when you just can't write and you shouldn't even try

 

Let’s face it. Old Man Life sometimes insists we take a break whether we want to or not...a break from work, or from serving as a caretaker, or from parenting. 

It might be an unexpected illness or injury that stops us in our tracks.

Anterior shoulder dislocation (image: compliments of my son)

A flood or a tornado might sweep through. Worse yet would be the death of a friend or family member. You can’t work and you shouldn’t even try.

Likewise, you may sometimes be forced against your will to set aside your creative efforts, whatever it is you’re writing, drawing, composing, or performing, your efforts to create something new and beautiful, or meaningful, or entertaining. You may be sabotaged even when you’re speeding along page after page, stroke after stroke, verse after verse. Just when the finished product is within reach, you may have to take a break and tend to the Old Man. Maybe you come down with the flu, or a neighbor needs your help, or your new puppy slips out the door and disappears down the street. It may be time to give your muse some time off. Tell her you need to take a break. Promise her you'll be back. She’ll thank you with new insight, inspiration, and passion as soon as you're ready.

Maybe you’re looking forward to planning a move, or you’re preparing for a wedding or a birth in the family, or you have an exciting vacation coming up. There’s a lot to do, not a moment to think about the masterpiece moldering on your desk or which chord sounds better. You may want to invite your muse to take the day off. Then, when you're ready to get back to work you can sit down together and share your memories of the event. 

"Muse:

that mischievous little sprite

that whispers inspiration in your ear

when you least expect it."

~Dale Kinkaid~

There are times you can’t work, and you shouldn’t even try…not because you’re blocked, or lazy, or distracted, but because Old Man Life has other plans for you…plans for you to gain experience, to grow in understanding, and to tackle your feelings about it. All of which will appear sometime later on, in a melody, or on the page, or on your canvas...when you least expect it.

"Taking time to live life

will only inspire your work."

~www.artofyou.com~

It isn’t always how much we accomplish, but who we become that elevates our work. A walk in the woods elevated my work last week:

This week, I hope Old Man Life is good to you and that you and your muse have a blast together!

jan