I’m not a great listener. I’m worse at it with family than with strangers. Worse still, listening to my Self. This weekend, I tried a technique Julia Cameron suggests in her newest book, The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention. Similar to The Artist’s Way, Cameron includes exercises to practice the skill as a way to tap into creativity. Being silent. Listening to everything, rather than hearing.
One way to listen to that inner voice is to write to one’s Self, or inner child. I did that on Saturday, asking some big questions I’ve been trying to figure out. I wrote in script form and gave my Self the name of Little Cat, using pink ink with responses in purple.
What am I doing? This is wonky. But, it’s my notebook, I can do whatever I want. I wound up with five pages of questions and answers, dialogue. Some I thought I knew and others I didn’t realize were options. Skeptical during my writing, I had to tell Little Cat to shut up already. Let it flow. Stop and listen. Respectfully. Attentively. Fully.
Sounds easy.
Today, I continued thinking about my questions. I haven’t returned (yet) to my notebook to re-read answers, but I have the gist. After a conversation, in the silence of my being, they shouted at me. They were whispers on Saturday, but I wouldn’t listen.
Okay, Self, I get it. I’m listening now. Forgive me for dismissing you.
Nerds Beget Nerds 
❤
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Why is listening to ourselves the hardest? This is an interesting idea. I had to chuckle at your name for Self, Little Cat. I am going to check into the resources you shared. I’m intrigued. Interestingly, I listened to Oprah’s Super Soul Podcast this week which was about these whispers: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whispers/id1264843400?i=1000516086329
If you haven’t listened to it, you might enjoy it.
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Thank you for the suggestion, I’m working on allowing myself to listen and follow my own advice.
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Wow! This is a very thought provoking post. The idea of writing a dialogue to process my thinking is great. Thanks so much for sharing!
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This is giving so much to think about. Those little lines where you question, “What am I doing? This is wonky.” Even though it wasn’t the point of your post, it’s those little questions that often stop me from freely writing. The way you gave yourself permission to just go for it is giving me inspiration!
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Thank you Vivian. It’s interesting going through the process. It got easier as the writing began to flow.
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We are birds of a feather, Alice; I started a “self-talk” journal that I was writing in until I started morning pages and doing a lot of self-reflection in the Noom app exercises. I haven’t done the question AND answer thing yet…I will have to try it. I’m thinking of writing the questions first, then waiting a day and going back to answer them with 24 hours more under my belt, just to see what my subconscious has cooked up in the meantime; what do you think?
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This! Yes, this is a great idea! I will try that next time. On a weekend when my time for morning pages is less rigid.
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You are quite an insightful person. Yes, listen to yourself. It may keep you out of some bad trouble and get you into some good trouble.
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Good trouble, I hope.
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I haven’t been feeling all that creative lately so I think I will have to check out The Listening Path. I’m going to look into it now. Thanks for mentioning it here!
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