A literary barn raising

There is incredible, beautiful art flowing into my mailbox from around the world. The diversity of the creative spark that has gone into these works is just astounding to me. It’s clear from each one how much thought and mindfulness has informed them. I am humbled by this offering: truly, deeply humbled. You’ll see some of that art here after the dust settles.

My friend Mike wrote last night about what is happening around the creation of this book: "Your book is like a literary barn raising. You supply the raw materials and others can help in the assembly." It is a perfect description: I am a prairie woman whose neighbors have come over to help raise up the barn. Here we stand in all the rooms. Soon, the sun will start to set, I’ll lay out a fabulous vegan feast and some hot cider. A fiddle player with a wide-brimmed hat will get us all up square-dancing together for hours. Then we’ll collapse into our simple beds, exhausted and sore and oh, so happy. And tomorrow, we’ll go help another neighbor with their barn.

My deepest gratitude, not only for the artists who are gracing me with their immense gifts, but to those who have, over these past few years, sent words of connection, of encouragement about my words here. You are all participating in this barn raising, bless you.

One of the participating artists, Jennifer, reminded me this morning of a favorite quote of mine from Martha Graham. She was quoting it to speak of anxiety about her own creative process; I believe it also speaks so well to my process this week, all those exhilirating moments of gratitude and all those moments of self-doubt, too:

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel only. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open…"  -Martha Graham