This week I am surrounded by moving boxes, drifts of packing paper accumulating around me several times a day. I open a box, consider the contents, put things away, recycle the paper, begin again.
I have not had time to write a long-form post for this week, but I think what I have for you is special. It’s something I’ve been working on for a long time, adding a line, deleting, rearranging… a Practice and Curiosity manifesto, of sorts. A list of ideas gleaned from my own and others’ experiences, that guide my practice and, I believe, are somewhat universal. Of course, your mileage may vary; please leave your thoughts in the comments! Anyway, I hope there is something here for you.
12 Ideas to Guide Your Creative Practice:
You already have everything you need.
Beginning is the hardest part.
Look for the ideas that keep coming back.
There are no mistakes, only information and potential discoveries.
Curiosity is the seed of independent thought. Chase your questions.
Keep going; small actions accumulate toward something larger than any single grand gesture.
Catch the thread, build momentum.
Cadence and capacity are the dynamic breath of creative practice.
Your practice is a mirror.
Show up, and your practice will meet you exactly where you are.
Sharing your work is an act of generosity.
Arriving is a mirage; cultivate your path.
What would you add to this list? What are the foundational beliefs that keep you moving forward in your creative practice? The things that you remind yourself of? Put it in the comments!
And lastly, here is a pretty printable pdf of this list:
Gleanings:
Only a few things to share this week because, well, moving boxes.
I spent a lot of time this past week listening to this conversation between Rick Ruben, renowned music producer, and Andrew Huberman. So, so good, and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of Ruben’s book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being”.
“A new operating system for your mind”: Over the last several years, meditation has become a critical part of my creative practice, expanding my sensitivity and perception. In addition to my usual morning meditation, I’ve been using the Waking Up app, and if you are looking for a tool to either enhance your current practice or learn about mindfulness meditation, it’s a good one!
“Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That’s what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest.” -Pema Chodron
See you next week!
Yours in practice,
Lisa
Like this list and I would add be brave and beginner's mindset!
Thanks so much for the printable version! It will grace my studio. I especially love "Your practice is a mirror" ;-)