The Take Away

The Good Life

I’ve got a plate full to accomplish, and as life plays out day-to-day, I find myself drawn more to quiet and solitude, then noise, distraction or drama. It’s an odd position for me, in some ways, because I’ve always been in the midst of the hoopla and seem to operate at my best when there are three rings and a circus surrounding me.

As a creative, it’s too damn easy to be spun into the tangled google of unnecessary details and uselessness.  My success of late is a result of focus and reward, but also of working more on quiet and reflection, acknowledging that I cannot nor won’t get it all done, that I don’t need more attention, and that I get a lot wrong. Creating creative works at any age requires, it seems to me, a sense of groundedness, a connection to compelling ideas that run subcutaneously, that we can’t easily eject, and surrounding ourselves with friends who love us. Then, it’s looking at the work we create with pride, with an itch to get it better and clearer, and a sense of accomplishment when we make something that strikes a chord inside us, and hopefully others.

So, stay focused on the projects, but spend time reflecting and writing.  Have some ideas, for crying out loud, and defend them. Stand up for yourself against the utterly predictable inner critic inside. Engage with those that are grounded, willing, smarter than you, and who aren’t mentally unstable, caustic and dramatic busy bodies. Most of all, love those others, listen with them, hang out with them and give them the best of yourself and try not to let people down.

Well, I have my work cut out for me today, but it’s sunny, my projects are coming along and I’m creating and isn’t that the good life?