-An exclusive excerpt from Allen’s new book-
When a project or season ends, we can become restless for what’s next. That’s understandable—but it isn’t unavoidable. What if, instead, we pondered the future from a place of rest rather than restlessness? I’m reminded of this story from author Peggy Noonan’s blog in The Wall Street Journal:
At a recent 100th birthday party, a man shared wisdom with friends. He said there are two words we don’t honor enough. One is “over” and the other is “next.” There’s a kind of hammock between the two and it is right now, this moment we’re sharing. He was saying: Be present. But as he talked, I heard embedded within his words a layer of advice. That it’s actually a key skill to be able to see when something’s over, when it’s the past, not the future; that you have to have eyes that can find the next area of constructiveness, which may take time; and in the time between—the hammock—you must maintain your peace and poise.
What a magnificent invitation. Not to do nothing, but to give yourself time to ponder possibilities while resting in a hammock that hangs between the past and the future. Perhaps that’s one reason our friend lived to celebrate his hundredth birthday.
But the hammock isn’t just available after we complete a major project. It’s a place to ponder if it’s time for a change. As Peggy Noonan stated,“It’s actually a key skill to be able to see when something’s over, when it’s the past, not the future.”
We all have our treadmill of productivity. What if we added a real hammock as our place of refuge and reflection? This is especially helpful during this stage of the creative process where you're releasing what you've done into the world—and releasing your expectations for what comes next.
(From The Creativity Glitch: How to Stop Being Stuck, Find Your Groove, & Create with God. Copyright © 2026 Allen Arnold.)
This reading was crafted to encourage your pursuit of story and creativity with God. Your donation makes this crowd-funded initiative possible. You can support it via PAYPAL (or by check to Allen Arnold at PO Box 62841, Colorado Springs, CO 80962).
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