I heard an interesting phrase in an interview by the author of the book, “Imagine- How Creativity Works”. He said, “You must make time to waste time”. He went on to explain that creativity can not be forced and often comes when we quit searching for it. Scientific studies actually show that creativity often happens when you aren’t doing anything.
I have been so frustrated with having my computer stolen. I feel stagnant. I feel like my whole life was attached to that computer. In some ways that is true, but in many it isn’t.
I have been trying to really look at this. There is an old Chinese story about a father and his son owned a farm. They did not have many animals, but they did own a horse. One day the horse ran away.
“How terrible, what bad luck,” said the neighbours.
“Good luck, bad luck, who knows?” replied the farmer.
Several weeks later the horse returned, bringing with him four wild mares.
“What marvellous luck,” said the neighbours.
“Good luck, bad luck, who knows?” replied the farmer.
The son began to learn to ride the wild horses, but one day he was thrown and broke
his leg.
“What bad luck,” said the neighbours.
“Good luck, bad luck, who knows?” replied the farmer.
The next week the army came to the village to take all the young men to war. The
farmer’s son was still disabled with his broken leg, so he was spared. “Good luck,
bad luck, who knows?”
I don’t think it was good luck I got my things stolen. But, I am trying to see the brighter side of things. I suddenly no longer have the distraction of my computer. I’m not working on organizing my life into yet another excel spreadsheet. I’m not searchign the web for future jobs. I’m not figuring out how to network and market myself. I’m forced to sit with myself and “waste time”.
At first I couldn’t create at all due to the anger. I took my son to the gallery and watched as he panted with complete abandon. I cleaned around him. He got my creative juices flowing again. I’m suddenly overflowing with ideas. I’m reclaiming oldpaintings and making them new….giving them a new beginning.
I will try to enjoy my wasted time and understand that it is indeed required for healing, growth, and creativity.
