Michael

It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life - Barthold Georg Niebuhr

Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things. - Ray Bradbury

I started taking guitar lessons last October 7th. I have a fantastic guitar teacher who keeps me quite challenged. I’ve had to deal with feelings of intimidation at least initially, but not really any more. What’s really fulfilling is that the past few months of lessons and practicing are starting to pay off. I’m working on two guitar pieces that are still quite small in duration but I like the sound and the flow of the melodies. I talked to my teacher today about adding and expanding what I had created. It was a great discussion that encompassed a lot of the theory and techniques he had been teaching me. I got some great ideas on how take my new creations in some other directions. I’m having a lot of fun.

The creative process has always been a little challenging for me whether I’m playing music, taking photographs or writing. I’m learning how much you have to “let go”, stop thinking and allow the creative process work on its own. I liken it to going on a ride and enjoying the scenery. I’m also discovering that creating requires you to open up and bare yourself. That’s difficult for me. But, bearing your soul is what makes the creation real. It doesn’t really matter whether your creation is “judged” good or bad by others. The important part is to create. So, here I am today creating, sharing the creation, generating new ideas plus being excited about the entire process.

Life is good.

Michael