The following is inspired from a writing exercise from a David Whyte workshop. My Writing Muse, Ron in Indiana, added a twist to the exercise with the ending to the prompt. Enjoy.
It doesn’t matter what others think because they do not hold the desires of my heart in their minds. They only hold their old blueprints, judgments, opinions and value systems.
It doesn’t matter what others think because their ideas are based solely on their exposure. They have not endured my journey through my eyes, so they cannot truly understand the place I am emerging from.
It doesn’t matter what others think because they can only respond to life out of their own history, from their limited experiences. Though compassionate, not one of us can truly step into anothers’ footprint.
It doesn’t matter what others think because I must hold true to what I believe first. If I operate out of the need to please others or avoid conflict, I will lose sight of my path and surely let go of my purpose.
It doesn’t matter what others thhink because man’s thoughts are often not in alignment with God’s thoughts. We are frail humans, broken, undiscerning and off course. I must keep my focus on doing that which honors God. I must call into my movie only the situations and people who guide and help me do this.
Yet, in a sense, how others think can matter, but how they behave when they walk along side you matters even more.
Published by Rebecca Evans
Bio: Rebecca Evans is a memoirist, poet, and essayist. In addition to writing, she teaches Creative Nonfiction at Boise State University and mentors high school girls in the juvenile system. In her spare time, she co-hosts a radio program, Writer to Writer, offering a space for writers to offer tips on craft and life. She served eight years in the United States Air Force and is a decorated Gulf War veteran. She’s hosted and co-produced Our Voice and Idaho Living television shows, advocating personal stories. She’s also disabled, a Veteran, a Jew, a gardener, a mother, a worrier, and more. She has a passion for sharing difficult stories about vulnerability woven with mysticism and hopes to inform, in a new way, what it means to navigate this world through a broken body and spirit.
Her poems and essays have appeared in Narratively, The Rumpus, Entropy Literary Magazine, War, Literature & the Arts, The Limberlost Review, and a handful of anthologies. She’s co-edited an anthology of poems, WHEN THERE ARE NINE, a tribute to the life and achievements of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Moon Tide Press). Her full-length poetry collection, a memoir-in-verse, TANGLED BY BLOOD, will be available in 2023 (Moon Tide Press).
Evans earned two MFAs, one in creative nonfiction, the other in poetry, University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. She lives in Idaho with her sons, her Newfoundlands, and her Calico.
View more posts
Rebecca Evans 
Howie Garrett I think that the truth we create for ourselves is often shaped by the agreements we make with the “truth” offered up by others, whether good or bad. I also think that the only way to gain a real truth and understanding of ourselves, is through the practice of deep introspective thought and meditation and the willingness and desire to cast off the things about us we have agreed to, that no longer serve us, or that hold us back from developing into a healthy, whole person. I think that some people find it difficult to examine themselves deeply and critically, but think that all who are willing to attempt it, can gain insight into their own personal truth. I agree that truth is subjective to each of us, and that each of us must find their own truth, but that it can come about with determined effort, and a willingness to be honest with ourselves…really honest. It is a continuing process, that evolves as time goes on, as we evolve and grow. As far as truth to others, for me it depends on the level of trust shared with another, and my trust in the others ability to accept me as I am. However, I always attempt to be truthful in word, deed, and action. I am talking about deeper levels of trust, the acceptance of my innermost self. Honestly, that is much harder for me, but I am working on it…
LikeLike