshops by Dion McInnis (www.dionmcinnis.com).  Copyright 2009 Dion McInnis.  All rights reserved.