Writing (or typing) has always provided me a means to put thoughts into sensical paragraphs.
With so many thoughts going through my head in a minute, they multiply rapidly over the course of a day, leaving me jumbled and often incoherent.
Sometimes I have taken the time to do the work to write and work myself clear. More often, I’m scared of the work and don’t put in the effort to get the outcome I want.
(This is true in more areas of my life than simply thinking and trying to clear the space.)
Long ago (and I’m going to do it again), I read Steven Pressfield’s War of Art, and my memory sometimes triggers on the idea that no matter what, you have to do the work your art demands. It is not enough to sit and quietly await the Muse. Or hope the Muse hits you over the head with a sledge so hard you can’t ignore it.
You have to put yourself in a consistent position where you can hear the Muse.
Now, the Muse is Pressfield’s creation, and a common description of what many artists consider “the inspiring thought.” I’m not so sure such a thing exists.
But as a person who tries (usually) to be quite devoted to my religious beliefs, I find a strong correlation between Pressfield’s statement about hard work being a part of artistic success, and hard work being a part of increasing faith.
Neither the Muse nor the Spirit are going to hit anyone with a sledgehammer. Therefore the onus is on the one who wants to receive to be prepared.
Common wisdom provides similar guidance “when the student is ready the master will appear.” Can’t make progress unless you’re in a position to receive.
And so committing to daily be in a position to listen, to write, to clean out seems like a good place to start. There is a form of Work to this preparation. And then being ready to follow the path/thought as long as is necessary to accomplish the Work required for the inspiration desired.
What does this look like after a week? A month? A year?
What changes? And how can that change be anything but good?