I write a lot about the creative process. Many artists of various disciplines may agree that the finished song, painting, film, etc, begins quite randomly.
For me, it may be a jolt of inspiration that leads to a flurry of ideas, a brainstorm of thoughts and visions. It's the most wonderful time of the year. There's nothing but joy all around, and then some.
The sun rises the next 'day' to find me sitting in a corner, staring at the confetti of all I imagined.
My first words of bliss..."What the heck is all this?"
After "wonderful random" comes making sense of it all. I've learned from other creatives this can be the most challenging time. This is where good ideas can get tossed out with the not-so-good ideas, simply because the volume of the inner critic is rattling the speakers, sending shockwaves of fear and doubt where creative freedom should be. The freedom to miss perfection, and celebrate bravery.
Today, I've found the missing peace: connection to others. Instead of bouncing ideas off my head and shouting "Brilliant!" (which most of the time, I never say). The artistic life is not meant to be one of isolation when art is heart to heart communication.
Along with the missing peace, also "let it be," it is what it is.
That's the art of living, too.
