BlissQuest: Calling Your Tribe to You

Yep. This was a healthy breakfast.

Listening to: Annie Lennox names this as her favorite song of songs.

Bliss: Learning a lesson this week instead of six months from now: when I am at home all the time, writing and working on creative projects, it can take me a long time to realize that I am not respecting my own schedule, thinking that because I don't have an office to go to that I am available to everyone whenever they want to see me. Okay. I learned that this week. I am done with that. Let's move on.

(This post is in response to the 8th secret, Partnerships and Alliances, in our 12 Secret Book Club.)

As many of you know, my most important alliance is with my partner, Marcy. I am lucky enough to have found my greatest emotional connection with the same person who is also my greatest creative connection. She would say the same.

I would never be writing what I write or how I write if it weren't for her influence and constant support. She would say that she would never be painting or writing if I hadn't convinced her to try.

A true alliance of souls is happening on a daily basis in our wee and beautiful house.

Daily, we talk to one another about absolutely everything.

Daily, we review with one another where we are and where we want to be.

When we are gestating new ideas, we share the process, bouncing possibilities back and forth, back and forth like one of those small rubber balls that comes with a Jacks set.

As soon as I write anything new, it is handed over to Marcy, who is a perfect balance of nurturer and critic.

On a practical level, Marcy, right now, works at the public library. This is the money that pays our bills. Sure, there is art money, but that is the extra, you know? The library money is the basis for how I can stay at home and concentrate on the art.

Now, here's the really weird part about my relationship with Marcy: we've been in each other's lives since high school and didn't even know it.

I've been watching a bunch of Joseph Campbell lectures lately about Hinduism and yoga and Buddhism and reincarnation and karma. He talks about how, from life time to life time, we will be running into the same set of people, needing something from one another over and over.

And if you look at our little writing group that meets weekly in this house, you can get a glimpse into that.

First of all, Marcy and I went to the same high school and had many of the same friends but did not meet until years later and then, of course, recognized who we were to one another immediately.

I've mentioned before that a writing group is something I said, out loud, that I needed and then it came into my life with ease within about four months.

The group we have now is special. Each of us a vital component; each of us bringing essential skills -- and I don't really mean editing skills.

The most vital role this group plays in our lives is that we are encouraging one another weekly to keep moving forward with dreams that most people think are made of smoke.

Here are the other players, whom I will give nicknames (meant to be lighthearted yet representative of some truth) to protect their daily, real world identities!

Dr. Captain America is the only man in the group and he likes to tease that he needs another guy but I think he secretly loves his singularity. Dr. Captain America is the definition of gregarious and nurturing, but he is also a rockin' editor.

By the way, Dr. Captain America, it turns out, was a Resident in my parents' medical practice, and I remember meeting him briefly years ago. Crazy!

Mother Superior of the Divine Knitting Needles is the newest member of the group. She has already taught me so much about being open and free with your faith. She is radiant with hers and brings warmth to any room she enters. She is tough, tenacious, willing, and honest. (She is NOT a nun!)

It turns out that my ex worked for Mother Superior's husband's company and that she and I met briefly years ago. Again...CRAZY!

Anne of Green Gables is the only member that I did not know before we got together, but considering the rest of the group and me, I am thinking we just haven't hit upon it yet. Now Anne of GG is passionate and feisty and silly and smart and has nothing but beautiful intentions.

I adore each of these people and I am thankful that they are here, on this ride, with me.

I used to envy the whole Hemingway/Fitzgerald etc. thing that happened in Paris in the early part of the 20th century, and I used to think that it couldn't happen here, in Erie, that that was Paris, for goodness' sake.

I was wrong. I have a tribe; I've had one all along...I just had to call out and there it was.

Have you called for your tribe yet? What's holding you back?