Finding the Heart’s Song

There is a special song in the heart of a writer, but when that writer wears about a dozen different hats in her walk of life, it’s often hard to hear as it gets drowned out among the distractions and noise.

Sometimes the words come through easily. Sometimes not. With the quick pace of life as a mom of three, the words so often become hidden and lost. I spent time this morning focusing on the rhythmic beat of my heart and weeding out the distractions so that I might share this song with you.

---

My heart sings to me in the morning. 

Just write.

 

But there are things to do first, I insist.

Just write.

 

I sit myself in front of the screen, mind racing, but blank just like the page in front of me.

My heart sings again: Just write.

 

My mind is telling me to clear the clutter around me before I can write. 

My heart beats: Just write.

 

My ears pick up the sounds of the mail truck and my thoughts wander to the expectant mailbox.

My heart whispers: Just write.

 

My eyes glance upon the book I have to read for my small group meeting this weekend. 

My heart urges: Just write.

 

Doubt enters, and a haze falls upon my words.

My heart gently blows through the fog: Just write.

 

I urge my mind to come up with words to put on the page. 

But it is empty of words and full of worries:

 

Do I need to shop today?

Should I do the laundry now?

I didn’t do my devotions this morning.

I should read the Bible.

I should call someone.

And pray for someone.

What’s for dinner tonight?

I need to shop.

We need milk.

I want to eat something.

I know I just ate before I sat down, but really, I think food will help.

I really should clean this area because I can’t think of anything else right now.

I need to write something because I haven’t posted in a week and I should be more consistent.

How can I be consistent if I don’t know what to write?

I like this song.

Who sings it?

No, don’t look it up.

I’m supposed to write.

Write something.

No, that sucks.

Write something else.

 

I stare for a minute – a full minute – at the blinking cursor on the screen.

 

With each beat, I let go of every single worry until I can hear the song of my heart rhythmically matching the cursor.

 

Just. 

Write.

Just.

Write.

Just.

Write.

 

Music continues to play in the background, and I turn it up, drowning out all other auditory distractions.

I close my eyes, blocking out all visual distraction around me.

I breathe in the words of my heart, pushing out all doubt and worry.

I exhale as my fingers tap at the keyboard without a preset agenda and into unknown territory.

 

And I write.

---

May this encourage you to listen to your heart today whether you’re an artist, an inventor, an engineer, a mother, a baker, an entrepreneur. Listen to your heart and find your words, your art, your passions, and move their rhythm. Take a break from the bustle of life and live.

May God bless you today and always.

~ Jenn