Look and you will -Sophocles
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Creative Questing Newsletter Accomplishments come in many sizes. There are the little ones, such making it to the gym three times a week, and the big ones such as actively pursuing a lifelong dream or goal. All the accomplishments in our lives are worthy of acknowledgment. For it’s the little ones that lead to the big ones. It can be a great kindness to ourselves to recognize even the smallest accomplishments. When we can recognize each small accomplishment, we can see how we are moving closer to our goals and dreams; and perhaps feels even more inspired. And it is the small accomplishments that lead to the big ones- to the masterpieces. In terms of art, masterpieces don’t just happen (most of the time). A masterpiece is the result of inspiration followed by a lot of effort, a journey through the creative process. The creative process requires a period of preparation which includes research and gathering materials. For one who feels creatively blocked or challenged, taking that first step toward an artistic endeavor is in itself an accomplishment. Actually one could say the same about completion of every step. Art needs the willingness to commit, to continue staying connected to what one has set out to do. This is true when we set out to make manifest any goal or dream in our lives. An artistic masterpiece, a dream, a desire of our heart, begins with an idea, an inspiration. In mythic terms, it is what calls one on the journey. The idea comes and asks to be responded to. The word respond is from the root word “spondere”, which means to pledge or commit. To respond to an inspiration with us is in a sense to commit to acting on it, to be willing to see where it takes us. Will we choose to do so? If we do commit to taking action, do we know exactly how we’ll achieve what we set out to do? Hopefully not. “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.” “If you do anything you know you can do, you’re not doing anything.” The very nature of art asks us to be willing to not know. Actually, there are many things in our lives that may ask us to face the unknown. Every time we learn something new, we are facing our own not knowing. Do you remember the first time you learned how to ride a bike, or a new dance step, or perhaps a foreign language. What about being willing to ask a question that seems impossible to answer? One definition of creativity is to make possible that which was thought to be impossible. I used to believe that creating art was all in the actual doing of it. I would sit down and start drawing and wonder why there was only so far I could go. The doing, I learned, is only one part of the process, albeit a most important part. Art asks us to be in dialogue, to listen, to allow things to happen. "Creative endeavors can never thoroughly be mapped out ahead of time. One has to allow for the suddenly altered landscape, change of plan, accidental spark- see it as a stroke of luck rather than disturbing a perfect scheme." "I put the first brushstroke on the canvas. After that, it is up to the canvas to do at least half the work." We are in dialogue with what we create, as well as with the world around us. Ongoing ideas that become part of our art can come from anywhere. all can be inspiration for the next step. Being able to listen and notice is a form of accomplishment, and becomes a path to further accomplishment. What if we apply these ideas to how we create our lives? What if we are in dialogue with what is around us all the time? Imagine the masterpiece our lives could become. Imagine what we could accomplish. Tips
© 2005 Creative Quest Studio
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