So, what do you have to show for yourself? (and should you care?)
Posted by funky uncle mustard on 14 Oct 2008 at 10:47 pm | Tagged as: Creativity, Goals, MustardMusings, Pursuing Dreams, slowing down, time
I just passed my 40th birthday. There are many things I would like to have accomplished by now. But with my aging, maybe I’m also gaining some better perspective as to what’s important.
One thing I had hoped to finish by now was an album/CD for which I had developed a concept well over a year ago (maybe even two?). How much progress have I made on that? Well, I have all the lyrics and a general idea for the whole album, but only recently have been able to get started doing some recording of the scratch tracks.
What I’m learning is that completing the goal may not be as important as working towards the goal. That is, the value is in “the going” and not in “the arriving.” And, as I go, some of the things that capture my time and attention – sometimes seemingly unrelated to my goals – may actually be more important to the bigger picture and even to my goals.
There’s a proverb that says, In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
How we get where we’re going is often much different than we thought, isn’t it?
I used to feel I needed to “pump out a ton of stuff.” Create a lot. Be prolific. Quickly! (Because that’s what leads to “success.”)
Now I’m feeling a little differently. What if that one CD is my “life work?” What if one song is all I have? What if your one book is it? One poem? One sculpture? One photograph? (I’m guessing there’s a whole lot more to our “life work” than what we create. . .)
I’m finding we need to enjoy each step. We need to pour ourselves into each moment, never blowing it off as simply something we must endure to arrive at a distant goal. This allows you and I to take the time to make each step deliberate, worthwhile, and gives us the mindset we need to actually enjoy the “now.”
Fully present. Fully engaged. Every moment.
What’s going on around you – right now – that you can’t see because you’re looking so far ahead?
–
PS I see that this is a bit like my last post. . .I guess you know where my head is at, eh?
PPS As I wrote this, I was (literally) also working on a song for my daughter – not a part of the album I mentioned above, but probably more important. Exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about here. (More on the song later. . .)
You’re right, enjoying the creative process is actually what it’s about. Thanks for the reminder, just as I settle down to write the last third of my book.
I will certainly read any book by an author who says to me, “you’re right!”
Thanks for visiting, Charlotte – I know how busy you are.
Please let the world know when it’s ready. I’ll be watching your site.
[...] is the best thing for me. As my friend JP said in one of his posts this week, it’s not about the outcome but about the journey. I also like who I am when [...]
Dear JP! I likes what you says. Maybe because I recognise the similar experience I have in my garden. It is the doing not the achieving that is relevant. If my garden were finished and perfect now, what would I DO with my time? But that doesn’t mean I don’t keep having to tell myself that I just must cool down, stop mumping and moaning that it is not the perfection I want,and enjoy the process. But, why is this not obvious to us??? ps. A Belated VERY Happy Birthday too you, Glad to see you are doing your homework (gold star!) and sharing it here with us.
Good stuff JP. I appreciate the reflection. Maybe I like it because I too have an album over a year in the making. Dar.
I’m especially fond of your line:
“completing the goal may not be as important as working towards the goal”
I hear 40 is the new 16. Happy b-day.
-paul