I am not sure who said this quote first. “If you want to make God Laugh, then tell him your plans.” And I sure do have Him “bellyaching”.
And it was not my Intention to go over a month without posting. Things happened. Details will be spared.
Before I get into this post. I am going to share and two unexpected finds that I have had repeated listening of.
Humble the Poet on the James Altucher podcast. I had never heard of this guest so I went into without knowledge or expectation. His book “Unlearned” is refreshing voice to get into. For me it is similar in ways to the book “The Daily Stoic: 366 Daily Meditiations for Clarity, Effectiveness, and Serenity” by Ryan Holiday. (It is an almost daily read for me.)
WWE wrestler Becky Lynch on Brian Koppleman’s The Moment podcast. I am not a regular watcher of wrestling anymore. But the story told here of her journey is something that should be heard. And why you should be Authentic to Yourself.
I am starting looking at elements of my daily surroundings. And seeing if I can reduce them in some way to their basic elements. I kept breaking them down to water and oxygen.
I am going to start with water. Or being in the realm of my own Creative Flow State.
This quote from Bruce Lee is becoming an almost daily mantra for me.
“You must be shapeless, formless, like water.When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash.
Become like water my friend.”
The parts of the speech from the late David Foster Wallace used in the video This is Water.
Writer Neil Gaiman’s Commencement speech.
For me it is all about rediscovering that Flow of Energy that puts me closer into a Better State of Action to do My Creative Work.
Another Note. 2 Books I am Reading and Rereading for: My Own Process.
An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake by Srinivas Rao with Robin Dellabough
The other element is Oxygen. I have read this idea or decree from many sources. “If you don’t put on your own oxygen mask first, then you can’t help anyone else.”
Humble the Poet reminds us Putting Yourself First is Not Selfish
I have been looking at my existence in various of life’s situations. And I wonder if my presence there is giving me oxygen. In other words, are my creative efforts being seen. And what I can do. Is that able to give oxygen to others?
I ask myself, “Am I only showing up there, just to be seen? And not really heard.” Why waste the “oxygen”? It is not personal for me anymore but more of an act of energy conservation. Not to mention the cost of gas for my truck.
It is coming down to this for me now. I need to be Present First with Myself.
Am I going to have Oxygen there?
And does it Keep My Flow State in Motion?
Closing music that comes to mind as I close up this post. Usually I can only think of one song. But this is what came flowing out of my audio spicket.
Disconnect –The Rollins Band
Merchandise – Fugazi
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – Black Sabbath
Skin and Bruises 