Why You Need New Words Right Now

Rules help us with our creativity.

Does that sound like creativity heresy to have the word ‘rules’ and ‘creativity’ in the same sentence?

Earlier in the year my muse coughed up some commandments for creativity, which proved to be a popular post.

Yet I always balked at the word commandments even though it resonated with other creatives.

Embraced by Words
Robbert van der Steeg via Compfight

We need new words because we think in words. 

Most of us, even visual learners, think in words.

Close your eyes. Listen to your thoughts. That self-talk is usually in words, not random images. Continue reading “Why You Need New Words Right Now”

Honor: Pass it On

Happy Memorial Day! We’ve so much to be thankful for, don’t we?

Granted, some of you are reading this post outside of the American boarders yet we all have one things in common: honor.

The following video was created by my pastor’s son Brandon Hess. He excellently communicates honor with pictures, music, and story. I know you’ll enjoy it.     [box options]Share the honor by sharing this video by clicking one of the share options to the left. Happy Memorial Day![/box]

remembrance part 2:  eternal thanks to those who served
Jack via Compfight

 

The Campaign for Real Life

[box options]You’re in for a treat today… from the UK! Today’s post is a guest post by Ayd Instone. Ayd is an international speaker, philosopher and entertainer on the subject of creativity. He’s the author of a number of books and writes regularly on his blog ‘Ding!’ When you’re done reading his post, head on over to his blog. [/box]

Instant coffee. Horrible and pointless. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make some coffee, boil off the water and freeze dry the gunk that’s left so you can pour hot water on it and have a horrible ‘instant’ cup of coffee.

‘Convenience’ they call it. Convenience foods – so you don’t have to cook, don’t have to chew (and with most, almost don’t even need to swallow). You don’t get any flavour, nutrients or vitamins but at least you didn’t have to do any work. God forbid you’d ever have to lift a finger.

For the past sixty years or so our society has been obsessed with convenience. We invented fast foods so you don’t have to wait and savour the anticipation. You can then eat in a rush, on the move, while you’re busy doing something else.

What exactly have you got to rush off and do? Everything has been made so convenient with all the enjoyment and experienced boiled and freeze dried out of life that there’s actually nothing worth rushing off for. Continue reading “The Campaign for Real Life”

All Grown Up – Seriously Creative

I have an awesome day job.

I still get to do acting gigs every couple months.

I’m a ‘responsible adult.’ But the words ‘responsible adult’ make my inner creative kiddo throw up in my mouth.

I don’t always feel grown up.

Remember watching The Dark Knight? The Batman movie starring the late Heath Ledger as The Joker in which he challenges a soon-to-be victim: “why so serious?” I’m taking the phrase of context, but I sometimes ask myself “why so serious, Andrew.” Or perhaps a better question might be “why so intense?” As an artist in an office, I still feel deeply. I’m still an artist even if I’m looking at an expense report, hosting a training class, or speaking with executives. Continue reading “All Grown Up – Seriously Creative”

3 Reasons Why Men Make Breakfast

Many Saturday mornings my Dad made waffles.

Real waffles.

Waffles on a gigantic waffle iron the size of a sheet of plywood.

But Dad’s waffles weren’t normal. They had personality. They often resembled Mickey Mouse, butterflies, and I vaguely recall my alpha/omega initials “AZ” being burned into those wonderful little divits.

Burned Waffles
Photo Credit: ikayama via Compfight

Breakfast is magic. What other meal is it permissible to douse the food with syrups, sugars and whipped toppings? Continue reading “3 Reasons Why Men Make Breakfast”

You Pick the Post and Monkey Tail Beard

My draft folder is brimming with amazing, yet unrealized posts.

As the slogan for this blog is “For the Hungry Artist,” I’d like to know what you’re hungry for. 

Here they are, in no particular order.

  • Why We Hate Work
  • What are You Worth?
  • Monday’s are the Best
  • Ideation Marriage Vows
  • Why I Love Mad Men
  • Social Anxiety and Other Confessions
  • Why Men Make Breakfast
  • MiPhone
  • Weight Loss and Blogging
  •            fill in the blank            

What would you like to see next on the blog?

Leave a comment below to clue me in on what you’d like to see!

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Finally, in the spirit of being foolish, creative and simply because it’s Friday, here’s a pic of my endeavor to shave my beard monkey-tail style. Continue reading “You Pick the Post and Monkey Tail Beard”

Introverts: Creative Quiets

I masquerade as an extrovert.

But it’s just an act, a role played in pretend-land. Sooner or later, I’ll need to cocoon myself away for a bit to enjoy some silence.

I don’t think I’m alone, am I? Many creatives are introverts, preferring fewer words, fewer friends, and fewer parties.

Extroverts: we marvel at you. We marvel at your abilities to mingle at gatherings. We stand (preferably silently sequestered) amazed at your bombastic, never-ending ability to communicate with your host of friends while we struggle to maintain contact with the two or three friends in our close-knit circle. We’re jealous of your confidence in social situations.

Continue reading “Introverts: Creative Quiets”

The It Factor

What’s the difference between success and failure?

What makes one sink and another swim?

Who has the ‘it’ factor? And how do we get ‘it’?

If ‘they’ have ‘it’ and we don’t have ‘it’ how do we get ‘it’ so we can keep ‘it’?

 

What is ‘It’?

Anyone in any creative field is an ideator–an idea generator.

But so what?

Anyone can come up with ideas. Even bad ideas flourish… (insert the last corny informercial video you saw here). Continue reading “The It Factor”