Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Creativity and Achieving Potential

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
~Walter Bagehot (1826-1877)

As a writer and an artist, I have often wondered from where some of my ideas originate. I do know at times they come from beyond me. A few years ago I sculpted from clay, for the first time, a figure of a nude woman. I loved working with clay. I found as I built up and formed the clay it was almost as if the figure itself took on a life of her own and was guiding me. I would watch her and see an aura, an energy, and it was fun to watch. Later when I had her cast in bronze something was lost of the energy that had been present in the clay…. The clay that was formed by my hands but guided from beyond me….

Too often we may think of creativity being a trait shared only by successful painters, musicians, writers, and other artistic people who are able to produce artistic works. But within each of us are powers of imagination and creativity waiting to be discovered, unleashed, and shared. It seems we think too often of creativity having to be some great masterpiece but creativity encompasses many things. It can as simple as making a beautiful flower arrangement, cooking a gourmet meal served with elegance, crocheting a pair of baby slippers, decorating a room in your home, landscaping a yard or planting a garden, making a child’s toy from wood.

Our simple accomplishments can bring a sense of pride and satisfaction. And that satisfaction may not be any less than the satisfaction felt by a great master artist of the past. If we believe we can create a world of possibility, a world of abundance, a world of vision, then it can happen. It’s our choice, it’s about attitude.

A Blogger friend and fellow amputee,
Michael had this inspirational video today on his Blog and I wanted to share it, also. It is a little long, but humorous and well worth watching as Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor Benjamin Zander shows what a world of possibility is.

Benjamin Zander – From Pop!Tech 2008
The only conductor to ever lead the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Zander is a prophet of human potential and an unrivaled champion of joie de vivre. Watch as he helps unlock the boundless potential of a 15 year old cellist and teaches the entire Pop!Tech audience what it means to live in a world of possibility.





How is your world of possibility?


"Music is well said to be the speech of angels." ~Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)


~Linda


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

My parents tried to curse me when I was a teenager when they told me I would probably grow up to be just like them...not that they have a terrible life or anything, but I certainly didn't want to be like them. I wanted to be whatever I wanted to be. And so I have carried that with me since a kid.

That's also why I don't like taking lessons all that much. Because if someone tells me how they did it, then I may be compelled to follow down their path instead of creating my very own unique way of interacting with the world.

When I was a kid I used to like watching world class athletes and I noticed there were essentially two kinds. Those that were ego driven and those that thanked god for their victories. I actually couldn't understand that at the time and it perplexed me. But after having walked long distance trails and having arrived into the groove of the moment, one transcends the physical and one flows with spirit and therefore god. Its a surrendering of the self to the moment, and by doing so one flows naturally and channels inspiration with ease. Great artists always say that the piece already existed within the medium and that they only exposed it by chipping away at the edges.
The greatest work that surrounds us, indeed does not come from the individual, but from a greater source of knowledge and wisdom.

Sorry Linda that I can not comment on your videos. I have a really slow internet connection and they take forever to load from this end.
However, I enjoyed your post greatly.

Linda Pendleton said...

Hi Bernie,

So sorry you can’t watch videos. You would have enjoyed this one, I’m sure. I actually watched it twice. But I know how frustrating those slow internet connections are. So glad I don’t have that anymore.

I understand that little bit of “rebel” you had as a kid. I wanted to be independent in thinking also, although I did have a lot of common interest with my Dad. It does stick with us in some ways, and it seems for me, only in recent years, maybe 25, that I have done things my way, said things my way, at least for the most part. Still gets me in trouble! LOL. I have some family members who won’t read either of my blogs…or my books.

I like what you said: “one transcends the physical and one flows with spirit and therefore god.” And …”by doing so one flows naturally and channels inspiration with ease.”

We are lucky to know that we can tune into a greater source of knowledge and wisdom.

Thanks for sharing your comments.

Sydney said...

I too loved the quote and am thinking I might send it to someone who could use it's inspiration right now.

I applaud your prolific ability to have a writing career and still want to write not just one but several blogs. I like the focus of this one, and have been checking in!
any chance of posting a pic of your clay-- or bronze-- lady?

Erin said...

Hi Linda,

I really enjoyed this video. I teach piano to grade school kids and I love how Zander was giving that young man little tips about smiling, one-buttock playing, etc. To me his emphasis was not so much on being technically correct, but rather "feeling" the music. I find myself stressing that to my students as well.

Creativity definitely comes from the heart and soul. It's not something you can conjure up in the mind. I feel that's why I hated being a scientist. Too much thinking and analyzing and not enough feeling.

Mark said...

I too often feel as though I am simply an instrument which is being guided by another source. The possibilities are limitless. Thanks for sharing an inspiring video.

Linda Pendleton said...

Sydney,
E. Michele,
Mark,
Thank you all for your nice comments. The video is inspirational and such a good example of how "feeling" the music made such a difference. It is a heart/soul connection when tha "feeling" is reached.
The possibilities are limitless as you said Mark, we just have to remember that.

Ricky Kendall said...

Absolutely fascinating. Teachers like Zander are so rare these days. Every teacher should be required to watch this video.

I'm inspired. I work in a call center with 400 other workers. Even with a canned dialogue, like the ones we use, Zander's teaching method could make a huge difference.

Inflection and smoothness makes a huge difference in communicating with people. Having over 30 years in telephone communications and public service, I have this ability but now I honestly believe I can do it better. I'm actually excited about it. How fun. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tool.

Anonymous said...

I am a family member who is very into your blogs and your philosophy. I am reading some every day now. I enjoy the spiritual comments and how you look at life. I have a lot to read on all your blogs and sites but I will get to it.

I had so many deep spiritual experiences early in my life that I hope to discuss with you. We spent many days in silence in the convent and the silence opened the doors to the world of spirit for me. I have rarely discussed this part of my early life with anyone except my partner who is very spiritual. Where do I begin? Your loving cousin. Syl

Linda Pendleton said...

Hi cousin Syl...
I am thrilled to be sharing all this with you after all these years! You know I always felt a special connection with you when we were growing up...

I'm looking forward to hearing more of your spiritual experiences--and sharing.

Love, your cousin Linda

Linda Pendleton said...

Ricky,
I knew you would enjoy the video. Thanks for your comments.