Cycles of creativity

It has been a while since I have written, painted or read much.  My creative/meditative time lately has been focused on home improvement projects.   We have changed some surfaces, rearranged what we have to breathe new life into it and of course treasure hunted for some great finds!

I realize that while I crave variety in my days/weeks, I am often singly focused when I’m working on a special project and go through cycles where my creative passions shift.

What brings me into each new cycle?  For painting, its when the mood and inspiration strikes, usually when I have a reason to paint and something to paint.    Since I love to learn, my cycle of learning/reading shows up often when I’ve had great conversations with friends or colleagues about a topic I want to learn more about.  That leads to exploring other things I want to learn and just reading for pleasure.   Writing is more challenging for me.  It’s not something I love but something that I love having done.  When I see, hear or experience something interesting and thought provoking is what helps me step into the cycle of writing.

What cycles of  introspection or self expression do you experience?

My Journey From Comfort to Possibility

Starting my business was a key turning point in my own  journey from comfort to possibility.

Being employed by a university was my comfort zone and it served me well for many years.  But I found myself being curious about what else was out there – in a new place, a new career.  Starting my own business was not something I had ever thought about before.  It was way out of my comfort zone to not have a steady predictable income but my curiosity soon turned to excitement once I learned more about what possibilities existed for me. 

Was there fear?  Absolutely!  So I started learning just enough to start, but not too much to get me overwhelmed.  I stayed focused on one (or three) steps at a time, not looking at the next 100.  As I completed steps, I added some new ones, all the while keeping the journey exciting, challenging, but manageable. 

This tactic kept me focused and on track whenever I questioned “what am I doing”!?  And believe me there were plenty of those moments especially that first year.

The beauty of my business journey is that it is ongoing.  Yes I am always looking a few steps ahead but very much enjoying the day to day as well as the process as it unfolds.

Where are you on your journey?

Enjoy the scenery

I was watching a Christmas movie recently, The Bishops Wife with Cary Grant.  As he and the lead female character in the movie were taking a cab ride the cab driver made a comment that stayed with me:  it went something like this “the trouble with the world today is that some people don’t know where they’re going and are in a hurry to get there while others know exactly where they’re going yet take their time and enjoy the scenery on their way”.

What struck me the most about the statement is this movie was that it was uttered when the movie was created in 1947!  Not much has changed has it, despite how different the world seems today.

That statement is certainly true for many of us today isn’t it.  Some of us (and sometimes we all fall into this place) we want to move forward so quickly, even though we are not sure of the direction we are taking.  Sometimes (hopefully) we allow ourselves to savor the experience without rushing to the destination. 

Which is more true for you right now?