Dare to Dance and Coffee Delights
I recently took part in an expressive writing class called Sift, created by Rachel Cole (https://rachelwcole.com/sift). I wanted to experience what it was like to write with poetry as the prompt and be given 10-12 minutes to dive in and write whatever came up. There are no rules, no expectation of getting one’s grammar right, or having to be a “writer”. In fact, there is complete permission just to write with abandon, pen on paper until the time is up.
The first poem took me down a path I couldn’t have planned. After reading it twice and highlighting a few sentences, Rachel invited us to write using the poem as inspiration or whatever came through to us. Here’s what I found myself writing:
“There was a time I must have felt free to dance without reserve or feeling self-conscious. It must have been when I was about 2 - I see my grandson move his little body with ease, exploring different ways his arms and legs and torso take up space, exploring what it feels like to bend sideways as he walks along, to dance to the music in time, with complete abandon and the coordination I’m always surprised by.
It must have been then that I, like him, would dance, unencumbered from comparisonitis, praised by the adults around me who might even have joined in.
I have moments of returning to that place when I’m invited to dance with him - “grandma dance” he calls to me, not a request but a firm command I dare not turn down. It won’t be long before the invitation fades and his eyes roll as I attempt to to dance one more time with him, wanting to capture a moment of magic and freedom.
Perhaps it’s not too late - to feel complete freedom in my body even when my aging bones don’t bend the way they used to, to let my body sway as freely as she can as I move to the music in the way I might have done when I was 2.”
The second poem was about being a happy woman. Here’s what I wrote for the second 10 minutes:
“Coffee makes me happy. It’s more than the taste, although there’s something about that first sip that has always put a smile on my face, caused a delightful sigh to escape from my body, even when things aren’t going especially well.
Some would call me a coffee snob - I don’t care. It’s all about me with coffee - no one else. It’s the one thing that I have complete control over. The scoop I use to measure freshly ground beans - 3 of them, slightly rounded - not too much but the right amount to make a strong brew that to some might knock their socks off.
I carefully measure the water, as that’s key to the taste and strength. And, I must confess that sometimes when I’ve misjudged the measuring, I’ve thrown it out, started again. No second thoughts.
It’s what makes me happy. I’ll do what I want!”
These two short stories took about 20 minutes to create. They aren’t perfectly written but they are a testament to how powerful the written word can be when offered as a way into one’s subconscious and creative mind.
I was reminded of two simple and yet important messages through this writing process: happiness, joy and freedom are within our grasps, even as we age, found in those moments when you let go of the “rules”, step out of the “messy” middle for just a minute, and dance freely like the two year old you once were after making a simple, strong cup of coffee, exactly the way you like it.
Won’t you join me? You can find me in the Tap and Write Studio where we combine a powerful duo - EFT Tapping and Writing! You’ll be amazed at how perspectives are changed, truths are revealed, stories are created, all by writing and opening up your creativity and energy. Follow the link below and find out more…
