For the Hungry Artist
Most of us don’t want to feel old. Even fewer of us want to look old. Yet extreme measures to cover up our age aren’t always successful. For instance, let’s just say that the following story is true.
Because it is.
A guy in his mid-thirties starts to lose his hair. He has a few options.
Mastering the art of when to break and not break the rules is a never-ending exercise in creativity. As creatives, we live with the privilege of learning that tightrope walk.
Today’s my birthday.
I’m 36.
I used my birthday money to buy this…
Yes, it’s a remote control toy helicopter.
Yes, I’ve played with it a lot.
Yes, it’s amazing.
Some justification. A friend posted a quote on my Facebook Page today by Chili Davis, a Major League baseball player: “Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” Chili Davis.
Chili? His name is Chili. No, for serious. I checked it. It’s for real.
So yeah, I’m just following Chili’s advice. (Said that in my head a few times… “I’m just following Chili’s advice.”) I’m gonna break a few rules, make a few, and keep a few rules this year to keep my creative juices growing.
~I’ll do my best work this year rather than rest on my laurels.
~I’ll learn what my ‘my laurels’ are.
~I’ll love better.
~I’ll keep rules, break rules, and sometimes make my own rules.
~I’ll live like a disciplined rebel with a cause.
~I’ll not just dream about ideas; I’ll do the dream, and take the steps to see the idea grow into a reality.
~I’ll explore like a toddler, dream like an adolescent, and work like a ‘responsible’ adult.
Today may or may not be your birthday, but we can always focus, define, and set the tone for our lives as we walk that creativity tightrope.
How are you growing down, growing up, and keeping the balance of rule keeping and rule breaking?