“Experimenting allows me to do things I wouldn’t normally do… I
try things! And I will have some discoveries when I experiment.”
~ Laurie Mattila,
M.S.Ed., Career Counselor, Founder of Discovery Writing
Laurie’s work is about listening, and paying attention to what you are hearing - then trusting enough in what you hear to experiment. Laurie makes it a practice to experiment often. Her proposal for her 1st Discovery Writing class almost 20 years ago was an experiment; finding a permanent home for her classes at the Purple Table was another experiment; offering an annual retreat was another. Discovery Writing is process writing in which you listen for themes and patterns. These generate ideas about little experiments to move forward in your life, following that inner pull to try things. This results in increased awareness and learning. Discovery Writing is the vehicle for transformation; experimenting enriches your life. She offers a writing experiment in each newsletter that she publishes on her website. www.lauriemattila.com/newsletter/
Kate’s Turn:
Adding a new voice to our blog by
including my interview with Laurie is also an experiment. This opens to new energy, a fresh
perspective. Laurie said she
remembers being disappointed with chemistry class experiments; they were
linear, with a specific method, expecting specific outcomes. Her experiments are more playful, no
right or wrong way, no judgment on the discoveries made – and they must be
comfortable – small steps, little ways to adjust and play with how you are in
the world, so more can be a part of your life. They are about enjoyment, about letting things spark a
curiosity to explore newness – to get more comfortable in the not knowing. Not working but rather playing in an
experiment fosters a freedom and joy in discovery; paying attention to what
results increases your awareness. This awareness must be present for change to occur; it opens up a new
set of choices that can result in empowerment and confidence, a greater
enjoyment of life. She states: You can set up little experiments in any activity to gain confidence “I’m
the boss of me”. What happens if
I_______? Regardless of outcome, you
get a really good feeling about having tried something and are much more likely to try again. If you have one idea, you’ll have more. That person isn’t stuck...they have chosen to do something, to
learn, to discover for themselves, instead of ruminating/dreaming without any
action.
Laurie
says: Stay small even though most believe it should be quite big … but
then people back away. Start with some
little experiments. That is good news to many people: start small. People think of
experiments as a big risk; they tend to make them so loaded that it becomes
impossible to choose to act. Laurie recommends experiments that are of minimal impact, ones that fit
into your life with little disruption but still take you out of your comfort
zone just a little. Examples she
gave were: volunteering just 2
hours/week; take a class; go on a field trip. One of Laurie’s ideas for experimenting is the $25 fund: use this limited amount to get supplies and materials, add
it to your idea and imagination, and try something new.
Laurie
connects experiment with creativity this way: When people do things they might not have done before….when
they try things, that creative energy is unleashed. They want to go back there…it was so much fun. Not to duplicate the experience but to experience that wonderful way of being. You feel so alive! Engaged with life in the moment.
Get Fired Up:
Now it’s your turn! Set up a little
experiment – change up a routine – take little steps to discover-ease of your
own. And comment to let us know
how your creative energy has been unleashed.
"You are the
laboratory and every day is an experiment. Go and find what is new and unexpected." –Joel Elkes
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