Another blank page, another story to tell. What am I going to talk about today? I could talk about the book I am reading, Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Or I could talk about the Beatles song I am listening to, Because, from Abbey Road. Or I could talk about nothing at all.
What is important in this exercise is that I write at all. I created a blog a long time ago, with the idea that I would add all my creations to it, so that I would have a rolling container for all the creative endeavors I try to accomplish in my life. Well, somewhere along the way I became self-conscious of what I was trying to get done, and that has stymied my ability to create. I need to just forge ahead with what I am doing and let it go.
I can release all expectations of what will come out of writing daily, or even writing music and creating art. It doesn't quite matter what the outcome is at this point. Maybe the outcome never will matter. What does matter is that I get down to the page and write, or put pen to paper and draw, or put my fingers on the frets and play. What happens after that is of little consequence.
The more I am able to create the better. But at the same time, there is no required output or prolific level I need to attain. One thing I would like to do is write seven hundred fifty words per day on this blog. I think that is something I could accomplish. It may not be easy, but I could definitely do it. It would involve being ready to write as soon as I get up in the morning, and being willing to stay up later in the evening if I don't get it done first thing in the morning.
But really, seven hundred fifty words is only about a half hour to forty-five minutes worth of my time, every day. I don't think that is nearly too much time to devote to my "craft."
After all, what am I really trying to accomplish here? I am trying to trace the arc of progress of a creative individual from the beginning to the end. It won't take too much time, it will only take the three D's: Diligence, Discipline and Determination.
If I can keep showing up, I can keep producing. I only need to get here (to the page) and I will be able to make something happen, or the universe or God will make something happen through me. That is the way it works. Show up and make something happen.
I have been really enjoying this holiday break from work, being able to hang out and relax extensively with the family. It was great to get a new electric guitar to create and play with as well. It will be something I have for the rest of my life, and can pass down to my children should they ever become interested in playing the guitar.
I find when I write, I am very self-conscious. I am very concerned about how what I write will be perceived by other people. I don't know why that is, but I am able to push past it, at least enough to keep writing.
It is not really that I am concerned about how I am writing and that it may or may not make sense, but I am concerned with how my loved ones (who are the only ones I know of who read this) may interpret what I am writing.
I guess a little proviso is in order then... It doesn't mean anything. Unless it does.
That doesn't make much sense.
That's okay.
Everything is okay.
Is it?
I think so.
What else do I want to do today? All sorts of things. I want to do all sorts of things today, but I think I will mainly relax and play. Those are good things to do, especially as the extended holiday break comes to an end.
Now I am listening to What a Wonderful World as performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. That was difficult to spell, but pleasant to listen to.
I still haven't really moved into the 2010's with my music yet. I still listen to my streaming library via Google Play Music. I don't subscribe to Spotify yet, though I have used it rather frequently lately. I still search YouTube for individual songs I want to listen to on demand.
That's all for now.
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