PEBBLE
The most powerful, efficient energy source in the world is your own mind. Explore and discover that it can make creative fuel from anything.
-Bruce Garrabrandt, shared by Pete in Ouray, CO
BOULDER
Creativity involves not only a passionate interest but self-confidence too. A person needs a healthy self-respect to pursue novel ideas, and to make mistakes, despite criticism from others. Self-doubt there may be, but it cannot always win the day. Breaking generally accepted rules, or even stretching them, takes confidence. Continuing to do so, in the face of skepticism and scorn, takes even more.
-Margaret Boden, shared by Carol in Bloomington, IN
PONDER
Besides being a time of great struggle, for many this has also been a period of great creativity. Throughout history, periods of significant hardship have elicited significant technological advancement and artistic expression. Some of it is borne of necessity, and it is also true that creative constraints can serve as useful scaffolding that allows creativity to flourish.
I will certainly remember 2020 as one of the roughest years for my business, a period of record-breaking LOWS: the number of presentations I gave, the total number of people I fired up, and the frequency of my travel adventures were all the lowest they’ve been since I became self employed full time back in 1997. It will also stand as one of the HIGHS in terms of creative output: video pep talks; our We Got This and Change the Tide stickers; the Handwashing Meditation; forming Paul’s Patreon Peeps; re-launching the Daily Splash texts, learning how to Zoomie Zoom; and of course releasing a second book: Ripples of Hope: Wisdom for Navigating Uncertainty.
I’ve been working hard on another project that I’m excited to finally share with you: The Ripples Pondcast! I’ve been curious to explore podcasting as a medium to extend our ripply fun, and this first season allows me to achieve another goal: sharing an audio version of Ripples for Reflection in a way that doesn’t cost money for me or you. You can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and each Wednesday in 2021, you can hear me share an issue of Ripples. Or watch me, even, as I’ll post the video version on YouTube as well.
And so, my Ripply colleagues and friends: if your creative juices have been flowing lately, it’s okay to be excited about that. Share your gifts and your gladness with the world! If you’ve been hibernating, that is perfectly reasonable as well. Perhaps you can test the waters this week to see if the spring thaw may indicate a coming period of renewed passion.
Peace,
Paul
P.S. As I review the accomplishments in that list up there, I want you to know that in addition to being really excited and also kinda proud, I’m also incredibly GRATEFUL because I know I couldn’t have done this without you, you, YOU. At various moments over the last 1,039 weeks you’ve been a soundboard, cheerleader, benefactor, agent, client, muse….and perhaps most precious of all, you’ve been my friend. Thanks for all of it.
The most powerful, efficient energy source in the world is your own mind. Explore and discover that it can make creative fuel from anything. —Bruce Garrabrandt [Enjoy Ripples #1139: *|URL|* ]
The most powerful, efficient energy source in the world is your own mind. Explore and discover that it can make creative fuel from anything. —Bruce Garrabrandt [Enjoy Ripples #1139: https://mailchi.mp/unleashripples/r1139]
While reasonable people debate whether creativity and growth prospers because of difficulty or despite it; I find it more useful to ponder how it might be a little of both.
I’ve connected with more than a few passionate creators who privately confess to being embarrassed or even ashamed about some of the good stuff that has come out of this period of hardship.
