Hi Peeps!
Have you ever gone through what feels like a dry spell of the soul and waited and waited for it to pass? Sometimes we are held captive by our own beliefs and fears.
I have rediscovered that out of struggle we can often find hope at life’s intersection of worry and wisdom. I am on a quest for wisdom. How about you?
Muse Solomon’s message today is a simple reminder to listen to the whispers of our soul where Wisdom resides. He urged me to share what I am re-learning lately as I have been frequently immobilized at that intersection, often choosing worry over wisdom.
Today’s notes are about Solomon nudging me away from worry to a pursuit of wisdom.
So I have put my body in the chair and my hands on the keyboard to write from my heart and to leave behind that old, persistent and nagging worry, “What will people think?”
I know “What will people think?” is not the right question to live by. You know that too. But we can get as trapped in worry and fear as a fly in a spider web.
The pull to worry is greater for some of us than others. We have our reasons to fear. Fears are legitimate as caution signs but not as dictators of our soul’s unique calling.
So lately I have been reading. And reading. And reading.
And I have been Listening. And listening. And listening
And I have been taking notes and noting – lots of “God nudges.”
The nudges are sometimes subtle and others not so subtle! But I know even a little nudge can move us.
So while I am often caught between worry and wisdom, I do know way down deep in my soul that God’s nudges are wise. Discernment is a process of living and learning! Still, I stumble and sometimes have wandered off the path of hope and trust. I know many of you know what this feels like.
Without further philosophizing (a trait I inherited and/or learned from our dad), today’s wisdom nuggets reflect many authors’ work but with a specific focus on one book that has inspired me to take action.
I have used the words “notes, noting, and nudges” since I have been inspired by Quincy Jones, a renowned musician, composer, film producer, humanitarian etc.
His memoir and message is: 12 Notes on Life and Creativity.
Notice (take note of) his life lessons are based on 12 “notes” and of course all music is based on twelve notes. What an amazing truth that is! From lullabies to triumphal entries or “Jesus Loves Me” to Handel’s Messiah etc.
Quincy says this book is written “for the young artist who might be finding himself or herself in the shoes that I was once, trying to navigate a unique path….”
I delight in sharing with you his wisdom because you and I are also artists. We are creatives. And his twelve notes on how to find our path is music for the soul.
Here are some of my notes and quotes from his book that I hope will seep into your hearts too.
TWO BIG NUDGES for me (and maybe for you?)
I. “Always be prepared for a great opportunity . . .If you take a good look around, you’ll find that a lot of people ideate but not many of them execute…..you have to be emotionally ready to put the required energy into whatever it is you are striving for because, if you don’t you’ll hop into a vehicle with no gas.” p. 61
“When you allow yourself to settle into a mindset of fear, you default to the assumption you’re not capable or worth enough to handle the task at hand.” p.60
Wow! I am learning to be on the lookout for great opportunities to share the wisdom that Solomon whispers to me and I am often too distraught to listen.
II. “Avoid Paralysis From Analysis”
Quincy says, “There is no single formula for creativity, but if he had to choose one it would be: “Get out of your own way.” He went on to share four points for us to get out of our own way:
1. Not putting yourself in a box. “Don’t be boxed into what society expects.”
2. Listening to your gut instincts. Quincy reminds us, “we so often dismiss our greatest ideas, thinking they’re supposed to make some type of grand entrance when, in reality they may often just present themselves in the form of a whisper.”
Wow again! How many great ideas do I dismiss due to ego fragility?
3. The goosebump test: This, Quincy says is the best way to follow your instincts! “If the music I am creating gives me goosebumps, odds are it’ll do the same for a least one other person. Getting locked into making a product that you think the public will want only robs you of authenticity. . .”
“…. If I’m focused on what critics will say or what listeners might think . . . that type of attitude only serves to override my natural instincts, which is a much more powerful and direct source of inspiration. This point helps me have a lighter attitude. It makes creating fun.”
4. A great song and story Quincy shares, “It’s easy to get caught up in what we think other people will want. Along the way, we end up forgetting the most important ingredient in learning how to get out of your own way, a great song and story.”
CONCLUSION
I must stop here!
Clearly we humans have basic resources (12 notes for music, 10 numerals for math and 26 letters for writing) that provide unlimited possibilities for our creative minds to express one aspect or another of the organic nature of curiosity and creativity.
Through all forms of art we can tell our stories and share our journeys of ups and downs that are foundational to success and service.
So let’s get going and encourage each other! May we experience the goosebumps of excitement and play and joy as we honor our hearts’ callings.
And remember parenting and teaching are high callings and creative endeavors extraordinaire!
The heart pumps life into our bodies and our bodies of work.
So from my heart to yours I say let’s play at our work! :
Margie and supportive Solomon the muse…
