Emerging Creatively

It's a blogosphere cliche to make the obvious comment that it's been a while since I've posted. Between being hit by a couple of severe illnesses and some internal struggles, I've been at best unfaithful to my goals for this site. 

Nevertheless I'm regaining the desire to fight back and resume my purpose in establishing this blog. Which is really kind of the point of my designation for this year being dedicated to completion/ follow through of projects, goals and aims. 

I was inspired today by a TEDTalk given by Elizabeth Gilbert, primarily known for her book, "Eat, Love, Pray." I'd heard her on a radio chat show talking about the mystery of creativity/genius but I hadn't heard the entire presentation as presented here. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius

I love her take on the creative process and the conclusions she puts forward to just keep showing up and do what is your responsibility to do and leave the inspiration to show up or not. Do your part and do it to your highest ability. That's all you have control over. 

Take a listen and see if she doesn't inspire you, too. 

True genius?

According to Albert Einstein, "The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."

This is my thought for today (kind of appropriate for Pi Day - 3.14.16). If this is true, why does it matter and what does it mean for me today?  Tomorrow? Next week?

If I know facts, those facts are sometimes immutable (if I jump off a roof, I will fall to the ground - there's no arguing with gravity) and sometimes the observation or opinion of some person. If we only lived by established facts, not only would life be boring but there would be no curiosity. If there is no curiosity with its attendant questions and imaginings, there would be no growth, no adventure. 

I don't want to live in a world like that. As scary as change and as questionable as some "advancements" are, I would rather deal with the fallout and live where imagination can take us. 

Butterfly Circus

There are things we think about ourselves that no one else knows about.  There are limitations we put on ourselves because of what we believe about ourselves.  For some of us, those limitations are stronger than for others.  For some of us, when we're praised by other people or acknowledged for something we've done well, in the back of our minds is a voice that says, "If only they knew.  If only they knew what I'm really like."  I've heard people talk about feeling like a fraud when their character or accomplishments are acknowledged in a positive way.

Our way out of that place is to occasionally do things that scare us.  When praised and hearing that voice, speak back to it and call it a liar.  Not one of us is perfect and not one of us comes from a place of perfection (regardless of appearances).  Take time to watch the following video when you can be present and really pay attention to the details and may you find your Butterfly Circus.

Inspiration

Jack London said, "You can't wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club."

@Hey-Jamie posted on Twitter, "Inspiration is a funny thing. Sometimes it chases you and sometimes you have to chase it."

Jim Carey said, "Life opens up opportunities to you and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them."

How you expect to interact with inspiration - waiting for it to hit, going to get it or recognizing when it pops up and taking the plunge - dictates your creative life. 

Good advice

Old Scottish adage:

The new weaver also learns by their mistakes. A fault, once found and fixed, will never be flawed for long. 

Speed of change

I saw this image today when I was searching for images to use for a slide that is going to talk about progress made on a project and it resonated with me so much I wanted to share. 

I don't know about you but I get impatient. When I decide to do something, I just want to do it and be done. Unfortunately things don't always work like that. 

Sometimes it takes laying foundations (learning new skills, understanding history, putting things in context) to accomplish goals. 

Sometimes it takes building layer by layer (strengthening relationships, clarifying direction, making adjustments). 

Sometimes it takes time to finish properly to seal the progress so that it stands the test of time and use. 

Those sometimes take time. I have to remember that, even if progress is slow, it's progress. This has become my year of completion. I have a number of projects that have languished or been allowed to fall by the wayside. My goal this year is to break through and complete these projects that, to be honest, aren't going to be earth shattering except to my personal life and self esteem. But that's reason enough to progress, however slowly that might happen. 

Stumbling Blocks

When you're trying to live a creative life, there are plenty of things that will try to stand in your way. What I'm discovering is that often the most effective stumbling blocks are the ones I put in my own way.  As I attempt to step out in areas of my life, I have every intention of following through.  I can see myself doing that thing but I realize that I'm very good at sabotaging myself.

It's not important to go into details here of why that's happening but I'm realizing that I jolly well better figure out why I'm doing it or I'm not going to be able to fulfill my own dreams and fully spread my wings.

What about you?  Do you have good intentions to accomplish a goal but find yourself falling short? There could be reasons such as needing to increase your skill level or making the right contacts.  But it may be that  you're getting in your own way.

I've decided that this is my year to face my self-sabotage and overcome it so the things I've been dreaming of can find their way to the light of day.  I suspect it's going to be a hard year full of soul searching but if I can find my way, it will all be worth it.