It is our decision

You must choose creativity if you wish to gain or expand creative ability. The choice will help you accept that you are, or become more of, a creative person.

If you write, I suggest lots of reading. Be selective though; books and magazines about the writer’s craft, creativity, inspirational books, devotionals, and pictorial books. Magazines, newspapers, candy reading (whatever you most enjoy), biographies (these give you insight into real people whose characteristics you can weave into realistic characters). Psychology, design, histories, poetry, and I am sure you are getting some ideas of your own.

For photographers, there is no substitute for getting out and shooting, even pictures from home can hone skills. National Geographic, Wired, Vogue, Architectural Digest, and other photo-laden magazines can have you imagining things to try. Photography magazines can instruct and inform. A photography club can provide critique and instruction.

Classes may be beneficial if you find an excellent instructor and can afford to invest those funds. Writers and photographers are well-advised to combine the talents. Should your skills be weaker in one, endeavor to improve. Text and pictures together draw more sustained attention than the presentation of either alone. Practice will enhance the work quickly if you focus on creative intensity, but be willing to invest years in becoming a master.

Art! Art is where my focus has broken down, but instruction books, classes, visiting places that contain art (even just the local craft store where there are prints), practice and more practice will help you grow your innate creative talent. Be courageous, you do not have to be Frida, Pablo, Leonardo, or Georgia, at this time, be yourself. Experiment, use color, use media, be bold, develop your eyes, and your hands. Find your element.

You are you, and your creative genius is exactly what your audience is searching for, your reach will increase in proportion to the effort you dedicate. If you misplace a line assume it should be there and build it into your creation. The chances are no one will ever discover what you consider imperfection. The audience forgives what to it is unknown. Would that I heeded my advice, but some are more beholden to perfectionism than are others.

Music, I seldom articulate my background, but I was in chorus and choir from an early age. I lettered in chorus the three full years I attended high school. I also studied guitar a few years and spent many hours happily playing electric organ. The choral lessons taught diction and enunciation. I left music when I lost my Kimball organ, I had it from the seventies until 2000. The wound is deep.

I will tell you if you have the gift of voice, or if you do not, it is a choice. The vocal instrument can be improved with time. You must want the facility, or it will elude you. Should you perform, do not stumble over a mistake, sing out, smile and keep going. The audience will not realize you fumbled unless your stress draws attention to it.

I have gone long. Sometimes, I find a groove.

I realized I have 1,330 followers on the blog, Chronicles. I thought those would follow me to the new venue, but it seems not. So, I am debating what I should do. There should be a way via WordPress to incorporate the two. Combining things and setting new priorities is sometimes a weakness of mine. Creative solutions are my mark so I will come up with something.

I am grateful:

I have a best friend.
I can play my stereo loud.
I have food to eat.
There is hot water.
I am comfortable writing.
I have books to read.
Pen and ink.

You have by now seen enough of my Gratitude Lists that you should be practicing them yourself. If not, ask yourself why you refuse. It is a beneficial habit.

Creativity
The match lighting the fire of
Our talent’s intent.

Fill your mind with all
The inspiration it will
Hold, then make it new.

Travel the spaces
Between the living moments
Cradle your ideas.

As a prompt, consider your creative talents and make a plan to foster your skills and increase them. You may need to dedicate more time or clear space. Prepare yourself for success, and you will indubitably find it.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. I hope you found something instructional, inspiring, or encouraging. If you like, please click the follow button, or come back when you are able. God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Always and Forever.

Statuses, Photos, Montage

If the road is not
Leading you where you would like
Get off, blaze a trail,
Maybe others will follow;
You may pioneer alone.

Creatives often ignore the rules, because they are exploring uncharted territory where accepted norms do not apply.

When you read the quotes of history’s greats, you learn the human condition has always presented tremendous challenges, requiring creativity, intellectual curiosity, tenacity, courage, and stamina to achieve success.

The wind spurs
the sails to unfold
with a clap,
the waves roll
a thunderous roar,
the ship bounces
and wallows bestride,
life, we take the ride.

Do that one thing, then do another, then keep going until it is done. That is how you conquer today and succeed tomorrow.

Sip long at the Well,
Draw in all the strength you need,
Plenty left, indeed.

There is abundance
Never fear to share your things,
The return is great.

Among the bright stars
That smile outshines the novas,
It captured my heart.

If you were with me
The gray skies would not matter,
You would light the way.

If I could, I would
Create a story to take
You where you should go,
But it is up to you, you know?

These boxes I save
I wonder, do I think they
Will fill magically?
No, I think, I could pack them
With goodies to send away
And maybe someone would smile,
I would make a difference.

Made from the scrap planks
Gathered where buildings came down,
Creativity
Was his, and years later stands,
Monument to those weathered hands.

Home, be it simple,
The heart there hearkens, resides,
The soul flies by night.

The chair is empty,
Away from its native room;
Class dismissed too soon.

I speak out, you do what you want.

I do a lot of stream of consciousness stuff like this on Facebook, in my “Brain Dump Notebook,” and in my head. Things never stop coming. It can be a bit disconcerting. I thought I would share these few from yesterday with you.

I am grateful:

I am given words, and I can make pictures to go along.
Time is pliable, we can fill it as we will.
Paper is relatively cheap.
Creativity is a constant companion.
Hope is still here. She is the gray and white Shih Tzu pictured above. You can see her growth if you recognize it.
Chocolate, do I have to explain?
Hot showers are available.

As a prompt try making up some witticisms of your own. These really are not hard, you only have to reach into your core and pull out pieces of your heart. If you are unused to doing this, you should practice. If you want to enthrall your audience, you must bleed. Until they see the lifeblood pouring out, they are unapt to believe.

Be sure you mean it when you take on a giant because if it suspects you lack commitment, it will destroy and eat you alive.

If you are fearful, take heart. Small successively more rigorous steps with allow you to overcome your terrors.

Invite mistakes, make failure part of the process on your path to ultimate success.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. I appreciate the time you have invested. I hope you will follow by clicking the button or invite you to simply come back often. You are fantastic, you can overcome obstacles and conquer problems that beset you. Let no one degrade you. As you go about, share your smile, be generous with praise, expect whoever you meet to become your friend, no strangers here. Welcome the world, and you will find it full of hope and peace. Take care, and God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Always and Forever.

Short, short

I spent time with a friend of mine on Saturday, during the afternoon and evening. It was a joyous occasion. I wrote a poem through the night hours of Saturday morning, but I am uncertain of its reception, so I shall hang on to it and ponder whether I should post.

These are “Brain Dump Notebook” jottings. You might be surprised I can write short.

Creatives often ignore the rules, because they are exploring uncharted territory where accepted norms do not apply.

Sometimes sadness, depression, fear, overtake me, but I love you guys. My world glows a little brighter because of each of you.

If the road is not
Leading you where you would like
Get off, blaze a trail,
Maybe others will follow;
You may pioneer alone.

I am grateful:

My son is no longer in school and has acquired training from the U.S. Marine Corps allowing him to adequately defend himself and those around him.
Books, reading, and writing. This is repetitious, but my life would be incomplete without those.
I have been single again so long that I am at peace with it.
Face to face interaction with a friend is a tonic to the soul.
I am learning, my ideas of how others think and feel about me can be distorted, and I should make an effort to find out the truth from the source.
People do nice things.
My sweet puppy dog, Hope, is still here.

As a prompt, you are creative, you have wisdom within, make up some quotes of your own to share. If you are artistic, illuminate them.

Thank you for reading. I hope you will follow or come back when you are available. Remember creativity and love partner; express your dynamic vision in the world with such enthusiasm and tenderness, others are encouraged to change, succeed, or continue because of your example. We are lights, we are not snuffed by the shadows, we brighten the darkness, allowing others to find their pathway. It will not be ours, but theirs as individuals enabled through our inspiration. Be careful out there. Hold on to your hope, love, and joy; the world needs you. God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Forever and Always.

Sometimes, A Heartbreak

The formatting is off in this post. I cannot repair it. My apologies.

Today, my heart is broken for our world, our country, our states, our neighborhoods, all of us. There are many hurting people. Those who have lost friends, family, loved ones; lost treasured pets, who are in pain, who have chronic illnesses, who have terminal diseases, whose relationships are battered or shattered, who cannot beat addiction, who are terrified for their children. There are job losses, financial losses, unbearable debt, mental distress, poverty, hunger, homelessness, war, bullying, and I could probably go on forever. Our world is a troubled and violent place. Safety is hardly real, the risk is constant, death is a breath away.

Some scoff at the name of Jesus, some say they do not need prayers, only actions. When I grew up, prayer was constant and all over. It was not consigned to obscurity. I do not remember life being such a tenuous proposition then. We believed in the good of one another. God has been sent away, and the increase in troubles keeps multiplying. Love has become rare, lust more common, hate a regular outcry.

You may disregard God as you wish, but I pray He finds you. This world needs Jesus, it requires the love only God can provide. Lives need saving. Let those of us who will, abide in Christ’s love, and share it with everyone we meet. People need love. Love can redeem lives. Let each of us be messengers, soothing hands, transmitting the love of the Savior to our communities. We must go, for they must hear and know, for the Lord sends us, and we are His to command.

When I am haunted, I sleep little, and my mind requires that I write. Perhaps, you would have me write otherwise. I am given words, it is not so much a choice as an outpouring over which my control is meager. I understand some may disbelieve that statement, but it has always been the way with me.

Struggle continues

My mind dislikes obeying
The commands I give
It has its own words and ways
I am a vessel of clay.

Shall I be thankful? It is my usual way. I am grateful:

1. My son grew up with a heart and an intention to serve.

2. I spoke my truth, and it cost, perhaps I should learn to curb my honesty when it has the barbs in.

3. I am blessed with topics and words lately.

4. I am getting a little sleep with the aid of a medication cocktail that helps curb my pain. Not opioids or anything addictive for those who might have a concern. My usual meds, plus some NSAIDs.

5. I made some calls and clarified my needs with some businesses. One was insurance, I have a problematic relationship with coverage, but anyway.

6. The ice maker does work, it only requires you provide it with, newsflash, water.

7. I paid bills, bills are evidence you have things in your life, those are blessings. Therefore the need to make payments shows you are provided for by God’s sufficiency.

As a prompt, explain your faith or lack thereof. Consider how you can exhibit faith conjoined with love. Create something that embodies your belief.

I do so appreciate your visit here at Haphazard Creative. You are always welcome and invited to return. Should you want, there is a follow button which will subscribe you to updates. I am freezing. TMI. This world needs love, which entails being courageous enough to reach out benevolently to the people we encounter each day or night, I guess. So I encourage you to put that gorgeous, ice-melting smile on your face and express the friendliness that abides in your soul. You can give your love away as often as you will, and it will be replenished, so you never run out, and the really cool thing, love will return to you. Be grateful, be hopeful, but be careful and aware, keep yourself from danger what you can. God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Forever and Always.

If you missed them, there are previous posts you may wish to read. I have done some exceptional writing of late.

Reaction to yet another mass killing

Instead of arguing, we adults need to have focused time with the children with whom we are in contact. We need to explain how precious they are to us, and how every life is beyond price. This was once communicated by our religious and moral teaching but has fallen away. Therefore, we must make it abundantly clear, in whatever way we can. Concern for those around us, those we know and cherish, those we love, must be fostered in all those who are our future, or I fear, we have much of which to be afraid.

Something must change. I do not believe legislation of any type can solve the problem of mass killings. The government does a poor job of the things we consign to it. We, the people, must exhibit, exhort, exude love for others, and engender it in those who are lacking.

Discussion, argument, disagreement happen, for those to end in violence is directly in opposition to the values we should encourage in everyone with whom we interact.

Life is a gift, no matter how one interprets its generation, and it should be treasured as something beyond price. We have seen the dead, and at this time they do not rise, the loss is permanent in this realm, and that understanding must be conveyed, so no one believes shooting someone or any other violence that causes death, is reversible.

Our society is full of entertainments that glorify violence and show deaths, but then the person is alive again; in video games characters regenerate. Many live on their screens and become desensitized to reality. It is an obligation to teach the difference between fantasy and real life. I fear we often do a poor job of this.

Maybe I am not an ideal person to make this comment, but I considered it might make you think and possibly take action that causes a change. Love to all of you, and to whom accepts it, God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Forever and Always.

As a prompt, contemplate how you can help others understand how valuable life is. If you do not have a daily routine that transmits love to others, I recommend you consider how you may do so. Create something filled with love’s meaning.

I am grateful:

We finished proofing one magazine.
Music.
Books.
Pens.
Computers, tablets, phones.
Quilts.
Friendship.
Doggy kisses.
Writing.
Love.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. I know my subject today is painful, upsetting, to some alienating, and not the sunshine, rainbows, roses, and butterflies that are preferred. I read an article in NYT, and my article is a reaction. If it troubles or disappoints you, I apologize. Check back another day, sometimes the world is not so much with me. If you like follow, there is a button.

Be careful out there. Share love often as you can. God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Always and Forever.