Sources

In This Bloutcher
Where Art, Life Change and Leadership Intersect

• Sources
• Announcements

1. Karen's new book
2. Matt White's Film release
3. The Coach's Studio Round 2

Sources

It's not unusual for someone to ask me: Where do you find the sources for your ideas and inspiration?

While this is an interesting question I think the more interesting question is: How do you have the sources of ideas and inspiration find you?

Ideas and inspiration are all around. The challenge is not one of availability but accessibility. We have an opportunity to learn how to access what is already there. Not to place false barriers between our creative core and the sources that stimulate it. We each have the ability to create the conditions where ideas and inspiration find us because we are open to them finding us.

I've certainly been stuck technically. I've had my share of self doubting angst. Still do. I've sagged motivationally. But none of this had to do with lack of ideas to pursue or inspiration to tap into. None of these have stopped me from plowing ahead, perhaps insensitive to the dissenting voices in my head or the inner doubting Thomas scratching at my impulse to step into what I do not know.

So here are some ways I open myself to having sources of ideas and inspiration access me.

Honor the quotidian. A beam of light falling on a bread crumb. The postman's shoes. Sardines. The pattern of water as you wash the dishes. Venerate the mundane in your life. Very rich!

Cultivate mindfulness. Sit quietly. Do nothing. Tune into your breathing. Really tune in. Breathe deeply. Several times. Let your belly out as you breathe in. Listen. Feel. The rhythm. And ask your breath what it is grateful for.

Play with metaphors. They are windows to our world. They are a good salsa to the senses. Everything is a metaphor. A pen. A computer. A garden in winter. Old photos. They are all around us. They are what they are. And they are metaphors of _____? Pick three and play. Any three.

Take a sketchbook/journal wherever you go. Since I carry it I feel an obligation to fill lit.

And if these do not work I do a rapid fire series of self portrait sketches. Really rapid. One after the other. With a pen so I won't be tempted to erase. Some with my eyes closed. Loose. Without thinking. Not trying to get it right but to get it down. Then I look at them and ask "Who is this person? Who am I?" That certainly opens things up. You don't even have to ever have taken a drawing class. In fact, that's even better. Go ahead try it.

And then take a step. In the direction of your dreams.

Announcements:

Karen's New Book

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Clicking by Karen Mandell (yes, my wife of 42 years!)

Love's an iffy prospect, defying proverbs, wishes and expectations. The most wonderful people don't always find the love they deserve. In this collection of stories, the characters defy such fate by meeting the people with whom they just "click."

You will love the quirky characters and the vivid style of the story telling! These are really pre-love stories.

To order the book click here.

To order the Kindle version click here

The Coach's Studio, Round 2

I am happy to let you know that round 1 of The Coach's Studio filled up quickly and we had to close registration at 24. In response to this strong interest we have decided to launch round 2 on April 18th. If you would like to learn more or enroll in the program please click here.

If you have questions please let me know directly.

Matt White's New Documentary Film

Fort Drum: The First 100 Years is the fourth film released by award winning document film maker Matt White (yes, my son-in-law.) I had the opportunity to view the release showing last week and it really was quite stirring, filled with all kinds of human interest stories and surprising historical information. The film tells the story of how a dusty cavalry camp inthe early 1900s evolved into a modern marvel of military training. Over the course of the century soldiers and statesmen associated with the base--from Ulysses S. Grant's son, to Teddy Roosevelt, to Dwight D. Eisenhower--have shaped the history of America and the world.

To learn more about the film and/or order a DVD, click here.