What do you do when you come up empty?
My pen is poised but I come up empty. Thoughts should be swirling – there are enough ideas to last a life time in the city. But my eyes are not communicating to my brain, and my brain is not communicating to my pen. I feel like I have nothing of substance to say.
It’s this that tells me I need a break, need to rest awhile. My tired body and brain are on overdrive and it shows in my inability to create.
This happens in life. We come up empty. Like being in line at a fruit stand longing for the taste of the golden banana, ripe enough but not too ripe; or the deep red strawberries, plumper than we’ve ever seen – only to find that we have no money; our purse or pockets are empty. The disappointment is acute and though we may try bribing or bargaining our way into the grace of the fruit stand man, we rarely walk away with what we planned.
Unlike the fruit stand, I don’t have to bargain or bribe my way out of this. “Seek the Lord and his strength” I am told in the Book by my bedside. “Seek his presence continually.”* the written words speak and challenge from the page.
My job is to keep writing and rest in the outcome. Keep trusting that words will come, put together just as my Creator intends. And to rest in the God who knows my frame.
I don’t know where you are today – but I know that there are times where life comes up empty and blank. Perhaps this is when we are most willing and ready to have God write our page in words that are powerful with ink that won’t fade.
What do you do when you come up empty?
*1 Chronicles 16:11
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Marilyn R. Gardner 
This often happens to me too. What I find helps is migrating to nature, focusing on “the moment” and being… just breathing and recharging my inner spirit. I find too, that many times I need additional sleep. Our bodies and inner spirit tell us so much about what we need.
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I totally get this – there is something about the ocean for me – sitting and watching the waves come over and over on the sand. The soothing sounds and movement….And ah yes – the sleep – I used to think it was just my mom who thought I needed sleep :) I’ve learned it has everything to do with my emotions and feeling empty. Thanks Lori.
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I sit in a coner and cry and ask why my life is so bad??
Just kidding! I seek the lord via prayer
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Haha! That’ll do it! (the sitting in the corner I mean) Agreed with prayer – it’s just that there are those times when even prayer comes up empty.
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I feel like I’m coming up empty…and it has nothing to do with writing…. it’s to do with energy and capacity and the sustaining grace needed to endure. I know it’s there…but I’m tired these days and I feel empty—again! How is it possible? Was I not just a few weeks ago, so very very full. Perhaps I leak. Perhaps the holes keep me from true holiness. Empty. Full of nothing but longing and weariness.
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I think I leak too! I feel like a colander with all those holes draining pasta….! Maybe it’s the different pace of summer, wonderful as it is that can also be exhausting. But yes, I’m full of longing and weariness as well my friend! Hugs.
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I make a cup of tea. Hasn’t failed me yet!
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That’s perfect! There’s not much that tea can’t fill :) Hey my brother and his wife are moving to your parts! I’m so jealous. He will be an Oxford fellow this next year.
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I usually take a break and do some more plot outlining, haha :) I’m a very outline type of writer.
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Ha! This is great! I’m off to outline and watch something “become”. Thank you!
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I meditate on the conflict or whatever is troubling me and head to my favorite place. The river. There i can walk the shallow river edge and mindfully step to ensure balance while taking in all the calming sounds the river provides. The sparrows swoop and the water rushes over rocks. My thoughts wash away down river until I am left with only what I am concerned with ….then I can think critically about a solution….works every time.
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Bodies of water! Yes. They are healing, life giving, creativity producing….thank you. Have to go by the ocean this weekend and let the waves wash over me!
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I miss the Great Northwest and the Olympic Mtn Range to the Pacific from Seattle for ocean rejuvination.. The ocean seems to work faster and is more powerful as sometimes the river is shallow.
Enjoy the Atlantic. Let it take you away and fill you up.
Cheers.
Sue Ann
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