Taking Back Your Crayons
September 3, 2006
8:03 a.m., MT

Of late here, I've been meandering around, occasionally even making progress on personal challenges that have also been well documented in this space. A fair amount of credit is due to others who've inspired, reminded, insighted me at just the right time. Today, Jomama gets a snakey squeeze for that, with his pointer to How to be Creative. There's lots I could copy here, and wax enthusiastic about, but I'm going to be the curmudgeon again and mash two of Hugh MacLeod's points together in a way I think he should have, for better effect (emphasis in original):

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with books on algebra etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the creative bug is just a wee voice telling you, "I'd like my crayons back, please." ....

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

People who are "ready" give off a different vibe than people who aren't. Animals can smell fear; maybe that's it.

The minute you become ready is the the minute you stop dreaming. Suddenly it's no longer about "becoming". Suddenly it's about "doing".

So, fuck that I'd like my crayons back, please bullshit. They're my crayons, you gave them to me, and I'm gonna get 'em back and scribble to my heart's content. And fuck you if you don't like it.

[Of course, I write this after years of dancing around, playing the May I, please? game. Better late than never. And also of course, the far better path would be to not let someone take your crayons away in the first place.]

Sunni

Comments: 3 people have contributed to the conversation

On Sunday, September 3rd, at approximately 9:40 a.m. Mountain time, Dennis Wilson said:

I LIKE your attitude, Sunni. And a big thanks to Jomama for the wonderful points on the creative process.

Dennis

On Sunday, September 3rd, at approximately 3:33 p.m. Mountain time, jomama said:

A snakey squeeze back atcha, Sunni.

Don't let the left and right sides of your brain fight each other.

Put 'em together.

On Monday, September 4th, at approximately 6:58 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Thanks, Dennis. And Jomama, I'm trying.

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