Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. — Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters To A Young Poet.
I hinted Friday that this month turned into a delightful adventure. But it certainly did not start out that way!
Initially, I got very excited about having a manifesto and my excitement expanded with the list of manifesto’s that Ali Edward’s team put together. I initially settled on this manifesto and I was feeling very “done and dusted” for the month. And then I tried to recall something… anything… from my selected manifesto and it all that feeling of being done disintegrated. I pulled out the print out of Brené Brown’s Manifesto of the Brave and Brokenhearted but even with diligent reading, I was struggling to retain and, more importantly, recall it if I did not have it right in front of me.
It then occurred to me that only a manifesto that I spend the time to think about, create, and use as a reminder will actually accomplish what a manifesto should. I needed to make it my own and memorize it so that it becomes part of my days.
I started by making two lists… one of I Am things. And one list of I Want To Be things. And first and foremost I reminded myself of the wisdom of Rilke… to live the questions, because I have lots of questions, uncertainties, and so many self-inauthenticities. Yet Rilke’s gentle reminder that if I am living the questions, gradually I will discover that I am the answers, the certainty, and yes… An Authentic Self!
So I present My Authenticity Manifesto:
Or course my I Am list was miles long… so I did some editing. I think this I Am list is important, because so many of those things I did not always use as a way to identify myself. Many of them are things that I worked at for a very long time…but, as Rilke says, I eventually became the answer.
I selected these I Am’s to remind myself that the I Want To Be list is entirely possible… if I just keep going, trying, imagining, doing!
And so I have settled in with my word nicely. Is there work to be done? Absolutely! But I am so excited that I have 10 more months to be with my word.
I am also thankful that Carolyn provides us all a space to share how our word is progressing. I always find so many ideas and inspiration in the OLW community!
See you all back here on Wednesday!
I can imagine that it would be extremely difficult to create your own manifesto if you don’t have a secure sense of who you are and who you want to be, so I think you are on the right track. I am looking forward to watching this journey you’re on this year.
Nicely done Kat! And, nicely worded (HA!). I’m guessing that some of your *greens* become *red* over the coming year. It will be fun to watch your progress! And, maybe, down the road, you can show an “updated” manifesto!
I have been so excited for this post since you hinted at it last week! At the mention, I had (erroneously) assumed the prompt was to write your own manifesto. I see, now, it was to choose (or?) write one? I completely get how you came to this, that…to create your own was the only way to live it. What riches. What fuel for the next 10 months (+)!
I can I imagine that it must be nigh impossible to fit your self to another’s manifesto. I love how you developed your own. Looking forward to how you go forwards now.
I always think of a manifesto as personal and meaningful, so bravo for writing your own! Yours is much better for YOU!
I love that you took this to the next level and really made it about YOU!
This is such a great idea! I love it. And I’m excited to see your journey as you begin to claim a few of those “I want to be” statements!
Writing your own manifesto is a great idea. I love the way you began with “I am and went on to “I want to be.”
What a beautiful, meaningful, and deeply personal manifesto, Kat. I think this will be such an important “guidepost” for you . . . all year long. Well done, my friend! XO
I am inspired by your manifesto! I know you will be successful 🙂
A manifesto — brilliant!