Variation Inspires Creation
September 9th, 2008 by John Wolfe
As is customary for me, every time a public television pledge drive comes around, I have to tune into their broadcasting. Throughout the year, PBS normally has a variety of great programming, but around pledge time they really bring out their “A” game. This is when you can expect to see programs featuring people like Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra.
So on Saturday morning, shortly after waking, I turned on the TV to see what my local public television channel was airing. They were already forty five minutes into a show called, The Artist’s Way at Work, with Mark Bryan. Now, even though I was only able to catch the last fifteen minutes of the program, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I always find myself enthralled when watching and listening to what inspires the creative process in artists (or anyone). Perhaps there’s nothing that peaks my interest more than hearing about that which gets the creative juices flowing. To learn what stirs and drives others always tunes me into my own inspiration to create.
During the last quarter of the program, Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame was discussing what prevents him from stagnating as an artist. He was talking about how versatility and variation are often the keys to inspiring his creativity.
I have found the same to be true of my inspiration for being creative. My muse is definitely the variety in my pursuits. This is why I write and record audio programs here at Wind of the Soul, yet I also build Halloween artwork, take photographs, brainstorm gift giveaways and make videos at Season of Shadows. I’m passionate about everything I do or else I wouldn’t do it. And, even though each project is exciting to me, the consistent variety always provides freshness to my work and to my life.
Now, when I speak of creativity I’m not strictly referring to artwork, writing, crafts or music. Each and every one of us is a creator in our own unique way. We are constantly in different stages of creation, even if we are thinking thoughts which have yet to manifest through our physical actions.
Just because you may not pick up a brush and touch it to canvas, doesn’t mean you can’t be inspired to continually create in new ways through variety and versatility. It’s for this reason I’m hesitant to ever limit myself to one primary pursuit. I think it’s far too easy for us to slip into a solitary role and see ourselves as “that person” for the rest of our lives- whether the role is defined by a philosophy, a job, our career, hobby or a relationship. While there’s nothing wrong with inhabiting the skin of that somewhat singular character, I think there is something extremely important about taking creative “risks”. Creative risks are the backbone of every journey and their end product.
A creative risk can be a tough thing to undertake if we doubt our abilities and fear what others will ultimately think. However, without the willingness to venture into those unchartered waters, our creativity and our creative abilities can become stagnant. As we stagnate, we tend to lose even more faith in what we’re capable of accomplishing.
Now, I’ve never been a huge advocate of the face your fears ideology, in spite of the tremendous anxiety and terror you’re feeling inside. I’ve tried it many times and I will admit it can help in certain situations, but there are many more circumstances in which it only reinforces and exacerbates the original fear. Instead, I believe we must re-examine our fear and get a better understanding of why it’s there before we move forward to challenge it, but only if the pursuit is indeed something we consider worthwhile. In doing so, our emotions won’t be so out of control and we won’t be so overly attached to the fear as it rears its head.
I only mention I’m not a full on “face your fear” advocate because I don’t want anyone to feel bad if they’re afraid to employ variety and take creative risks. Again this comes back to finding what you’re passionate about. Once passion fuels your drive, then it’s obviously a worthwhile pursuit and it becomes easier to release the fear involved with taking the creative risk.
The beauty in embracing variety is that it allows us to try so many different endeavors. It seems like a common misconception that we should stick to one thing (get really good at it) and not divide our time among multiple pursuits. Again, that’s fine if someone has a singular interest. But for those of us that have a strong thirst for many different things, it’s comforting and inspiring to know many other creators do as well. Not only do they have multiple interests but their creativity actually flourishes by keeping their pursuits varied. Variation creates a beneficial, synergistic effect among all of their endeavors which continues to further inspire their creative genius.
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September 14th, 2008 at 2:43 am
John, this was a dynamic blog entry dear friend
I’m extremely pleased, as always, that you shared your inner most thoughts regarding yet another different topic, “Creativity.” I feel that’s something which is overlooked all to often in the world we live in. Many humans are overwhelmed in the daily mundane routine of their lives that they do not honor their inner child, or their inner self and exercise the right side of their brain. When I look about today’s society and I see most consumed with superficial materialism, the TV or movies, or some type of short lived stimuli, is it no wonder that most find that they are not “happy.” I hear of many stories of billions of people just not able to muster up the “creative juice” to even THINK of what they can do. Again, another limitation placed on humans by society rules….which I have never been one to follow “rules” 
What I enjoyed about this blog as well is that you help to remind us all that there ARE varitey of forms OF creativity. For some it’s painting, drawing, making crafts but I think it’s often overlooked that even taking a nice long bike ride is being creative as well. Tending to the garden. Making orgonite
is nuturing that creative streak. For me, even cleaning house or helping out my mom is a form of creativity for me. I relish that you point out the many forms of truly being creative. Moreover, have you noticed that while your in the state of expressing yourself in such a way that your very much living in the NOW moment? I can think of many who have asked me, “how do I stay in the now moment?” They try so hard that little do they know they are not really in the now moment at all. By doing whatever is you love doing, on the MANY different levels that exist, your naturally in the flow of the now moment and it’s most healing to say the least.
“Creative risks”–indeed. This would apply to many things in life in general which I suppose is where the statement, “take a leap of faith” comes in. Agreed as well, this would apply to many things other than expressing yourself in an artisic sort of way. Creative risks in new jobs that resonate the right way, creative risks in opening a wounded heart to a true loving relationship, healing friendships that meant something to you in the past, and so on. In other words, stepping INTO the UNKNOWN. Yes, not always a comfortable thought at the moment but once the fear is dropped, or healed, you allow the beauty of our Creator and the Divine Plan to be played out, as you have already programmed your life as such.
I am sorry for the long comment but this entry touched me on many levels, paint brush aside
Most of your blog writing does that to me. I end up reflecting on a much larger scale than before reading your entry. Your podcasts are very simular in that way only we have the added bonus of hearing the deep healing tones and frequencies of your voice. Something very ancient about the tone of your voice, hope that doesn’t sound to corny or to personal. Better stop while I’m ahead….or am I, LoL. Thank you for sharing with us all in the divinely communicated way that you do John. To this date, I have yet to read anybody’s blog that is even remotely as intense and powerful as yours are. Thank you dear friend, thank you very much~~~
Many Blessings, Goldie
September 15th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Goldie,
Thank you so much for your beautiful thoughts. Never hesitate in leaving a lengthy comment as I enjoy it! I’m working on preparing some things for Season of Shadows, but will leave a longer comment back later.
October 18th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hi John, ya know, I responded to your recent blog last night, which was also quite lengthly of rather deep thoughts, but when I went to check it now, it’s like I never even wrote it. I wish I could even recall half of what I wrote. I WAS awake, it was not a dream. I’ve been having some of thee strangest things happen to me.
Upon catching a small nap just now before my dogsitting is done, something extremely LOUD and heavy dropped beside me, near Dude (our male Boxer) and then bumped two more times. It not only startled me but him too and we both sat straight up wondering where on Earth that sound came from. The sound, for some reason, reminded me of those BIG family size baked beans at the store…..it felt like one of those hit beside me then bounced twice. Once I arose to my feet and tore apart my make-shift bed, there was NOTHING beside me!! No can, no pc part, no SOMETHING that would make the floor thud. John…..NOTHING!!
I really don’t know what is going on around me and the great thing about the internet, yet it’s downfall as well, is that there are SOOOOO MANY variety of opinions to study up on. Sadly, most are all in opposite paths of each other so it can leave someone confused when simply only desiring an answer. Such as the world we live in right now. So many secrets being exposed now and many, if not all of us in some way or another, are seeking definate answers. The loud thud sound however, was taken to a whole new level between not just me hearing me and FEEEEELING it, but the Boxers too. When you have more time after Halloween, I would love to hear if anything “came to you” while I shared this story. These sounds and sensations have really been kicked up a few notches and moreso from just this year, 2008.
I’m sorry to make this non-related to this blog post. I originally wanted to say thank you for this comment I just now read and upon going over my 1st comment back to you…..WOW, did I type that
My writing may not be as beautifully polished off as yours but at least I tend to get my point across or thoughts shared in an understandable fashion. LoL, for me, someone so strictly private, I type waaaaaaay to much about myself online. Curse you inspirational John……Nooooooo, just kidding! It’s through you and other facets in life, that I have some of my more profound spiritual knowledge released inside of me. Must be a vib thing 
When you have time, I would love to hear what you thought about my first comment on this blog. This was a more deep felt comment entry for me so I’m curious as to what you thought of when it came to you. I value your opinions and personal thoughts always. Best go……
All My Best, Goldie~~~