Where Art Grows

I like your art.

I might not have seen it, but there’s a real good chance that I like it. I’d rather see it than anything else. Too much art dies with the people who were too scared to share. It could be the one thing that finally inspires a great mind to change the world. It could be the one symbol that keeps a sad man alive. It could find you love if that’s what you’re looking for, even if you aren’t. It could do a lot of things. But most likely, it could cause nothing at all. It could stir nothing but silence. But a wise artist knows that silence is where art grows.

How you guys feeling about AI?

How you guys feeling about AI?

I enjoy the perks of it. I am intentional about not letting it write for me, but I do use it as a daily companion; it’s good for gathering my thoughts. I have a lot of those, and they are all over the place! The new option to have folders lit my fire. I also use it to make my blog feature photos, but when I’m full-time writing, I take time to sift through all the stock photos or sometimes create my own. AI, as a little judgment-free companion, works for me.

A Little (or a lot) of Nonsense

“A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men.” Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Let things be weird and illogical. Let things go a little wonky. Take time to appreciate how those around you squirm in your strangeness. This is your wonderfully creative life. This is your chance to be something you never thought you could be. It’s wild, isn’t it? To think there’s something enormous out there that’s meant for you. Something that could swallow you whole could invite you in and ask you how many sugars you like in your tea. So many possibilities.

Possibility is different from hope because it’s the millions of micro and macro creative ways you can make it even better than you thought. That’s what makes life something special. Well, that’s what I think, at least.

Happy Blood Moon!

Time, but Not Too Deep

“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.” -Albert Einstein

But maybe it does happen all at once. People have said your entire life flashes before your eyes. But let’s not get too deep. I think the best way to go about time is to find ways to enjoy it. That means you get to give yourself permission to have moments of joy. It’s not always easy. Sometimes you have to do it in secret. Other times it can be more frustrating to find joy than it is to just let it go. But here’s the thing: finding or welcoming joy is never a waste of time. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to be sad, but don’t stop searching; don’t stop finding ways to welcome the things that might just make you happy.

You’re Worth the Commitment.

“Small daily improvements over time lead to stunning results.” – Robin Sharma

This is so true. I can’t believe the amount of stories and poetry I’ve accumulated over the years. I remember looking at other writers’ manuscripts or piles of writing printed out, and I couldn’t wait to be there. Now I’m on the verge of tossing all the printed copies. The point is that writing a little every day adds up. It’s worth the commitment, plus it’s something you get to accomplish for yourself.

Do you set small daily writing goals?

Here it Comes

“I appreciate and enjoy my age.” -Nikki Giovanni

Well, here’s my mantra for the next couple of weeks. I’m laughing. I can’t believe I’m about to be 40! So many years invested in becoming and unbecoming, all to turn into just being. This space where I can just be so that those around me can just be. Anyway, I’m swimming in enormous amounts of gratitude today.

How do you feel about fall?

Stop and Watch a Bee

“Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself. ” -Alice Walker

It’s really all about the mini moments for me right now. I was excited to see fluffy bees buzzing around this afternoon. You see, life often pulls me everywhere all at once, but I gotta take control by stopping for a moment to find joy in even the mini moments. It’s not always easy for me. I don’t share this because I’m a professional. I share this so I get the reminder in three days or three years to stop and watch a bee. Believe it or not, even busy bees take breaks. They don’t work in bad weather or extreme heat. They even take mini breaks. So remember, when you watch those cute fluffy little pollinators, that this is your moment to rest and find joy in your mini moment.

Have you had any mini moments? For writers: Do you give your characters mini moments?

You Are the Revolution

“Poetry is the lifeblood of rebellion, revolution, and the raising of consciousness.” Alice Walker

You writing today is the revolution.

Don’t make the end goal when the revolution starts. You stepping into your dreams and desires is the revolution! They really have you out here thinking that you have to put your dreams and desires on hold or as a last priority to what? To complete their dream? To fill someone else’s bank account? No. Your dreams and desires are yours to prioritize. That is your power. That is your only job: to dream and live and then share all that with those closest to you.

Be Yourself

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.” – E. E. Cummings

I’m writing early. I’m going to need a good night’s sleep for the week ahead of me. Do you prep for your week ahead over the weekend, or do you just flow through the week? Some weeks I’m prepped for; other weeks, I am more of a pantser. I laugh because that’s more of a writing term, but it works here.

I do know that I feel better when I prepare for the week.

I realize that this quote doesn’t have much to do with the post but I liked it. So enjoy.