If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. - E.B. White
I've been hanging out in this liminal space of late, toggling between a life with more leisure and a life of service. It's a privileged space to be in, and one I can feel guilty about- the time to contemplate ideas, the choice to engage or not. It makes me want to chronicle what I have accomplished since announcing my sabbatical. It would help me feel justified in my existence to list all the ways I am not a lady of leisure. But since I'd like to find a new relationship with productivity equaling worthiness, I will resist.
I haven't written a public word since November. To write can be seductively sweet and bitterly challenging. I've usually made it the later though exacting standards and by not having a regular practice. This meant that every time I wrote a blog post, I did so from a standing start. My objectives were to market my business, to inform or to educate, and sometimes enlighten. I am intrigued what writing can become for me if I drop perfection, practice often and write for the sake of capturing and arranging words that tell stories and solidify memories and learning.
That I am writing now is only because Peter created this URL and did all the leg work to set me up. For decades (and way before I knew him) he has beautifully woven his own words together to share his enjoyment of the world while working to improve it all the while. I am grateful he's tenaciously led me here and inspired me to write more too.
In this space, I want to write for me. I intend to be honest, playful, exploratory, bold and creative. I intend to share beauty and heartache. I am curious who LisaChandler.is becoming as I find my own path, perhaps quite a different path, of world enjoyment and improvement. I relish the idea of creating a body of words that brings me much enjoyment and also helps me improve the world. We'll see.
For now, I'll press publish on post #1.