Listening.

It’s raining outside. 

The dog just gruffed at me, gave me a look of disapproval after noting the mess on my bed where she cannot sleep, and then walked out.

I am supposed to be asleep by now, but I’m not.

I just finished watching a movie for the third night in the past 5 days. I have an affinity for books, but appreciate a great film as well.

I’ve watched three different romantic movies. I do not believe it’s a coincidence that I have chosen them. A few months ago I would not have been able to do so.

Tonight was Stuck in Love, a film of which I had not previously heard of. It’s about a family of writers. The language of the movie was enchanting at moments.

I spent the entire day reading and writing. I was supposed to venture back south to downtown for my last day in Seattle, but I was feeling overwhelmed by people and my spirit needed some nurturing. So I listened to it and stayed at home.

I just finished a chapter about women finding their truest selves, their innate, wild, unique beauty. I’m also reading a book a friend gifted me by Emily P. Freeman about discovering the art you were made to live. (I think that’s actually the tag line verbatim.) And I’m in the middle of Quiet by Susan Cain.

It is interesting when God orchestrates the universe in such a way that all things in your life seem to come together to deliver one unified message.

This message?

“You are a uniquely beautiful artist. I created you to need time alone. You need this time to express the deepest desires of your heart. All of the swirling thoughts in your head, I put them there. They are chaotic at times, but only when you do not take the time to listen to them and spend time doing something with them. I gave you the gifts I have intentionally, it is time you awoke to all the beauty I designed within you and use it. Be courageous. Go into the world radiant as I have made you.

Love, God.”

So I am listening.

~~~~~ 

Tomorrow morning I board a plane for New York City. I am beyond stoked (yes, I said stoked) about getting to see some of my most favorite guys! And the City is a bonus too! 

Happy Wednesday to all of you waking up on the East Coast! See you in six days!

~~~~~

“We’re all misfits here … Halfies and homos and hopeless romantics, the outcast and outrageous and terminally weird. That’s where art comes from. From our weirdnesses and our differences, from our manic fixations, our obsessions, our passions. From all those wild and wacky things that make each of us unique.”

{Terri Windling, Welcome to Bordertown}