Warning.....she's been thinking again. Read at your own risk.
Here we go again with me thinking out loud while packing for the next gig and still trying to work on the new quilt. Somewhere between the two, struck by a lighting bolt. How many of us are really connected to what we are doing? Are we really there body, mind and spirit while we are working? Or are we there part of the time and then disconnect somewhere during the process? You know just cranking it out for the sake of getting something done; instead of really being there in the moment.....fully engaged.
Are we really feeding our soul...speaking with an authentic voice? Maybe this doesn't even matter. If you are doing something that gives you pleasure, brings you fellowship with like minded people, what difference does it make.
Speaking for myself only, I can tell when I disconnect. When my thoughts wander away from what I am doing everything becomes mechanical....not necessairly bad but just rote. When the spirit is missing, the drawings, quilts, whatever, lose a sense of life. Oh, they may still be pretty or even appealing to lots of people but there is a quality missing....heart.
It is easy to disconnect in any situation. We all do it and sometimes it is necessary......like when you are in a conversation that is uncomfortable.....when your children are arguing with each other.....when you are tired and just need to recover.....but not when you are working. Whether teaching a class or making a quilt, we need to be completely engaged to give each situation it's full measure.
Life resolution for me...promise to myself...no more disconnecting. No more quilts just to have something for a show....no more just being in the room whatever I am doing. From now on always being aware and engaged.
Off soap box...don't you wish I would stop thinking? Good news leaving for Ann Arbor tomorrow so you are safe for a few days. Of course, there will be posts about the classes.....so you aren't completely rid of me.
Side bar: My Bundle from Sonji arrived and is absolutely too wonderful. Immediately went on my inspiration wall in the studio....but I fear I need more Sonji....have long list of Christmas gifts that need Bundles.....get busy...orders are coming.
Things are getting more and more eccentric at Casa de la Swain. Changing styles in my textile work, falling in love again with painting and photography...and then there is the ever illusive quest for continuing creativity through working with Eric Maisel. Still on the road teaching, posting now at the Ragged Cloth Cafe and taking the pledge to keep handmaiden up to date.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
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August
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- Loss of the Gulf Coast
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5 comments:
So Gabrielle, what is the difference between "disconnecting" and "getting in the zone"? In both instances one is not actively aware of the work going on...
Debra,
Have to disagree...being in the zone is being fully aware, al cylinders firing. Being in the zone is when you allow your preconceived ideas to go down the drain and not force the work.
Does that help?
Thanks for putting into words what I've been dealing with. I haven't made much of anything lately because of this disconnect idea. I just didn't know what to call it. I can only work when I have that "connect" thing going on. If it's not there, I just don't want to take part. Maybe that's why there's so many UFO's laying around??
Because I know whatever I create without that "connect", it just doesn't have the same feeling to me. Since I'm only doing this for me anyway at this time, why bother? Maybe I'll feel different when the kids are back to school. Having them home, sucks so much energy out of me.
Does any of this make sense?
I dunno Gabrielle, I think a part of the process is learning how to "summon" the energy to connect. But! a creative person has to learn the process of knowing when to summon and when to allow the "disconnect" to ride out...really nothing about right or wrong, more about how we mature in thinking intuitively. (???) Life is all process, eh?
I'm glad that you liked your bundle, Gabrielle.
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