Awakening Creativity - Part 3

Welcome to part three of a 10 part series exploring the ways in which we can awaken our inherent creative force and free those stuck places that block our efforts.



Show Up

Most writers are familiar with the phrase “butt in seat.” This isn’t a punishment given for going to look out the window or for going to the store or out with friends. It is not a “get your butt back here and sit down and do not leave until I say so.” Ew – even writing that last little bit made me all tense and resistant. Contrary to the negative energy of that last statement, the phrase “butt in seat” is actually a positive reminder…for anyone in any field.

When I was active in the theatre, the last word I would tell myself before walking on stage to perform, was “breathe.” I would be back stage waiting for my cue, shaking, nervous, not even sure if I could remember the words but as soon as I said “breathe” all was well. This was a short-form reminder for me to let go, relax, be in the moment, enjoy, let it flow, etc. It came from years of practicing yoga and learning what “on the breath” meant. Simply saying “breathe” would put me in that relaxed, flowing state and I could hit the stage in full character, relaxed and happy to be there (no matter the part I played). The only time I ever forgot a word and broke character was the one time I forgot to breathe (and, oh yes, I remember that moment…).

“Butt in seat” is a quick three word reminder for what is needed if a writer or anyone else is to succeed in anything we wish to do in life and excel in. In essence it means that in order to get the book written, our butts have to be in our seats writing – at least at some point. No matter how many wonderful ideas and dreams we have, the book will not write itself and send itself to the agents/publishers. If you are not a writer, you can adjust it to your meaning but the essence is still the same.

For quite awhile now, my first CD has been almost complete. Every time I go into the studio, I’m sure I’m going to walk out with a finished CD ready to be replicated and released to the world (to great acclaim, of course ;) ). Each time I have walked out of the studio with another copy of the CD but not the finished copy, my heart aches just that much more and I feel discouraged. To me, there is absolutely no reason it should not be completed by this point and I’ve been working on it for just over a year now. Granted, I have discovered that it is not that uncommon for a CD to take up to a year to produce and finalize (makes me understand and accept even more the pricing of the CDs and not appreciate even more those who would pirate the music) but still there is a feeling that this CD is being dragged out longer than it should for whatever reason.

This last time when I walked out with a still unfinished CD, I wanted to quit. When I got home, I set aside the CD and simply refused to think about it for awhile. Then, just yesterday, I slipped into a reverie and found myself daydreaming of being interviewed (c’mon, don’t tell me you haven’t done this…. ;) and if not, why not? :o) ) and we were talking about my first CD and how it came to be and what I learned from the process and then we moved on to talking about my other CDs and a couple of my books. When I came out of that daydream, I distinctly heard, from the back of my mind, the phrase “butt in seat.” I smiled realizing that at least somewhere I still believed in this CD and in future ones as well as believing in what I write. Yes, the CD is taking a long time - too long - and sometimes I really want to give up. Yes, the empty pages taunting me from an uncompleted book annoy the heck out of me when I can’t find the next few words to get me going again. But this I know…if I do not show up and put my butt in the seat and write or play or record or edit, NOTHING will happen - EVER.

So, everyday, I sit down and stare at my computer screen and some days I write only a word or two and other days words flow all day long. I continue going to the studio knowing that at some point the CD will be complete. I set aside the voices of discouragement, fear and exhaustion. I research outlets for both my books and my CDs. I listen and read, revise and edit, find inspiration and sit with it, dream and work, express gratitude - everyday.

Show up. Breathe. Butt in seat. There you go. :)