Ground Zero: Fledgling Lessons Learned Part 2

Guest Blogger: Author: Amanda I. Greene

Reflections of a Kickstarter Project

The lesson from Week 1 of the Kickstarter project (see Fledgling Lessons Learned), about creating a non-squishy strategy has been really powerful. In fact, it has been my focus for the past two weeks. I started elaborating on it bit in my Kickstarter Update (#5) to my backers on Sunday and it has since evolved further. 

But before I get into that, I promised in my last blog post, Fledgling Lessons Learned, that when I found new fitting Owl pictures to depict the next stages of the process, I would share them. Well, here is a relatively accurate depiction in owl imagery :o)

Confused Owl

Dreaming of this….

Resisting doing this….

The Non-Squishy Strategy

The non-squishy strategy I've found is not what you might expect a non-squishy (i.e. more developed/concrete) strategy to be. But it is the basis of which all other types of strategy, such as planning, marketing and networking, will naturally evolve. It is the firm foundation out of which things can move forward more clearly and "in the flow." 

The strategy is actually one of the lessons that Squishy Blueberry is introduced to in the first book, Reflections of a Blueberry. Simply said: Follow Your Joy. Meaning follow your heart, what lights you up! And this, although sounds simple, can require a lot of work (e.g. meditation) if you have spent the majority of your adult life disconnected from your creative flow, your internal compass, and not knowing what your inner voice really wants or even feels. 

What Squishy was trying to tell me!

Squishy Blueberry is always a few steps ahead of me because he represents what I imagine I'd experience if all that I've learned in life was fully integrated and embodied within me. One time Squishy shared with me the following simple rhyme that I'm now devoted to understanding more fully: 

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Follow your heart
and you know before long
it will carry you gently
like a harmonious song.
Sung from chords
from the beyond the beyond
chords of the heart
that know where you belong.

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For the Love of Nonsense and Squishiness

So what is my joy? After running in several circles, a lot of meditation, a recent inspirational phone call from a dear friend, and some Jack Kerouac quotes which I will share shortly. one of my new understandings is this: 

I love the abstract, where the everythingness and nothingness of it all becomes nearly non-sensical in its truth. It doesn't matter what that means. But it is in fact the energy of where Squishy Blueberry was born - wondering what it might be like to be an electron disappearing and reappearing in the world of our dreams. This imagery is even touched upon in Reflections of a Blueberry and may be another clue as to why to continue focusing on the first book before jumping into the second.

It was these Jack Kerouac's quotes which brought me back into that zone:

A Foundation of Connecting To Your Joy, Talents, Dreams

The new realization, about focusing more on the nonsensical abstract side of Squishy Blueberry, is both related and in addition to the other discoveries I've made on this Kickstarter journey - such as redirecting focus on Reflections which holds more of the essence of Squishy Blueberry; and to make an interactive book or animated short based on it - because my fondest memories in childhood were in making videos and playing make believe.  Remember, no matter how disconnected from one's true desires one may be - one's greatest memories in childhood and formative years is as good as gold, as far as a sign for where one's joy, talents, uniqueness and life purpose resides.

All of these new ideas and plans are based on the foundation of following the heart. So, in this new strategy, the important thing is that the very first questions of all decision-making be something along the lines of:

• "Does this feel good?" 
  
• "Do I feel passionate about this?" 
  
• "Is this something where I can be in my zone of genius?"
  
• "Will this, regardless of whether it pays for food, fulfill me?"

And only after these questions are answered will the planning and serious strategizing commence.

These Questions Aren't To Be Put Off For "When You Have Time"

These question may seem like a luxury to think about for people working full time jobs and raising children. But the fact of the matter is, this is not a luxury but a necessity for the place where I find myself now in a world whose only structure is that which I impose on it. And I believe we are all faced with the enigma of following our joy, no matter how much or how little structure our life has. It's perhaps not about what we do from 9-5, but maybe it's how we approach what we do, or the conversations we have during that time, or what we choose to do outside of those hours. 

"It's not easy being green"

In many ways a completely empty slate and few commitments - the endless options - can be overwhelming and seem like a curse as much as a blessing. But it is important to find your joy and follow your heart no matter what your life looks like. You are a once-in-an-eternity creation in the universe! And how tragic to go through life without knowing what truly brings you joy.

And with this, I will close with another Jack Kerouac quote that's not exactly  related, but today I am not going to worry about it.

Jack Kerouac

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Thankful for this…support from loved ones

Owl Image sources: coming soon