Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Requesting Ideas

Pack Animals

...You then look inside yourself. You pull and tug and squeeze and fish around for slippery raw shapeless things that swim like fish made of cloud vapor and fill you with clamor. You latch onto something. And you bring it forth out of your head like Zeus giving birth to Athena...”
Vera Nazarian (The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration)

This is the best description I've read to date of the creative process. I'm sure there are people who are laser focused, and know exactly what they will produce on any given day. Mostly, however, there is an awkward chain of events: of reaching in, mentally groping around, pondering while looking blankly into space, and head scratching, which somehow eventually produces something of questionable value. Most of the artists, writers, poets and craftsmen I know would agree. We'd all like to simply set up a canvas and paint by the numbers, but it doesn't work that way.

Having a team can make all the difference. Most creative people work independently, but they need fresh ideas and critical review. We need people who will look at our work and respond honestly to it. Sometimes when we're drawing a mental blank on where to go from here, a bevy of ideas from one's team can get the old juices flowing again. I, for instance, would love to have suggestions from you about topics you'd like me to cover, about questions you are wrestling with on the spiritual level, of subjects you'd like to hear more about. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

“Unity is strength...where there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can happen.” (Mattie Stepanek) In the final analysis, we are individual souls. We come here as a solitary unit, and we leave here the same. But in between, we need a pack to run with. Whatever you do to fill your days, striking a balance between independence and unity with others makes it better, fuller, richer. I invite you to be part of my pack, and I would like to be part of yours.

                                                                    In the Spirit,
                                                                          Jane



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