It’s easy to work when the soul is at play

‘It's easy to work when the soul is at play’, Emily Dickinson wrote so beautifully.

Last week it became clear to me again through two completely different events.

First in a conversation with a friend-former client and then by responding to a question for an assignment.

In the first case, the conversation was about the field of spatial planning. Since 2003 I regularly move through the land of spatial planning, in various roles, from photographer to projectcoordinator and vice versa. Sometimes I go away for a while, and then I can see again what is, or is not. Because every time I apparently leave the field of spatial planning for a while, I notice how my heart is there. I also see this in my photo work: I always 'work' from the landscape. I simply can't get a nice picture of, for example, a vase. Unless that vase is in the landscape…

But then it is not work, because to speak with Emily Dickinson: the soul is at play.

The other case was my response to a request for an assignment. In my enthusiasm and because I like a lot, I responded. But was my soul at play? No it wasn't. Result: of course the assignment was not completed. Because the soul ensures that I stay 'at play'. And that last one is a comforting thought, if only I listen to it. Because that is sometimes a challenge.

This way I can now look back on how my past year went. Where it flowed, my soul was at play. In all other cases clearly not.

The great thing about this is that this gives me tools and especially confidence, that listening to my heart, soul or whatever you want to call it, makes life, my life, not so much easier but so much more fun.

I am glad Emily Dickinson is bringing this to my attention again.