Create

Today, I share a page of my journal and remind you to CREATE in every
way. Every day. Draw. Write. Brainstorm. Play. Solve a problem. Help
someone. Build something. Act. Make music. ANYTHING! Just create!

Let's Get Physical

I am slipping into my alter-ego tonight and performing a PechaKuchu. Typically, I improvise, but, in this case, the "rules" of the PechaKuchu (pronounced Paw-chaw-kaw-chaw) require 20 images/20 seconds per image.

I'd known about this since JULY and had been kicking around ideas but, finally, it was time to get my ACT together and PRODUCE -build my speech and slide show- I had to get PHYSICAL.

I think a lot of people forget that the act of CREATING is often a PHYSICAL endeavor. Yes, I sat at the computer and started building the slide presentation. (Tip: always save often when you are building ANY type of presentation!!)

But, the CREATION of the slides, came to me FIRST while I was walking, driving, showering and working out at the gym!

I went about my day and did my stuff and ANY time my idea CRYSTALLIZED, I came back to the computer and dropped in a finished product. I went back and forth and probably threw OUT as many ideas/slides as I created but, I came up with a passable first version in this way.

I was happy with the results as I sat at my computer and rehearsed.

THEN, I went to the gym with an outline of my presentation in my Evernote (thank you, whoever invented this wonderful app.) and walked on the treadmill. Hard. I sweated it out and talked the presentation in my head.

This act of getting the presentation on its feet -literally- showed me the awkward spots. The slides I'd spent the most time on were the slides that were the ones that ruined the flow of the piece. So, I sweated and thought and worked.

Then, I came home and re-built the slide deck.

I'll walk it out again today, before I leave for the venue and make any necessary last minute tweaks. Then, it'll be showtime, I'll perform this piece and then drive home . . . thinking of all the ways I could do better next time.

Have you ever tried getting physical when you need ideas? What form of physical activity helps you think best??

The Co-workers of Tomorrow

These lyrics from a Sondheim song popped into my head when I read this article, Top 10 Skills Children Learn from the Arts
Careful the things you say / Children will listen
Careful the things you do / Children will see and learn.
I parent two children and the current school system feels extremely focused on testing/measurements and the arts feel like an afterthought. Luckily, my kids have a dedicated music teacher who shows up at zero hour and hosts a choir. I have experienced so many people in a working (and volunteer) environment that have learned none of the valuable skills the article speaks of: creativity, confidence, problem solving, perseverance, focus, non-verbal communication, receiving constructive feedback, collaboration, dedication and accountability. I want my children to be great friends, co-workers and citizens. So I will always strive to keep them involved in the arts by encouraging their creative endeavors and signing them up for classes that interested them.