“Creativity is, foremost, being in the world soulfully, for the only thing we truly make, whether in the arts, in culture, or at home, is soul.”
~ Thomas Moore author of “Care of the Soul”.
Having embarked upon a major life transition, big-ass change, to put it more directly,
I find myself lost and found, profoundly clear and altogether unsure of my immediate next move. This is terribly unfamiliar territory as the bulk of my life I have sought to control every outcome by thinking through every move and the multitude of possible
responses, then applying sound statistics based upon previous experience. In this most current circumstance, I once again planned; albeit planned spontaneity. Six months ago, I set out to lease my home, take a long-term sabbatical from (aka: shut the doors of) my then moderately successful architecture firm, and travel in my RV. My intention was to write, to photo journal my experience and to share myself through this blog and my daily interactions with people. I set out to live a more creative and soulful life. I intended to do healing work in the way that is most familiar to me: by recognizing the divine in everyone.
I am learning that all the creativity and healing I wanted to experience and share
cannot be planned. I learned that the plans I had were not going to unfold quite like I expected and that my soul had another calling to tend to. I learned unexpectedly, that I don’t miss living in my home that framed my identity and housed my work. I am learning that there are many days wherein I don’t have a clue what I want to do
and suddenly the day is over before I have made a decision. In that process, I am learning to just be. I am a doer by nature or by protection. The busier I am, the less I have to face the things I judge about myself and others or my circumstance. I am learning what Mr. Moore describes as creativity. He says: “In ordinary life creativity means making something for the soul out of every experience.”
What does that mean to us individually? The dictionary defines soul as: the principle
of life, feeling, thought and action; the spiritual part of humans; the essential element or part of something. Taking his quote and declaring the soul to be mine, I interpret this as: making something for the essential element or the spiritual part of me out of every experience. Broadening beyond myself, it means making something for the principle of life - not my life or your life, but all life - out of every experience. It means contributing in a soulful way to the overall broad experience that we share as a humanity. Somehow and some way, each of us is connected.
Defined by this expanded understanding of what creativity might mean, I realize that in my time of quiet (self-defined as: lacking in creativity, not contributing to the world, sometimes even judging myself as lazy) I am being creative and contributing in a way that is deeply impactful to both myself and the world. While I’ve not designed a school facility, won a mountain bike race, started a new business or published a best-selling book, I have engaged with myself and the world in a very soulful way. The tangible things I am creating and doing are done with more love and joy. Healing work is being accomplished by my example of acceptance and appreciation of what is. I cannot help but advocate that each time one of us creates on this basis, we are taking a large leap toward world peace. Once again, never underestimate the impact of your contribution. I encourage you to do everything creatively!
~ Thomas Moore author of “Care of the Soul”.
Having embarked upon a major life transition, big-ass change, to put it more directly,
I find myself lost and found, profoundly clear and altogether unsure of my immediate next move. This is terribly unfamiliar territory as the bulk of my life I have sought to control every outcome by thinking through every move and the multitude of possible
responses, then applying sound statistics based upon previous experience. In this most current circumstance, I once again planned; albeit planned spontaneity. Six months ago, I set out to lease my home, take a long-term sabbatical from (aka: shut the doors of) my then moderately successful architecture firm, and travel in my RV. My intention was to write, to photo journal my experience and to share myself through this blog and my daily interactions with people. I set out to live a more creative and soulful life. I intended to do healing work in the way that is most familiar to me: by recognizing the divine in everyone.
I am learning that all the creativity and healing I wanted to experience and share
cannot be planned. I learned that the plans I had were not going to unfold quite like I expected and that my soul had another calling to tend to. I learned unexpectedly, that I don’t miss living in my home that framed my identity and housed my work. I am learning that there are many days wherein I don’t have a clue what I want to do
and suddenly the day is over before I have made a decision. In that process, I am learning to just be. I am a doer by nature or by protection. The busier I am, the less I have to face the things I judge about myself and others or my circumstance. I am learning what Mr. Moore describes as creativity. He says: “In ordinary life creativity means making something for the soul out of every experience.”
What does that mean to us individually? The dictionary defines soul as: the principle
of life, feeling, thought and action; the spiritual part of humans; the essential element or part of something. Taking his quote and declaring the soul to be mine, I interpret this as: making something for the essential element or the spiritual part of me out of every experience. Broadening beyond myself, it means making something for the principle of life - not my life or your life, but all life - out of every experience. It means contributing in a soulful way to the overall broad experience that we share as a humanity. Somehow and some way, each of us is connected.
Defined by this expanded understanding of what creativity might mean, I realize that in my time of quiet (self-defined as: lacking in creativity, not contributing to the world, sometimes even judging myself as lazy) I am being creative and contributing in a way that is deeply impactful to both myself and the world. While I’ve not designed a school facility, won a mountain bike race, started a new business or published a best-selling book, I have engaged with myself and the world in a very soulful way. The tangible things I am creating and doing are done with more love and joy. Healing work is being accomplished by my example of acceptance and appreciation of what is. I cannot help but advocate that each time one of us creates on this basis, we are taking a large leap toward world peace. Once again, never underestimate the impact of your contribution. I encourage you to do everything creatively!
Creative images from a visit to the new library being constructed in the heart of downtown San Diego:
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