Did anyone else find yourself triggered last week between hurricanes? Since I was nowhere near the storms, I obsessed about telling a few clients I’d been unable to focus on their manuscripts. Would they see me as unprofessional if I admitted I’d been so worried for friends and clients in N. Carolina and Florida (and working to help them raise funds for cleanup) that I’d been unable to do a deep dive on other storylines?
I mean, life happens. That doesn’t take away from our commitments. But I couldn’t do it every time I sat down to edit.
I sucked it up and sent out a few voice memos, letting these gals know that I hadn’t forgotten them; I was just IN it emotionally and needed a little more time. Then I waited, afraid they’d be upset and tell me so. The answers I got, however, were a whole lot of me, too—showing me we really are all in this together.
Polly Bart, a longtime retreat client and eco-contractor in Maryland, shared that one of her suppliers (who makes wall coverings from bark, working with a mill that uses downed trees so no living trees are harmed), is surrounded by devastation. Entire hillsides of forest are gone.
“We are supposed to be ‘triggered’ by facts like that,” Polly said. “We need our trees, and you and I both know that and are working the good work to do anything we can to protect our earth’s lungs. Having the weather turn against the forests is a new problem I hadn’t anticipated. There have been the fires, and that’s a huge concern, but this is new. It is sanity to face and absorb another environmental problem, not any kind of mental disorder. Moving through it, accepting the reality, and finding hope and a vision forward is what strong people do and you will do—but it takes time to craft a new vision.”
As I continued reading Polly’s beautifully written email, the depth of her understanding of my eco-heart and mind moved me to tears.
And then similar emails arrived.
“I’ve felt the same. I’ve been really affected by it and waking up thinking about all the people and horses and dogs,” said another retreater I adore.
And this one: “Hi my love. Please do not worry. It’s so crazy what’s happening right now. I feel mama earth screaming at us. I’m really sorry… Of course you have friends in Florida and Asheville and all the places… I’ve been so stressed out as well, watching all the animal shelters trying to get their animals out and off farms, and it’s just so devastating when you’re super sensitive… All in divine time, all in divine time…”
A lovely Virtual retreater from Australia wrote: “No problem at all. I have been seeing many reports from Florida also, and it looks devastating… I am trusting the process… terrible times…but…a true testament to the kindness and generosity of humanity, as I see clips of civilians clearing debris, rebuilding bridges, and dropping off supplies where they can. Light a candle and focus on the beautiful and resilient spirit of humanity I say…it is all we can do!”
God, I love the empathy and humanity of writers.
My friends are safe. They’re in the lucky camp, supported and rebuilding. But they, like millions of others, are not unaffected. As they work to “get back to business,” they, like all of us, must find pockets of productivity and focus. There’s no guarantee on this globe. There never had been. But the HEART I’ve witnessed repeatedly in this community has helped me dive back into my work the past few days.
It just feels better knowing that none of us are going it alone. We’ve raised money for a fellow retreater in Asheville who lost hundreds of trees and had damage to her home, helped get the word out to get a pound pup desperately needing adoption from a kill shelter in California (Hilda went to her new home yesterday!), and showed up for each other in 9 hours of Write-Ins last week, where, when done with our 3-hour writing blocks, came back on Zoom to share our hopes, dreams, and worries. As Polly said, we found out that we were supposed to be triggered. And sharing that with each other has been helpful medicine.
I love you. I love us. Write on!
PS. The world will never make it easier for you to write your masterpiece. But community and scheduled writing & brainstorming sessions will! Did you read last week’s blog on the five ways my Oct. 22nd – Nov. 15th Virtual Writing Retreat could rock your world before the holidays? It’s a fun read and may help you close out 2024 magically and ensure 2025 is your best creative year yet. xo
PSS. Thoughts on this post? I’d love to hear how you’re navigating these times on today’s Instagram, Facebook, or X posts.
