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.

Mental Realignment

Years ago, I went to a chiropractor for a brief period of time.  One of the reasons for going was out of curiosity.  I had heard about the benefits regarding alignment of the vertebrae in one’s back.  I went a handful of time for the re-alignment, then realized, that for at least me, there were no additional benefits at that time.  When you think of it, even the vehicles that we drive, occasionally need a tire alignment.  Over time, a vehicles’ tires need to be realigned (and rebalanced) to help optimize performance and tire wear.  As we move through time and space, I began to realize that we occasionally need time to realign our mental abilities, thoughts and processes.

Unless we are perennially at a standstill, we will continue to take on many experiences, challenges and daily activities.  Between family life, work, volunteering, hobbies, etc., there is a bountiful amount of activities afoot.  The ability to segment each portion of our lives into distinct timeframes becomes important so that we can focus, at any given planned moment, on the activity before us.  When that activity finishes, we mentally store that away until next time, bringing forth and into focus the next activity we are engaging in.  It is the same as partitioning one’s day appropriately and focusing on that task for a given time (i.e., exercise in the morning, work 9-5, family 5 – 8, volunteer 8-10, etc.) and why it is important to use an agenda, or calendar, of some sort, to organize our activities.  Can we keep everything in its place all of the time?

Maintaining times for each activity takes diligence and has to be a planned activity as well.  But what happens when an event occurs that demands more than the allotted time?  We have all had times where a crisis occurs, there is something new on the horizon or there are simply changes that need to be addressed.  Seemingly, all of a sudden, our brain power is taken up, pushing aside other thoughts / activities and mental focus.  Sometimes, we see this coming; other times, however, we realize it after the fact, because while it is occurring, our excess brain power has already been consumed.  Once identified, we must go through our own mental realignment, take the time to step back, evaluate where our time is spent, review the importance of what is consuming our mental time and adjust, or align, accordingly.  

Independence 2019

As the second half of the year begins, as Americans, we take one day, July 4^th, to step back and celebrate the birth of our great nation.  In many nations across the globe, there are many countries where the population is nationalistic, proud of their place of birth / origin and celebrate similarly every year.  For me, this is a day to celebrate the birth of our nation, parades take place and we spend time together as a family.  OK, in truth, this is really more than just a one-day celebration – there are celebrations on the weekends and fireworks presented by the neighboring towns over a bunch of nights.

For this year, as for the past many years, one of the ways that I look forward to celebrating our Independence Day is as clown in a local parade.  For about an hour and a half, I had one simple goal, spread happiness!  The group that I work with, Miles of Smiles, takes an interactive approach to parades – we do not march in the parade down the middle of the street, but walk along the sides, interacting with the people and high-fiving children of all ages.  It is about making them feel good, giving them a memory and adding to a positive experience.  For me, it is really a chance to live in the moment - I was able to not have to worry about making decisions, no thoughts regarding the issues of the day and no crises to avert.  That time in the parade was a series of small slices of time and watching a smile appear on someone else’s face.  Needless to say, by the end of the parade, I was tired.  Onto the next two events, in costume, of course. 

As we celebrated the 4^th, it really was a celebration about a nation that broke away from being a colony.  A country striking forward with new thoughts and new ideas for that time period.  We were to be a country without a king, but representative leadership selected by the population.  In a relatively small amount of time, aside from becoming a world power, we were able to lead in multiple areas of development, technology and thought.  We have many good, positive reasons to celebrate.  I hope that you all had a great 4^th of July.

When in Rome, Eat Pizza?

The travelers return home!

Bec has been home for almost a week now.  It has been great hearing her tell stories of her adventures of the past month – Israel, Greece, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland and The Czech Republic.  While traveling, Bec and her friend, Jenn, figured out what apps to use on their phones to help navigate their way through each country and how to maximize their time.  One of the big takeaways that I learned was no matter where they went, no matter which country they were in, they spent time and palate on enjoying the local cuisines.  They did not look for the American fast food places that seem to have gone global but truly understood that each country has its own food offerings and tastes.

Some of their local culinary experiences included:

• In Israel, they enjoyed hummus, falafel, baklava, shawarma and local wines
• In Greece, they enjoyed tzatziki, souvlaki and moussaka
• In Italy, they enjoyed pasta, pizzas in different regions, gelato and local wines
• In Brussels, they found out it was the originator of the Fry, enjoyed liege waffles (what we call Belgium waffles), chocolate and beer
• In Amsterdam, they enjoyed a burger, Stroopwafel, bitterballen and croquettes
• In Germany, they tried the local bier, flammkuchen (one of Bec’s favorites), pretzels, schnitzels and chocolate
• In Poland, they enjoyed perogies and local beers.  Interesting thing, Bec does not like liver.  However, she had a perogy sampler plate and her favorite was chicken liver perogies and kasha – it just goes to show that you never know whether you like something or not until you taste it, as preparations are different wherever you go.
• In The Czech Republic, they enjoyed goulash and Trdelník, a pastry filled with fruit and cremes of your choice.

Yes, we can find many of these foods here in the US, but it is never the same nor as fresh tasting as from where they originate.  I often use the story of being in a deli in Dublin and seeing a “New York City Sandwich.”  First off, there is no sandwich called that (especially in New York City) and I am not even sure what was in the sandwich that was representative of NY.  That is similar to eating food here at a Chinese restaurant versus a local restaurant when I was in Hong Kong.  Not the same.  I am proud that the girls spent the time to eat locally.  It was an opportunity to try new foods, to understand the culture from a different point of view and to realize that people in different parts of the world, while the same as us in many ways, have different ways of culinary expression.  It is an important learning experience that follows the old phrase that starts, “When in Rome…”

Where Did Our Babies Go?

I was recently talking with someone and we were saying how it is odd that we do not feel like we have changed or grown older.  However, if we look at our children and where they are, it is a completely different story.  Yes, we bare the signs of age - like how my joints make creaking and popping sounds while exercising, or the addition of grey hairs.  In the song “Sunrise, Sunset”, they sing, “I don’t remember getting older, When did they?” rings true.

I recently held a new baby for the first time in many years.  It brought back memories of holding our babies, even though it now seems like ancient history to me.  I cannot believe that I have one daughter who works and one daughter, who travelled for a month and is now going to look for a fulltime job.  Gab is involved as a bride’s maid for her friend who has adopted Debbie and me.  I remember when the hardest thing we had to decide was where should we go and play on the weekend, or who would be taking them to their friends’ parties.  Now, it is picking them up from the airport, helping them with car decisions, and hoping that they remember to let us know what they are doing.  That is a long way away from when they were babies.  Oh, if that is not enough to make me begin to feel old…the baby I was holding was Gab and Bec’s babysitter’s first baby.

It is odd how all of these thoughts rattle around in my head around the Father’s Day Weekend.  I still have my father, for which I am thankful for.  As a father, I am blessed that I have the children that I have.  While I know that it is nice to have a special day to focus on each of our parents, Father’s Day has become a day where my brothers and our families get together, grill some good eats and quaff a few frosty beverages with our dad.  For me, however, I still maintain that Father’s Day for me is every day – I have my children as my gift.  As with a new born, each new thing they do, each new adventure they try and each new accomplishment is as fascinating to watch today as were those small “first steps.”

To Travel the World

In the early 70’s, my parents went to Israel on their anniversary.  I remember that it was such a big deal to make such a venture that all of their friends came over for a bon voyage party.  Similarly, my grandparents went on the QE2 around the same time period and the entire family was able to go onboard for a small party and then watch as the boat pulled out (yes, just like those OLD movies).  Times have changed significantly in the past 40 years!  Today, going on a cruise is a regular vacation option, instead of a special event with a super high price tag.  Same with plane travel.  While people my age did backpack, it was not common to know many people who traveled abroad.

That brings me to Bec, who has her degree in Travel-Tourism and Hospitality and an MBA with a concentration in Hospitality Management.  It would be natural for her to want to travel.  Which is exactly what she is doing!  This is professional research and development at its finest example. 

I am not exactly sure when Bec caught the travel bug.  Yes, she does have a global map which shows where she has traveled.  To put this in terms that are easy to wrap our hands around…she has been to more counties than the number of states that I had been to when I reached her age!  This current adventure started taking shape more than a year ago, always based on starting with a Birthright trip.  Birthright, a non-for-profit organization, which began 20 years ago to provide young adults an opportunity for a free 10-day trip educational trip to discover Israel.  Gab had taken her trip a few years.  Since that time, Bec began planning when she would go.  The cool thing is that after the trip inside Israel, you can travel anywhere, but need to return to Tel Aviv for the free flight home. 

The planning began.  After four years being educated in her field, and having previously planned her and Gab’s trip to Europe two summers ago, the research began.  The key was to do the trip on a very tight budget.  There are free tours available – check.  There are inexpensive places to stay – check.  There are inexpensive means of transportation – check.  Into travel agent mode Bec went, planning the trip for herself and her friend Jenn.  When the planning was completed, a four-week itinerary appeared.  As a parent, it was great to see that the cost of education was being put to personal use.  As a traveler, Bec is also open-minded enough to know that each potential adventure can lead to new experiences, new places and just as importantly, new cuisines.  There is the old saying, “measure twice, cut once.”  Because she took her time and did the proper research, the first half of the trip is going well so far!

When Debbie and I got married, we went to Israel.  I let my father know that we arrived safely by sending a one-page fax for $10.  Times have changed drastically in the past 27.5 years.  Using her cell phone (we could not afford them in 1991), she sent us a message (for free) letting us know that she had arrived safely.  We hear from her regularly and she keeps a travel journal on Instagram (rebeccasroadtrip).  The world has truly become smaller and the ability to keep in touch simpler.  As the R&D continues and based on Bec’s feedback, we now have some ideas of where we would like to go travel in the future.  I hope that whatever path Bec takes, she is able to pursue this passion.  It’s a big world with many exciting places to visit and her journey has just begun!

Seeing Beyond One’s Nose

I have been wearing glasses for about 45 years.  Without them, while I can “see,” the world is blurry and reading is extremely difficult.  Since my glasses sit upon my nose, you might say that without them, I truly have trouble “seeing” beyond my nose.  Thankfully, corrective glasses help my vision.  The ability to improve our sight has been in existence for almost 1000 years, with Arabian mathematician Alhazen being dubbed the “Father of Modern Optics” around the year 1000.  I am appreciative of all the advancements, including Ben Franklin’s creation of the bifocal, of which, due to the age of my eyes, I now take advantage of.  We clearly use technology to help improve our physical vision.

But what about our “mental” vision?  While there are methods of improving how far we can see with our eyes, what about how far we can see with our minds?  I was once told by an astute consultant, “If you can imagine it, we can create it.”  The limits of what we can do, what we can envision and how we perceive our surroundings are limited by the extent of our imagination and our willingness to see beyond what is directly in front of us.  By way of example, how often when a new “hot” product hits the market, or some new advancement becomes public, do we hear people say (if not ourselves), “that was so obvious, I could have [fill in the blank].”  Of course, once it comes into our sphere of vision, it seems as if it should have always been there and obviously, we should have thought it up.  In reality, however, is we did not because we were unable to see beyond our nose, limited by the scope in which we perceive the world around us.

This concept can be applied anywhere we look in life.  I remember early in my work career asking questions and being told “you only need to know about what you are working on.”  As my career advanced and I had the opportunity to “see” the big picture, the previous task I was assigned made MORE sense within the whole than as a stand-alone activity.  While most people are content with what is standing in front of them, it is the ability to “see” beyond our self-defined barriers that helps us to push forward, to think bigger thoughts and to achieve grander results.  Meeting up with like minded individuals helps to expand one’s vision.  The flip side is those with limited foresight tend to stand out more.  There have been many authors who point out that our view of our tomorrow is based solely on our experiences of yesterday, making it difficult to see “outside the box,” to expand our horizons and to be open to potentially new ideas that will broaden our views.

While I do not have any answers and there is no technology to assist, we have to be diligent and aware when we mentally walk down a path and come to the fork in the road.  One way leads to comfort, the same-ole-same-old and what we are most used to.  The other way is the unknown, fraught with whatever things our imagination can dream up.  Scary?  Maybe.  Exciting?  Most definitely.  And we might actually find out that once we cross over that threshold, the unknown might become the obvious.