Musing #22: What Scares You to Death?
I'm back after 13 days in the desert.
Things that scare us to death are worth doing.
I don’t like to speak about Burning Man. It’s like Fight Club for me. I don’t talk about it and I do it whenever I can.
I can write poems about it though, that feels more attuned.You can find my latest (and first burning man-inspired) poem here: Warm Hearts. If you like it, don’t be afraid to share it and leave a comment 🙏
Even though I have been to the Black Rock City event many times, I was very scared to go this year. I had all sorts of terrible thoughts convincing me not to go. Too many people, 3 years of lockdown, too much excitement.
Danger! Danger!
I had this feeling that, if I went, I might die. Some accident on the road, a fuel explosion, or maybe falling off an art installation? So dramatic. None of that happened as I live to write this tale.
But die I did ☝️ At least a part of me.
I died and I was reborn…as one does in the desert…to gain knowledge and insights into the troubling waters of life and suffering. I was held by the gentle warm hearts that I did not know, and was the most beautiful lesson. We don’t have to suffer in silence. People actually need to be able to help us, so that they can help themselves.
If only enlightenment could be more straight forward.
And if only the world can be more like this 10 day rich people experiment we call Burning Man.
*sighs and sighs again*
I now understand why my body was so scared of going. It knew that it was going to go through something big, and it would rather hold on to its pain. So my brain tried to convince me not to do it.
Another thing that scares me?
Publishing my writing. I am so scared of it, that I can’t afford not to do it. Getting closer everyday. I'm excited to be back on my Odyssey to write and play with my words. I live for that. I love to write. I can't believe that I wasted so much time of my life not doing this. Perhaps more about burning man in future musings.
Today I ask you, what scares you to death?
Singing? Dancing? Sky Diving? Open Mics? Asking someone out? Quitting something?
When will you do it?
Leave a comment and let the magic of accountability work in your favor!
Working on new life habits? Join me on habitshare. See details below 👇
Sunday Gratitude 🙏
Today a gigantic welcome goes out to Kiva Schweig who is an incredible musician. Listen to his latest album and other tracks here.
Kiva is the youngest Gumption subscriber yet. He has an album, singles and two podcasts produced without even graduating high school yet!
He is killing it at and 16. I wish I am that accomplished when I am 61! Thanks for joining and for making the world a better place with your music, Kiva.
The Artist's Way Week 4 - Back to Business
Haven't really been reading the book or doing any exercises since my last update.
Morning Pages ✅
This tool is GOLD. I concur. Daily exorcism through journaling = Lighter Existence.
Dropped it when I was in the desert but since I have been back, I am killing it again with an 11 day streak again.
Join me on habitshare and let’s keep each other accountable!
Download it, add me (shaker118@gmail.com) and share your habits with me.
Artist's Date ✅:
I woke up one of the nights at 3 am and went out into the open desert and partied. I danced alone, voraciously and intensely. I had loving conversations with myself. I listened to what he had to say. Then I heard angels whisper a poem into my ears. I sat down on the sand, watched my first sunrise and jotted it down on a piece of paper.
See link to Warm Hearts below.
Craft Updates ✅
Book of poems sent out to Beta readers.
Back to editing my novel. It is a trilogy. Yes I'm not afraid to say that anymore. I'm writing a trilogy and I know that’s crazy because I have not even finished one novel yet. But God damn it! I'm writing a fucking trilogy and I'm super excited to be reconnected with Maskat and Jay and the world I started creating 3 years ago.
Podcast progress as well. Samples soon 😘
Thanks for reading, I leave you with Warm Hearts and see you next Sunday.
If you like it, don’t be afraid to share it.
Common now, don’t be shy, yup you got it.. that share button…yup…add your best friend, and send. There you go!
Thank you for spreading my work with the world.
It means a whole lot!
Omar