|
Is it inspiration or perspiration? Sometimes it flows so easily that you wonder how the tap could ever be turned off, and other times it feels like the rust is so thick that the nozzle will never be open again. Here's the thing that I have found to be true over and over again; when the noise in our peripheral, be it mental or physical, is too loud, the only way forward towards meaningful art and meaningful creativity is to clear the air of chaos, so listening can take place anew. Sometimes physical activity can be the key, taking a walk etc, other times it can be a meditation practice, and sometimes it is simply time. I can't tell you how many times I've picked up the guitar or sat down at the piano to simply get up again ten minutes later. In those moments, it's not the outcome that matters, it's the fact that I showed up and attempted. Sometimes we might need to attempt ten or twenty times before we get that wonderful feeling of creative focus that can well up, other times it will simply appear. I know that if I don't show up, and if I didn't do my homework on clearing the noise, there is no creative outcome that is possible. A simple trick can sometimes be a simple mind re-frame. I tell artists I work with all the time "now is the time to be the creator, not the editor". The two serve very different functions, and oftentimes the editor speaks up too soon. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Nick
|
