Dear Ones -
I was doing an interview the other day for BIG MAGIC, and someone asked me if I practice my creativity in any other way except writing. For a moment, I balked, because I thought, "Jeez...do I?" I'm so obsessed with writing, and so deeply committed to that vocation, and so focused on that profession, that for a moment I thought, "Nope. I'm just a writer."
Then I remembered the collages that I make, whenever I'm having a rough day and I want to cut and paste my through the frustration. (I am a demon with the Modge-Podge, I tell you!)
Then I remembered how much I dance these days — whether it's at Zumba, around the house, at the wheel of the car, or when I'm visiting my friend Rob Bell. (Some of you may have seen that incriminating video on Instagram....ahem.) You guys, I can't dance well. I was raised in Connecticut — what do you want from me? But I dance. I dance more now than I did when I was 20 years younger.I don't have enough time in my life anymore not to dance.
Then I remembered Karaoke! My church! Singing — even badly — releases stuff inside me that I usually didn't even now needed releasing.
Then I remembered the poems I've been secretly writing recently, and hiding in drawers. Writing poetry is not the same thing as writing books. I don't really know how to do write poems. But I've been doing it, anyhow.
Then I remembered my garden, all abloom with useless beautiful flowers, for no reason whatsoever.
Then I remembered my soup. I don't know how to explain what making soup reveals in me (or about me) but seriously? I make really creative soup.
Then I remembered this Facebook page, which is another expression of creativity.
In other words —it's everywhere.
And it damn well better be everywhere, or else my life will steadily grow smaller, darker, harder.
Yesterday on my MAGIC LESSONS podcast, you heard Brené Brown say, "Unused creativity is not benign." And many times you have heard me say, "Any talent you have but do not use becomes a burden on your life." (And for those of you who say, "Yes, but I have no talents!", let's change the sentence to read: "Any creative curiosity you have but do not express becomes a burden on your life.")
So use it. Sing. Dance. Draw. Write. Bake. Sew. Craft. Carve. Sculpt. Create.
There is only one form of creative expression that I'm legitimately good at, and that's writing. But the rest of it I do because I must do it. Because it all grows my soul. Because I may be a professional writer, but that's just my day job.
What's my real job?
I AM IN THE SOUL-GROWING BUSINESS.
As we all should be.
ONWARD,
LG
I was doing an interview the other day for BIG MAGIC, and someone asked me if I practice my creativity in any other way except writing. For a moment, I balked, because I thought, "Jeez...do I?" I'm so obsessed with writing, and so deeply committed to that vocation, and so focused on that profession, that for a moment I thought, "Nope. I'm just a writer."
Then I remembered the collages that I make, whenever I'm having a rough day and I want to cut and paste my through the frustration. (I am a demon with the Modge-Podge, I tell you!)
Then I remembered how much I dance these days — whether it's at Zumba, around the house, at the wheel of the car, or when I'm visiting my friend Rob Bell. (Some of you may have seen that incriminating video on Instagram....ahem.) You guys, I can't dance well. I was raised in Connecticut — what do you want from me? But I dance. I dance more now than I did when I was 20 years younger.I don't have enough time in my life anymore not to dance.
Then I remembered Karaoke! My church! Singing — even badly — releases stuff inside me that I usually didn't even now needed releasing.
Then I remembered the poems I've been secretly writing recently, and hiding in drawers. Writing poetry is not the same thing as writing books. I don't really know how to do write poems. But I've been doing it, anyhow.
Then I remembered my garden, all abloom with useless beautiful flowers, for no reason whatsoever.
Then I remembered my soup. I don't know how to explain what making soup reveals in me (or about me) but seriously? I make really creative soup.
Then I remembered this Facebook page, which is another expression of creativity.
In other words —it's everywhere.
And it damn well better be everywhere, or else my life will steadily grow smaller, darker, harder.
Yesterday on my MAGIC LESSONS podcast, you heard Brené Brown say, "Unused creativity is not benign." And many times you have heard me say, "Any talent you have but do not use becomes a burden on your life." (And for those of you who say, "Yes, but I have no talents!", let's change the sentence to read: "Any creative curiosity you have but do not express becomes a burden on your life.")
So use it. Sing. Dance. Draw. Write. Bake. Sew. Craft. Carve. Sculpt. Create.
There is only one form of creative expression that I'm legitimately good at, and that's writing. But the rest of it I do because I must do it. Because it all grows my soul. Because I may be a professional writer, but that's just my day job.
What's my real job?
I AM IN THE SOUL-GROWING BUSINESS.
As we all should be.
ONWARD,
LG
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