Paradoxical
I knew the wild, remote beauty of Minuteman Beach, but just the same, I had forgotten it.
Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, February 2024
“Creativity is paradoxical. To create, a person must have knowledge but forget the knowledge, must see unexpected connections in things but not have a mental disorder, must work hard but spend time doing nothing as information incubates, must create many ideas yet most of them are useless, must look at the same thing as everyone else, yet see something different, must desire success but embrace failure, must be persistent but not stubborn, and must listen to experts but know how to disregard them.”
— Michael Michalko
Maybe it’s because I’m in the middle of working on an especially difficult paper for school, but when I read this quote, I felt it captured a good bit about the challenge of any creative pursuit. I don’t know anyone who creates anything worthwhile out of occasional whims from some imaginary muse. It’s hard work, and there’s nothing glamorous about the process. And most of us who try to write, or paint, or make music, or engage in any sort of artistic process must go into it knowing that failure will be far more likely than success, at least in terms of monetary reward or widespread recognition.
For me, and I suspect for most others who try to create anything, the work is its own reward. That’s not to say that sometimes we won’t have to force ourselves to do it, whether we’re in the mood for it or not. But as Michalko says, I know so much that I have forgotten. I find connections between seemingly unrelated things, but have never (as of yet) been diagnosed with any sort of psychosis or mental lapse. I have more ideas than I know what to do with, and I’ve never found anyone who sees the world exactly as I do. And of course, I often fail, and though I respect “expert” information, I don’t feel bound by it.
What else is there for me to do, but keep writing?
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Defeat Despair 
Good morning, Julia!
Yes! Keep writing.
That is an enticing beach. What a delight it must have been, to see it and hear the sounds of it. I’m curious what brought you there last year?
I also hit a bump in a creative pursuit last night. The compound miter saw got out of alignment and I’ll have to figure out how to fix it. I’m attempting a floating shelves concept that can use some wasted space and provide a decorative storage solution… if everything goes as I dream!
Susan, I was visiting friends from our northern California years, who now happen to live on the central coast, not far from where we lived at Vandenberg while Jeff was in the Space Command for 3.5 years in the early 1990’s. It was a paradise for a young family with two boys. Nature everywhere, and a great group of friends from church with whom we spent at least 3 days per week, since we all lived on base. Looking back, it feels like nonstop fun. Vandenberg has three beaches, all uncrowded and beautiful. Hope you got your saw fixed!
Julia i was amazed by how easy it turned out to be, to fix the compound miter saw. A bolt had come loose, which held the safety shield over the dangerous part of the saw, so the mechanism would bind up. By some miracle, the built had not come entirely out and been lost forever, so all I had to do was tighten it.
I’m quote pleased with how these “floating shelves” are coming along. I’ll have to send photos. 😁
Don’t you just love it when things turn out to be easier than first anticipated? 😀
Julia,
Great post! I like the quote. Very interesting list of ‘actions’ defining creativity. I think another trait or characteristic of creative people that must be present in order to DO the things listed is passion. Your observation that the created work is its own reward is precise. Passionate people will endure many things for the ‘prize’ after which they strive.
I know you’re passionate about your writing! So, yes, you must keep writing!✍️😊
Thank you, Chris. The encouragement is always appreciated!