The act of kindness is always to place your attention on what is. ~ Shelly Oria
The following is excerpted from this week’s edition of Jessica Nordell’s newsletter, “Who We Are To Each Other” with creativity coach Shelly Oria.
“People are often using a comparative lens, which is always unkind—comparing yourself to someone else. Especially with work habits. People are so different—what they need and what projects need is so different. You might think, “Oh, that person works five hours every day and I’m only showing up for one pomodoro [25 minute block].”
One core way artists are unkind is placing our attention on the lack—what I’m not doing, in work habits, artistic choices, professional achievements, what we’ve done to date. The act of kindness is always to place your attention on what is.
Rather than what is lacking.
A lot of people believe if they give themselves credit, they’ll never do more. I’ve seen the opposite. For some people, showing up for five minutes is what they can do. If you tell yourself that’s nothing, next week you indeed won’t do it. Why would you, when you have a voice telling you that’s worthless? But if you say, “For me, that was really hard, and I showed up for those five minutes,” you’re more likely to do that again. And maybe week three, four, 15, you’re able to double that.”
Thank you, Shelly! Thank you, Jessica!
I’m here,
Kevin