In honor of the fourth of July, I suggest you make your own declaration of independence from anything that is getting in the way of your creative prosperity.
Yes, I want you to actually write it down. Here are the (slightly modified) immortal words of the founding fathers to help get this party started.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the bands which have connected him/her with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
I hold these truths to be self-evident: fill in the blanks – what truths are self-evident to you? What people, places, things, habits, attitudes, projects and/or ideas are taxing you without representation and raining on your bliss parade? What are the flies floating in your creative soup? List them all and declare that in the coming year you will break these ties and be free.
Happy Independence Day. May the Elephants of Creative Liberty Bless You!
I read this and thought “this is wonderful”, then I let the questions you posed simmer for a while. I think that my bonds, the ones I placed, the ones my culture placed, and the one that come from generational tethers, are easier to identify when I pause to reflect on my stuck points in life. I can see habits that I allow that have turned into a bond that prevents me from feeling full joy. I really appreciate what you wrote, I look forward to your next post!
Rowan
This blog post has perfect timing for me. I keep feeling overwhelmed before I even begin my creative projects. You know for me, it is remembering to hold on to my vision that gets me through in the end. I think it is the book of Proverbs in the bible, (I may be wrong…) it says, “…where there is no vision, the people perish.” I think when I keep my vision in sight, the obstacles become markers on my path to creative prosperity. Thanks for this.
Julia
Thanks for your comments, Rowan and Julia. I am writing more articles now that should help with getting started and managing creative time. Stay tuned!
Late in reading this, so I declared yesterday my first day for creative independence….designed and built a piece of furniture. Well, it’s a start. I’m determined to set aside a day each month for strictly creative projects that have been in my mind….make them reality!