It was inevitable. I thought it would take longer than it did,but I knew this day would come. I sat down to write today’s entry to meet my August Pledge and came up blank. I am at a conference in LA, and thought about the blog off-and-on during the day, but since I was pretty engaged in the presentations, I didn’t come up with much. A few fleeting ideas, but nothing that is ready to be fleshed out, even to the level of a daily blog entry.
So here I sit trying to come up with something-- something that might be of interest to whomever happens to check in today (disclaimer: Today’s entry may not be so interesting. You might want to look through the archives to find something better!).
This reminds me of a poem I wrote nearly 13 years ago called “Waiting for Rain” which was about feeling dry and uncreative. I can’t remember the whole thing now, but the last two lines go something like this:
This reminds me of a poem I wrote nearly 13 years ago called “Waiting for Rain” which was about feeling dry and uncreative. I can’t remember the whole thing now, but the last two lines go something like this:
The withered face of the land stares back into sun
But can not will the rains to come.
That still rings true- I don’t know how to force creativity. It seems to have a will of its own. I try to be patient and wait for inspiration, but as I mentioned yesterday, patience is not my strong suit. Every minute that I spend staring at a blank paper (or more likely a blank computer screen) exacerbates my insecurities until my internal critics are screaming “GIVE UP! IT’S HOPELESS! YOU'RE HOPELESS!! GIVE UP!”
Not a pretty scenario.
So, how do I free myself from this self-strangulation?
I give up.
I stop trying to write or solve that difficult problem. I give up, but not in defeat. I simply do something else, something that is creative but in a different way.
Like cooking.
Cooking is great for freeing up those creative thoughts. First of all, it is great fun! I love to play in the kitchen-- I get to pour stuff and mix stuff and chop and stir and smell nice spices -- it's like messy play for grownups. Best of all, when I am finished I have made something that I can see, touch, smell, and share with my family and friends. (Usually, I have made a pretty big mess as well. Fortunately, my husband loves my cooking and is more than happy to help with the clean up chores) Cooking results in a tangible, often enjoyable product that silences those internal critics that make me feel incompetent.(Even my internal critics like to eat!) I am often surprised to find that ideas occur to me while I am stirring, chopping, mixing and smelling those nice aromas.
If I could cook something tonight, it would be fattouche, which is a Lebanese tossed salad. I have ordered it in a few restaurants recently and have become a huge fan. The novelty is in the dressing. I believe the unique ingredient Is powdered sumac, probably available at our local middle eastern grocery. I can’t wait to get home and try it. Yum!
If I could cook something tonight, it would be fattouche, which is a Lebanese tossed salad. I have ordered it in a few restaurants recently and have become a huge fan. The novelty is in the dressing. I believe the unique ingredient Is powdered sumac, probably available at our local middle eastern grocery. I can’t wait to get home and try it. Yum!
I just know that if I could make a fattouche salad tonight, I would be able come up with a good idea for this blog.
Today I am grateful for ideas, whenever and however they come. (And for interesting spices!)
Now, a technicality. When I post this blog it will be after midnight in Michigan, meaning that August 5 will not have an entry. However, here In California it is just a little past 9 pm, so let's call it close enough. OK?
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