"They require a certain interaction with others but they do not mean that we must value the response to our actions more than we do the experience of completing our creative actions and casting then into the world for the benefit of others." How I love this essay! I spent years writing a blog, writing articles, learning SEO, taking how to blog workshops, how to manage your stats, etc. It zapped all the joy of writing out of me. But I am back (and letting you know as I promised). I am enjoying my thinking, research and writing because I fully own it.
Just read your posts - an interesting journey you are on! When we were told I’d be a widow very soon k started thinking of moving but thankfully husband is fine and that’s no longer an immediate need or desire. It is, however, still useful and interesting to learn how it is to do it.
I started following you on Substack after Dr. Sharon Blackie gave a shout out to your writing after a visit the two of you shared, which she wrote about. It's hard to find adequate words how much I love this piece, your writing style, your voice, your sense of humor, your honesty, your story-telling. You craft images that put the reader (or at least this reader) right in the room with you. I don't share this as mere flattery, though I hope you accept the honest praise. As someone who is on the cusp of dipping her toes in the pond of creative writing, your words are very affirming. You've offered such a good reminders that the creative process is really about trusting ourselves, listening, and finding joy in whatever we're doing - the rest will follow. Thanks so much.
Thank you very much. I’ll willingly accept praise even if it wasn’t sought!! . I’m standing here in the pond holding hand out and telling you how to avoid the slippy weeds… come on in and join me!
Thank you so much for this, Helen. My father was a true creative. He never made a career or any money from his creative endeavors, but he modeled love and delight in making beautiful things. It's so good to be reminded that creative work is a way to embody joy.
Love it. Coming to creativity with a full cup, without neediness and for the pure joy of it. Same advice I've given my son about relationships. Sometimes it takes a bit of work to reclaim the cup and recognise one's own beauty, but nothing is more worth it or a better foundation for joy and a creative life.
Your eloquent words this morning were read quite literally as I was reflecting on the need for holding social media 'outcomes' very lightly.
Love the threads of synchronicity that are woven through our lives.
Also enjoying your regular creative offerings - another follower initiated after Sharon Blackie's shout out.
Maybe not just creating but living our lives in a way that is 'gentle, calm and without neediness' is a beautiful way to leave an enduring radiant legacy?
I owe Sharon a lot!! I think you are right about the extension ( or is it more combination) of our creative approaches to the whole of our lives. I think that’s what @merissa foryani was saying in her comment about relationships.
Thank you so much Helen. I echo the comments above complimenting you on your writing, I find it spellbinding and often read your articles more than once, they are so nutritious, like a plate of rainbow vegetables ☺️
I really resonate with your words Helen. Your Dad’s story is beautiful and I definitely relate to your commentary about social media.
Your sentence “there is a societal longing to be clearly associated with our creativity and to receive approbation for it”, captures how I feel now I’m leaving my duties and job behind.
I know I feel blessed by all I’m learning in my older years.
It’s likely to be a long time before I’ve got anything to read the way I’m going Helen.
I’m approaching the story as a Grandma’s coming of age story. Sometimes I think I should do some of it via Substack posts, but that feels like doubling up the writing!
Great essay and so well said. I found it very relatable. It’s great to receive praise and appreciation, even recognition, but the act of creating is so much more than that on a personal level.
Live this. Creativity for creativity’s sake! It is validating when our work is seen but it has to be for us first, and for us not to depend on the validation. ✨
Thank you! I recognize some of the benefits I receive from social media,for example, and from Substack, however I've learned and felt in my bones that I do not want it to become more than what it is and not take more of my time and energy. First is my life and what I express within it, not comments or likes or such! The story of your father was wonderful! My father was a musician, who like so many married and had children, needed to provide and did, yet I still remember that when he came home from work and played the piano or the organ, it was the happiest I ever saw him - and that gave me as a child a love of music that I've carried throughout my life.
"They require a certain interaction with others but they do not mean that we must value the response to our actions more than we do the experience of completing our creative actions and casting then into the world for the benefit of others." How I love this essay! I spent years writing a blog, writing articles, learning SEO, taking how to blog workshops, how to manage your stats, etc. It zapped all the joy of writing out of me. But I am back (and letting you know as I promised). I am enjoying my thinking, research and writing because I fully own it.
Just read your posts - an interesting journey you are on! When we were told I’d be a widow very soon k started thinking of moving but thankfully husband is fine and that’s no longer an immediate need or desire. It is, however, still useful and interesting to learn how it is to do it.
Thank you for this! Expressed perfectly what I have been trying to tell myself.
I started following you on Substack after Dr. Sharon Blackie gave a shout out to your writing after a visit the two of you shared, which she wrote about. It's hard to find adequate words how much I love this piece, your writing style, your voice, your sense of humor, your honesty, your story-telling. You craft images that put the reader (or at least this reader) right in the room with you. I don't share this as mere flattery, though I hope you accept the honest praise. As someone who is on the cusp of dipping her toes in the pond of creative writing, your words are very affirming. You've offered such a good reminders that the creative process is really about trusting ourselves, listening, and finding joy in whatever we're doing - the rest will follow. Thanks so much.
Thank you very much. I’ll willingly accept praise even if it wasn’t sought!! . I’m standing here in the pond holding hand out and telling you how to avoid the slippy weeds… come on in and join me!
I absolutely will! Thanks so very much!
Thank you so much for this, Helen. My father was a true creative. He never made a career or any money from his creative endeavors, but he modeled love and delight in making beautiful things. It's so good to be reminded that creative work is a way to embody joy.
Love it. Coming to creativity with a full cup, without neediness and for the pure joy of it. Same advice I've given my son about relationships. Sometimes it takes a bit of work to reclaim the cup and recognise one's own beauty, but nothing is more worth it or a better foundation for joy and a creative life.
Well it IS about relationships really isn’t it? Just relationships with viewers/readers etc not romantic partners.
Hear, hear! 🙌🏻
Your eloquent words this morning were read quite literally as I was reflecting on the need for holding social media 'outcomes' very lightly.
Love the threads of synchronicity that are woven through our lives.
Also enjoying your regular creative offerings - another follower initiated after Sharon Blackie's shout out.
Maybe not just creating but living our lives in a way that is 'gentle, calm and without neediness' is a beautiful way to leave an enduring radiant legacy?
I owe Sharon a lot!! I think you are right about the extension ( or is it more combination) of our creative approaches to the whole of our lives. I think that’s what @merissa foryani was saying in her comment about relationships.
Thank you so much Helen. I echo the comments above complimenting you on your writing, I find it spellbinding and often read your articles more than once, they are so nutritious, like a plate of rainbow vegetables ☺️
So kind!! And motivating to continue…
I really resonate with your words Helen. Your Dad’s story is beautiful and I definitely relate to your commentary about social media.
Your sentence “there is a societal longing to be clearly associated with our creativity and to receive approbation for it”, captures how I feel now I’m leaving my duties and job behind.
I know I feel blessed by all I’m learning in my older years.
Sounds like exciting times ahead for you! Do you have special creative plans?
I’m working on a story, which is fun but slow work.
Can I read it whenever its done?
It’s likely to be a long time before I’ve got anything to read the way I’m going Helen.
I’m approaching the story as a Grandma’s coming of age story. Sometimes I think I should do some of it via Substack posts, but that feels like doubling up the writing!
Great essay and so well said. I found it very relatable. It’s great to receive praise and appreciation, even recognition, but the act of creating is so much more than that on a personal level.
Thank you Helen! This arrived at exactly the right time for me.
My Muse has great timing!
Something I've really learnt recently is that the Muse really does, she really does! Just got to learn to trust her.
Live this. Creativity for creativity’s sake! It is validating when our work is seen but it has to be for us first, and for us not to depend on the validation. ✨
I read that as ‘love this’ at first then I thought: nope, it’s dead right as it is: Live this don’t just write about it!!
Haha yes I meant love, but maybe I meant live! 🙌🏻
I’ll take both😀 praise and a reminder to put my money where my mouth is.
Beautifuly put and I couldn't agree more!
Thank you! I recognize some of the benefits I receive from social media,for example, and from Substack, however I've learned and felt in my bones that I do not want it to become more than what it is and not take more of my time and energy. First is my life and what I express within it, not comments or likes or such! The story of your father was wonderful! My father was a musician, who like so many married and had children, needed to provide and did, yet I still remember that when he came home from work and played the piano or the organ, it was the happiest I ever saw him - and that gave me as a child a love of music that I've carried throughout my life.