One Apple A Day #685 - the creative rhythm
I was sitting here, trying to find something to write about, an idea around which I could create a good post. As you can imagine, no idea was coming forward. And then I realised that I was falling trap of the outcome; I wanted so much to create something good that I forgot the whole purpose of this practice; becoming an author.
This morning I picked a Be The Change card, my first after a few weeks. The card says "dare to let go of control". When we start a creative process, as this small writing practice of mine, the desire to control the outcome can get in the way. It narrows our sight, and we become blind to all the opportunities that surround us. And while I write this, I'm aware that this kind of laser focus on something, is also a powerful skill. It's the secret of many great performers. We need both approaches, the divergent one that opens us to the omens of the universe. And the convergent one that cuts out all distractions so we can hit the target. It's very much like breathing; we need both inhaling and exhaling.
The secret then is to find the right creative rhythm. As our body does with breathing. Feeling when it's time to sense and listen, and when it's time to focus and act.