One of the things I notice, and am now experiencing, is the process of putting myself “out there.” In the age of social media (and high costs), we often measure ourselves and our work in terms of public reception or response as measured by engagement. A dangerous trap.
Since I’ve been interested in “creatives” and leaders for years, I entered into this (Love Letter Podcast and now Substack) knowing that the value of my work and its usefulness may not be best measured by likes, views, or shares, initially, but by how much I enjoyed creating it and how much me is in it.
It can be incredibly disheartening to put so much into something, create the perfect reel, self-publish a book, or put out an EP, and only a couple of people like it or even acknowledge it. Especially if the hope is to one day be paid for it.
As a culture, though, I think we often praise big displays and fiery output over steady, consistent, representative actions when the steady actions demonstrate a trustworthiness and reliability that sells.
I stumbled across a new way of looking at this very concept while out on a walk, through the lens, or sound, of bell towers. Let’s hear what they’ve got for us.
Bell towers have existed since around the 5th century. They were typically attached to or constructed by a church and were erected to call people to prayer, alert people to emergencies, and signal events, celebrations, or deaths.
They also functioned to notify people of the time before watches were affordable and pocket (or wrist) sized. This helped with regulating class schedules, assisting with meeting up with others, and notifying of the arrival of dignitaries.
A few other things to note are that bell towers usually stand at a height that allows the sound to be heard at some distance. They are often used to deliver warnings and are said to have maintained their place in society because of their ability to stir the human soul.
The ringing of the bell, if you’re listening for it, is significant and helpful, however, if not needed (yet), it may go unnoticed, playing in the background.
Now, I’m just musing here, but imagine a new bell tower being installed. At first, it’s novel and new. Its ringing presents a surprising daily intrusion. Cute.
After some time, though, you know that 9 chimes means 9 am, 12 means noon, and 3 after that (I presume) means 3 pm and you begin finding it helpful. Slowly but surely it becomes predictable and reliable.
You begin waiting for the tower’s chiming to signal lunch and the end of the day. Soon the ringing of the bell becomes associated with special moments like the meeting of a lover, a call to prayer, and the song the bells play on holy days.
Before you’re aware, the ringing of the bell, its consistency, tone, and presence have become essential and appreciated.
Bell towers and the bells they house are intentionally designed to perform their distinct, multifaceted function. They add beauty, service, and consistency to the lives of all who hear them. Qualities we would do well to develop.
Because we exist in an ecosystem of stars and the super-talented, we can often easily think our efforts are meager or forgettable. And they might be. However, a bell tower is not valued solely for its Easter song, it’s valued for its enduring, quotidian place in the daily lives of people.
For it’s consistency. For the 3 chimes every afternoon that signal time for coffee.
What we can learn from bell towers is that it is our consistent, repeated, efforts that earn us a place in the hearts and minds of our would-be hearers. It’s our constant showing up that gives people faith that we’ll keep showing up.
It’s our ringing the bell of who we are, over and over and over to the best of our ability and to the extent of our capacity, however fluctuating, until people set their watches by us. Until our chiming causes people to meet up or pick up something they’ve put off for too long.
The point of all this work we’ve been doing is to help us connect with that work, that state of being that we can toll consistently for those meant to hear it. Gently inspiring and moving people to action.
As bell towers stand tall, so, too, must you. Where people can see you, where people can hear you, where people can respond to the sound of your voice and the song of your soul.
The aim is not big moments and huge launches. The goal is to show and tell the world who you are every chance you get in ways that are both small, helpful, and regular; and big, melodious, and moving.
A lesson, I have certainly learned throughout this journey is that the frequency and length of my chiming aren’t sustainable long-term in this specific way, so those are changes I will make based on what I have gained from all this. But now I know that digestible and regular is more endearing and appreciated than overdone and irregular.
So start smaller. Touch more and more frequently. Play the song that is yours to play at a pace that you can keep.
If like a bell tower, you are to ring from now until your easeful departure from this life, what song (or songs) could you gladly ring all your days? What pace would be satisfying for you?
Determine the rhythm of your being. Only you can decide, lest we continue to operate out of sync with our nature and Earth’s.
This is me ringing my bell to let you know it’s time you start ringing the truth of who you are. Loudly.
There are so many waiting for your signal.
Melvyn 🔔