The Art of Living without an Eraser

First, a true story:

After 90 days, my inaugural summer workshop series called Gratitude Trifecta: Write. Appreciate. Recalibrate. has come to a close.

I want to thank each of the participants for sharing whole-heartedly, with a true generosity of spirit.

I want to thank the technology gods for helping me to limp through, with my luddite skill set, honed in trial and many errors.

I want to thank the participant who wrote:

I participated in Lorraine’s first Gratitude Trifecta workshop series, for leaders looking to lean into journaling and the practice of giving thanks as strategies for focusing on what truly matters in my work, and in my life.

I loved it.

For me, the summer of 2022 has reconfirmed that in life, as in art, finding the right words takes careful consideration. The summer of 2022 has reaffirmed to many, including our local community leaders – words matter. A lot.

As Trifecta participants committed to their journal writing habits, grappling to distill the essential things, put thoughts and emotions into words, each of us found a little more clarity. This small group of professionals and leaders in their respective fields, closed the series with the gift of these parting words:

“Powerful.”

“Light.”

“Gratitude.”

“Not perfect.

“Not perfect.” he said. “Adding that it might sound like a negative, but is actually a positive. The words continue to ring in my heart.

Not perfect.

A negative comment? Or positive?

If something isn’t perfect, maybe it means it is still growing and on its way to being better.

With room for growth, there is  more to learn.

Participants crafted their words into a final morning of spoken gratitudes. With this sharing, we realize that we are all connected – even when living and working in different parts of the country.

As it turns out, I have a lot in common with leaders in very different lines of work — and I loved bringing their voices and experiences into my own reflections of questions like: work-life balance; how to sit with and respond to discomfort, grief, and difficult knowledge. 

John W. Gardner writes, “Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” Writing in a journal with words that are not quite right, imperfect or inadequate, is a life skill that can help us avoid regret.

With pencils and erasers, we can rehearse for a life that has no delete button; we can prevent ourselves from speaking carelessly. In privacy, we can write with wild abandon. With practice and tenderness, we can find words that are a closer equivalent to living with humility and build inclusion.

Once spoken, the voice cannot be unheard, the knowledge cannot be unlearned, the harsh insult cannot be erased.

By clicking ‘Send’, the rant or blurt of mean-spirited words are published.

• Call it journaling or mindful meditation

• Call it bullet journaling or listing or organizing your thoughts

• Call it a diary and use it for remembering things, dates, times, places

• Call it a notebook useful for organizing tasks, listing your priorities.

• Call it mental hygiene or a deep cleanse for pent-up emotion

The science is clear – writing longhand with a pen in the privacy of your page, will help you gain self-awareness. With better awareness, the dots between your physical, emotional and spiritual selves are wired with greater authenticity. Research also confirms that keeping a written journal is the best way to wire your thoughts with gratitude and wire your brain with a more positive view of your life, purpose and leadership.

Because, as the saying implies – erasers only work in the notebook and once thoughts become spoken words and action, there is no autocorrect.