Who is Guarding Whom?

In Harlan Ellison’s short story, “Crackpots”, he asks the underlying question – who really are the madmen and who runs the asylum?  It was an interest topic as it does make one realize that our points of view, or perspectives, can have a huge impact on how we view the world around us, how we navigate through life and how we interact with others.  For those amongst us that we deem the “normal” of society, someone who is a genius can sometimes border on insanity.  One might have to suspend commonly accepted methods to be open to other ideas and options.

In my brief time as an IBO (independent business owner) in the network marketing world, we were taught that when we approach a potential customer or IBO, to always lead with “…are you open to…”  As we go through life, how often are we not open to new thoughts, ideas or concepts?  Is it possible to crack that door ajar enough for new things to trickle in, either through the help of other, or, (gasp) of our own volition?  We all have the capacity to think more broadly.  When you are looking to buy a new car, did you all of a sudden look around and wonder why the car you are looking at has become more popular?  They were always there; you just were not “open” to seeing them.

We ran into a similar concept when we re-sided the house many years ago.  We were asked what type of shudders we wanted, or if we even wanted shudders.  We laughed at the time, thinking that shudders were standard and everyone had them.  As we drove around (many times not even looking), we noticed that there are a lot of houses without shudders, they came in some different styles, sizes and contrasting colors.  Without having been open to this beforehand, we never would have realized this.  We had a preconceived notion and potentially cut ourselves off to an option had not someone else point this out.  The “crazy” idea of not having shudders all-of-a-sudden became a possibility.

We all live in a world of commonly accepted practices, group-think, and community derived norms.  We have all met people through our lives that seemed a little bit “out there”, due to the fact they did not comply with our “accepted” practices.  It is interesting to note, that after a few cocktails, we tend to drop our commonly accepted façade and we begin to hypothesize and create new ideas.  These Ideas are generated by the ability to think freely, to push beyond convention and a static environment.  The next morning, as we try to remember through the fog and possible hangover what we envisioned, half the time we dismiss the thoughts as it is outside what others might approve.  It does show that new ideas can flow more freely once the restraints are removed that dam up our abilities to be creative.

So, who are the mad ones, the free thinkers or the practitioners of the generally accepted norm?  And, who is guarding whom, or are have we become monitors / captors of our own thoughts?

Creativity on Pause?

After 297 blog posts, starting late in 2013, posting every Monday – Have I run out of new thoughts, ideas and experiences to write about?  In that time, I have missed only two weeks and that was within the last couple of months.  I like the creative outlet, the chance to share thoughts, and to journal my world.  As we went into last weekend, I did not have an article prepared.  Well, not ready would be more like it.  I had started the article, the topic was relevant (to my life), but the execution was not meaningful.  My main editor as of late (that would be Gab) asked why I did not have a backlog of articles.  There are times when I have a backlog, depending on my creative flow of thoughts. 

It would seem, at least to me, that there are times where we are engaged in certain things / activities and at some point, after years or some significant time, we want to take a step back and re-evaluate where we are at, where we are going, and the overall value of what we are doing.  I guess one way to visualize this thought is to see the way athletes’ function, who during their careers are in peak physical condition and shortly after they retire, so do their bodies.  I saw this with my grandfather – he was in the food business and had a fantastic sense of taste.  Then he decided to retire, and shortly afterwards his taste buds decided to follow the same course, as fine dining was replaced by mediocre buffets.  To maintain the same high level / standards, it requires diligence, persistence and consistency which takes energy and time. 

I started writing to fulfill something that I had always wanted to do, but never had a fully fleshed out an idea enough to be a book.  This shorter form, blogging, met that desire and still brings me pleasure.  OK, the creative pictures that I include also fulfill that creative notion.  Having missed a week, nobody noticed…which means that if I stop, would anyone say anything?  Truth is, I would notice.  I enjoy sharing my thoughts, I enjoy the challenge that this signifies to me and I enjoy the fact that I can point to something I have done consistently.

Jascha Heifetz, considered amongst one of the greatest violinists, is also known for saying, “If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it.”  The fact that he acknowledges himself first in the list shows the integrity of his approach towards his art and ability.  While it is easy to take a break, step back or go on hiatus, it is easier to remain idle than to start up again.  The old example of a steam engine – where there is an immense amount of energy expended to start the train moving, so much so that a rock on the track could stop the entire process.  But, once in motion, that same train will crush through anything in its way while using little energy.  That is the power of momentum.  While I missed last week, it was merely a bump in the road and now it is back to doing what I enjoy.