Hug the Swarm of Bees

Not real ones, of course.

Why does it seem as though, when we fail, that many, many, many more things in life break? Things seemingly unrelated to the area of failure, dismay, or broken dreams and expectations.

Part of the reason is our downcast point of view. Our low attitude focuses on the broken things for a season. Senses are heightened for pain. Our emotion spills over onto others and projects and daily events, and that negative emotion poisons the well, so to speak. Almost as though our lives are whole paintings, not simply set apart units.

What if instead we pause after swatting the bee, take a deep breath, then embrace the swarm?

I'm not saying that we can or should ignore the hurt from failures and missed dreams and expectations, no, I'm saying that in spite of those, without clarity or a new game plan, attempt to embrace the bees, the storm, the next dose of brokenness before the upswing.

Hugging the bees provides a new perspective. Painful, but fresh.

Political Context

How much do the politics of the day impact your creative headspace? For most of us our creative pursuits are not immediately intertwined with political agendas, legislation and endlessly breaking headlines. But they leach in, don't they? And let's be honest, many politicians and all media have one thing in common, they want your attention and will go to great lengths to grab it.

This is why creating headspace habits is so vital. Getting our mind, heart and soul in a position to create with clarity and focus, free from political noise, even important noise, long enough to create what we're designed to create is key to moving forward toward our end goal, deadline and ultimate pursuit.

Famous authors, artists and songwriters create headspace by walking in parks, through busy streets, sitting on the beach, exercise, reading Scripture, reading their favorite authors, meditation, prayer, eating huge meals with friends etc. Personally, I make coffee, read and journal. And when I'm particularly distracted a short walk gets my blood flowing as I let the topic of the day seep into my bones in the fresh air.

So, how do you warm-up before creating? How do you make space in your mind and gut from the politicking for that creative flow?

This may be the difference between a stalled and frustrated creative lifestyle and a fruitful one.

Structure OR Strain

Is it a painting from that trip to the beach? How about a stone from that hike with the kids? Maybe it's wearing that pair of shoes that seems to literally carry you boldly one step at a time?

What structures (symbols) in your life remind you to keep moving toward the goal? To keep becoming the person you want to be? To live your God-breathed purpose in your current context?

I don't know about you, but when I wing-it day after day, I find myself looking back and straining to see what good came of those days and hours. On the other hand, when I have a vision, schedule, goals and structures in place that encourage and challenge and remind me to press onward... sure time still moves fast, yeah, but it's full. It's built upon. I'm lifted up and motivated. It's refreshing in that deep Holy Spirit is at work in my gut sort of way when I'm face down in a ditch.

Maybe it's 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 on your dashboard. Or that gift trinket gift from your kid. What's you're structure? OR are you busy straining to see what just happened?