Mrs. R was a patient woman who coached me through five years of adult piano lessons. Sage quips rolled off her tongue, salve for my frustration and disappointment. It was her notion that “there is a season for everything” that had the strongest stick-value, and I hope she would be flattered to know that I have since passed it on many times over.
Julia Cameron talks about the benefit of repetitive, mindless activity, in that it seems to invite creative percolation. Without effort, ideas just show up. It’s like a brainstorming party — for 1. My notable moments of cerebral luminescence seem to come while I am either driving (alone) or working out at the gym.
Last week’s commute was 200 miles’ worth of ruminations over the loss of my muse. If this is a game of hide-and-seek, she’s won. But how to explain the abyss? There can be no other explanation than this is the season of teaching; I have yet to learn how to parcel out some, but not all, of my self. Sad, but true.
As I recuperated from three wisdom tooth extractions today, and followed doctor’s orders to rest, the luxury of unstructured time came to my rescue. An etsy.com shop reminded me how much I love vintage fashion, which led me back to the photo above: a corner of my craft room. Although I haven’t left the sofa in hours, I’m enjoying that ‘home at last’ feeling.
Anyone else out there have trouble managing their ‘best’ energy?
I shared this story a friend sent me about having so many spoons to use in a day and using them wisely. I keep using mine up before the day is over! I hope you’re feeling all better now.
Feel better soon, Lisa. Take a peek at “The Poet and the Donkey” by May Sarton for help getting your muse back.
Wonderful blog, Lisa, despite the wisdom-tooth thing and loss of your muse. She’ll come back. Oh, yes, it’s difficult to be creative after a day of work. I am spent. Fortunately for me, my passion for knitting gives me quiet time while I make something pretty. But too often I have other tasks that get in the way. I think that all of us woiking folks constantly struggle to have quality time for ourselves. But oh the bliss when that time comes!