Writing From the Unified Field
I was once contracted to write a book for a client. The idea was that we might write it together, but that I would put down the bones. I drew from the company literature, from the person’s stories. I drew the writing from our mutual belief in the world, its unity. What happened with that book, I can’t discuss right now, but the process of co-authoring, of ghost writing, made me understand writing on demand in a whole new way.
Now, you may not see yourself as a writer, but maybe you see yourself as alive. If so, then we have a point of unity, a place where we can relate. Whenever we want to tell a story, in words, video or photos, through dance or a simple wordless gesture, then establishing relationship is the very first key to success. This key, the one of relationship, is what will make people care about all the clever things you have to say and it will help them forgive the way you say them. Unifying yourself with truth is how you will do this. So, whenever you want to tell a story, be present.
It’s true that your elbow hurts? Then start there. Even if your story is about your successful IPO beyond your wildest dreams, if your elbow hurt the whole time, you can share that. You grew your first tomato and you are so incredibly proud? Share that, and tie it into the story of sealing the divorce you didn’t want.
Give people a relatable point and then turn it on its head a little because that is what will surprise people. And surprise is what makes people curious. So, for every logical story, find something true yet surprising. If the story is dark, line it with something bright. If that story is full of joy, give us a sense of contrast, just a hint of it. Pain is not the point, unity is and unity is found in, balancing.
Now, you might think that you’re running for office or maybe you’re trying to get hired for a job. You might think that in all that you’re writing and in all the stories you are spinning that somehow you are doing something — like pushing legislation — and you are. But more than anything, you are giving people something to relate to, and that relationship should make them curious and even a little surprised.
Now, why does this matter to you right now?
The world needs you. It needs you to persist. And it needs you to share your stories of persistence, of your process, not your perfect. And why is that special?
Only you know how you fail and only you know how you hurt. Only you know how to juggle your roles, your needs, talents and all these other things that feel really imperfect and ready to collapse at a moment’s notice. Only you know what your authentic story is right now, this very second. And nobody needs you to share it all, but to share some authentic sliver. It might be for a global audience, it might just be for your kids, but your authentic self is a foundation of insight for someone.
Don’t promise people a perfect you or a perfect experience. Don’t fall for anyone or anything that promises you perfection. Don’t communicate rules that never change, but what you knew or thought at that time.
Now, finally as author and as an audience member, don’t believe in anyone who tells you they are only thinking of you and your best life. Don’t fall for anyone who says they know exactly what you need to think, to say or believe. They can’t do that, and they don’t do that.
Unity comes from diversity. Unified goals come from recognizing no two people want exactly the same things in exactly the same way.
Creating a unified feeling in a story, a nation, in any setting at all is about freedom. Unified stories comes from synthesis, not from censorship.
If someone tells you that unity is about people being the same, thinking alike or simply reacting with the same emotions in the same situations, then their story will turn out boring. They’ll eventually have to resort to shouting at their audiences just to keep them in the room. At some point after that, they’ll have to resort to force. Now imagine if that audience is you.
We were all born to tell stories. We are all here to love and to create things. Sometimes projects fall into disarray. Sometimes cultures fall apart because stories are no longer told, but are shouted.
Relate, surprise and create from a unified place where if you looked into your audiences eyes you couldn’t help but see another type of you, another side of you. And demand that anyone who speaks for you, does it because they see you in them. All the stories we tell, are mirrors.
You can inspire others. You can find the correct words. You can talk about failure and success, and you can do it all in such a way that it floats up towards the skies of a better tomorrow.
