Author: MAÔ

It’s a trite saying that “the only thing constant is change”. Apparently written by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, the book that contained this phrase was lost to history and exists only in fragments.

And each day brings us a reminder that, no matter how much stays similar, things are changing. The times, Dylan sang, they are a-changin’. And it’s something that each of us should learn to cope with.

It does us little good to cling hopelessly to how things were. The best course is forward, and we all have to figure it out along the way.

it’s common now for much of our lives to be spent in increasingly sedentary ways, with most of us spending a significant amount of time indoors. While this may be necessary for work or other commitments, it’s crucial to remember the importance of getting enough sunlight.

Sunlight is not only a natural source of light but also a vital component of our overall well-being. Have you ever noticed how a sunny day instantly lifts your spirits? Sunlight has a direct impact on our mood due to its ability to stimulate the production of serotonin, a hormone that regulates our mood and promotes feelings of happiness and well-being.

Regular exposure to sunlight can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. So if you’re feeling antsy, get out and take a walk.

There’s a lot to be said for keeping organized. A clean working environment makes getting to work a joy.

Also, it could be that a messy area fosters creativity, so maybe there’s something to be said for having a little creative clutter lying around as well.

Separate from the blog, I write every morning. I tend to use a Moleskine XL (7.5″ x 9.5″) hardcover ruled notebook, though sometimes I deviate. Currently I’m using a budget option, a 320-pager A4 softcover journal that has some heft to it. I have my issues with it, but overall, it serves its purpose.

Since beginning the process of writing these morning pages in November of 2015, I’ve likely filled about thirty notebooks. It should be more, but I’ve gone through bouts of time where I wasn’t doing the pages.

Last year as I was discussing this with someone, I told her that, while I had no intention of getting rid of them anytime soon, I’d likely do what Dickens did and burn them all. He notably burnt “the accumulated letters and papers of twenty years”.

To which, she replied that perhaps my desire to burn these these writings comes from the number of published journals I’ve read, or collected.

To wit, I’ve found myself interested in the private thoughts of creatives and writers. Susan Sontag, Leonard Cohen, Paul Klee, and Vincent Van Gogh, just to name a few.

In fact, it’s not surprising why there are so many published journals out there – when you consider that, before the computer, everyone creating had to store their thoughts somewhere. And journals serve as a repository for ideas and inspiration.

Creative individuals understand that inspiration can strike at any moment, and they use their journals to capture these fleeting thoughts. By jotting down their ideas, they can revisit them later and expand upon them, turning them into fully-formed concepts for their creative projects.

Not that the computer can’t be effective for that – or your phone, even. But with our devices, we do tend to get mired in the minutiae of everything it can do – and constant notifications pulling our attention away.

I’m reminded of a choreographer I was working with who told me he wrote his entire college dissertation in the notes app on his phone. But I digress…

Creatives often use journals as a form of self-expression and reflection. By putting their thoughts on paper, they can better understand their emotions, challenges, and triumphs. The writing provides a safe space where creatives can explore their innermost thoughts, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their creative process.

They also serve as a reservoir for capturing fleeting moments of inspiration. Understanding the importance of recording ideas as soon as they surface, being inspiration has a tendency to come at any time, often unexpectedly.

That isn’t to say that you can’t train your mind to work inspiration in at given times. I think I’ve mentioned previously the songwriter who would hear melodies while driving the car. This songwriter got to the point where the inspiration had to be controlled, telling it “come back later, when I’m sitting down and in a position to record this, otherwise you’re lost forever.”

And these are the little bits that someone may record in their journal. Something that, years later, perhaps you are I get to read – taking away a couple nuggets of wisdom, to use however we see fit.

Another aid in the quest for inspiration is to look inwards. When we carve out moments of quiet contemplation in our busy lives, while challenging, it can open us up to numerous possibilities.

Disconnect from the constant noise and distractions of the modern world. Whether it’s through meditation, journaling, or simply taking a walk alone, when you embrace the power of solitude, you can tap into the depths of your creativity.

One of the most powerful catalysts for inspiration is curiosity. Cultivating a sense of wonder about the world around you can lead to all sorts of discoveries.

Ask questions, explore new ideas, and challenge old assumptions. When you nurture your curiosity, you open yourself up to a vast array of possibilities and stimulate your mind to find inspiration in unexpected places.

I sometimes feel that this blog is too scattered. Sort of an incoherent catch-all for random thoughts, introspections, and curiosities. Actually, fairly apt, given the name Michael’s Musings.

It’s because I have a broad interest in a number of topics. At one point, I mused that each day would have something assigned to it. That fell by the wayside.

We can’t always control what we’re going to write about. Certainly you can direct your thoughts in this way or that, but it’s easy to get distracted, or feel less enthused about a topic than another on a particular day. And given that you should sit down and write each day, it seems less important to care about which topic you should be focusing on.

And more important to just be writing.

The sooner we start, the sooner we amass knowledge and grow both personally and professionally. Doing that typically requires us to fail.

Someone (likely) smart once said “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”

John C. Maxwell altered it a bit, quipping “It’s said that a wise person learns from his mistakes. A wiser one learns from others’ mistakes. But the wisest person of all learns from others’ successes.”

Okay. Yes. You can readily learn from others’ successes and mistakes. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to fall flat on your rear from time to time. And when you do, you have to get up. You have to start again. Being ready to fail again. And failing better.

It’s all about gaining valuable experience and learning from our mistakes. Whether it’s starting a new business, pursuing a passion project, or embarking on a personal journey, each step we take brings us closer to mastery.

We can gain insights, refine our skills, and adapt along the way.

I’ll admit. I am a bit of a procrastinator. I was speaking with a friend about work ethics, and the idea of procrastination stemming from perfectionism was an issue for someone. And that’s not me. I am nowhere near a perfectionist, partially in the belief that my work is good enough, and partially from the fact that, at some point, it just has to ship.

And yet, I procrastinate…

It’s a common barrier among creatives, hindering progress and growth. We tend to postpone tasks, waiting for the right time or seeking perfection.

Yesterday’s advice was just to start. By starting, we break the cycle of procrastination and establish momentum.

Taking action empowers us to overcome the fears that we may have – either of failure or of success. Fears of being rejected or being elevated. Getting past procrastination and establishing momentum – that’s how to get things done.

We often find ourselves contemplating new goals, dreams, and aspirations. And in the planning, it is all too easy to get caught up – analyzing, imagining, waiting for the perfect moment.

Thing is, the most important part of achieving success is to simply start.

Taking that first step towards our goals not only propels us forward but also sets us on a path of growth and accomplishment.