I’m back. It has been a month since I last posted. And I am sure you all missed me While I know the number one rule of blogging is to write on a regular basis, I needed the break to be a better contributor to the field of storytelling and honestly - a better person. I was in a fairly introspective mood for the last month and thought a lot about my personal and professional goals.

I have a better appreciation now for self-reflection; especially, in this world of non-stop communications through email, texting, IMing and of course carrier pigeon.

Why do we need to set aside time for focused self-reflection?

I think mythology guru Joseph Campbell explained it best when he suggested everyone needs a place where you forget the news of the day, the drama with friends and what you owe others. He said “this is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation.”

Campbell actually goes onto suggest many stories of the Bible are meant to teach us about looking inward. Somewhat controversially, he points out that Jesus could not have literally ascended to heaven. “But if you read ‘Jesus ascended to heaven” in terms of its metaphoric connotation, you see that he has gone inward - not into outer space but into inward space, to the place from which all being comes, into the consciousness that is the source of all things, the kingdom of heaven within. The images are outward, but their reflection is inward.”

I will refrain from opining myself on this matter of whether the BIble should be taken literally or as a collection of lessons told through stories. However, I will go as far as to say focused introspection is quite a spiritual event.

As you can tell, my time in creative incubation has led me to some deep thoughts. I will try to balance my profundity with wit, charm, verve and some dick and fart jokes. So stay tuned.