Although it’s been a bit since my last blog post, I have
been up here in Northwest NJ having some Oprah “Ah-ha” moments. I’ve decided to
unfurl myself from the fetal position, put on my big girl panties, stop using
my creativity as a scapegoat and start being a grown-up.
I’ve realized that I have done more in the last several
years to crush my creativity than I have to allow it to flourish. Admittedly,
there has been a heck of a lot of fear, distraction, and sheer laziness that
has kept me from completing and submitting any written works. Ultimately,
though, I finally realize I’ve been crushing creativity at every turn with my
habits and my mindset.
I have been winging it. Successful people don’t wing it.
I’ve fooled myself into thinking that this is what creativity likes,
spontaneity.
It is a lie.
Deep down I’ve always known this.
Now I am going to own it.
First, I have decided that I will no longer put pressure on
my creativity to support me financially. Now that my youngest is in school full
time and my oldest is half way to college already, it is time for me to “get a
job.” I could shut down. I could lambaste myself and my creativity for failing,
for not “becoming a writer,” for not bucking up and paying the bills. Instead,
I am telling creativity: “I got this.” I will support you. I will find some way
to give you what you need while still helping my family financially.
Second, I have decided that I will no longer use creativity
as an excuse. My poor sweet fragile creativity, I have thrown you under the bus
more times than either of us can count! I have allowed things to fall by the
wayside. I have allowed laundry to pile up. Dust bunnies to multiply. Stacks of
papers and books to accumulate on every surface of the house. And creativity
has shouldered the blame. That alone is crushing. Never mind, the fact that
creativity cannot possibly live in an environment of disorganization and chaos.
Instead, I am telling creativity: “I will create a place for you to live.” I
will get rid of the clutter and get organized.
Third, I have decided that I will stop wasting my energy, my
talents, and my creativity on time-sucking activities. I will schedule my time
so that I can proactively pursue my passions instead of reacting to others. Because
at the end of every day that I have let myself get sucked in by every
distraction imaginable, I only become bitter and resentful. Instead, I am
telling creativity: “I will create time for you.” I will start each day
pursuing my own goals. I will be intentional with my time. So there is always
time for creativity instead of it being an oft-forgotten afterthought.
I am (finally) organizing my life for the sake of my creativity
(not in spite of it!).
Because I want to do more than wish on stars, I want to achieve my dreams.
Because I want to do more than wish on stars, I want to achieve my dreams.
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by Donald Maass. One of the exercises is to think of a real life hero and the qualities of him/her that you admire. Since my protagonist is a teenager, I tried to think of a teenager I admire. I came up with a young lady from Pitman New Jersey named Katelyn Darrow. When Katelyn was just 12 years old she started a program called Angels of God Clothing Closet to helps families in crisis (such as after a house fire) get some essentials to help keep them going. Katelyn saw a need in the community and was brave enough to fill it. Five years later, Katelyn’s Angels of God Clothing Closet continues to live up to their mission of helping disadvantaged people and relieve financial stress by providing clothing, toiletries, food and more to those in need at no cost to them through their store-front location and also through school supply drives, holiday gift giving, costume donations, etc. Katelyn also works in the community and beyond speaking to groups, scouts, schools. She has won awards and was even on the Steve Harvey show last month.
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