Day 12-Life Change Artist

 

The seventh and final skill of a Life Change Artist is Discipline. This perhaps is the hardest skill for some be cause it requires a consistency of action regardless of how motivated we might feel. 

For me discipline can be very difficult to begin, but oftentimes when I finally take that first step to begin I find my discipline to be easier than I anticipated. For some developing habits helps to maintain discipline. Finding a way of holding ourselves accountable is another way to enhance discipline.

Looking for ways to build enjoyable habits can make discipline not so daunting. In fact including self-renewing habits into our day will help to keep us motivated. Sometimes I forget about all the things I do that are positive, and spend too much time ruminating on where I have fallen short.

“Without ongoing self-renewal, we may run out of the personal energy that sustains our willpower.”

We are going to need that discipline to conquer our creative dilemmas. That first step of exploration is going to require effort on our part, and that effort requires the use of discipline. “Discipline is the skill of putting forth effort even when we don’t feel like it.”

Life Change Artist- Day 11

 

The sixth skill of a Life Change Artist is Collaboration. This is the one skill that demands cooperation with others. It is here where we look for others living the life that we aspire to as possible role models. 

On our own we may not be able to fully achieve what we are wanting to change. We can use others ideas as springboards for our creative endeavors. 

We may find these relationships at work, through collaborative communities, or even through mentors and life coaches. Each of these are ways to stay accountable to what we desire. 

These are all ways to get the emotional support that hard decisions might require. “Collaboration gives us access to a broader network of people who can link us to new ideas and opportunities. 

And isn’t that really what it’s all about as we deliberately choose to bring change to our life. 

Life Change Artist-Day 10

 

The fifth skill of a Life Change Artist is Risk Taking. Whether we realize it or not we are always faced with taking risks in our lives. Some risks, like driving, for most of us have become a normal way of life. We really don’t give too much thought to them until we are faced with an anxious circumstance that might affect our comfort with being on the road. 

If we fail to address our creative dilemma than the risk we face is that of doing nothing, and “staying on the same path.” Although, at times this staying put seems safer, many times it really isn’t. Especially if we are not in a good place to begin with. 

“Risk taking means acting without certainty of outcome.” This clearly ties into the last skill of uncertainty. Remember the key was to embrace uncertainty. This is the same for risk taking. Embracing things like moving in a new direction, being confident even if others do not agree, and looking toward our mistakes as opportunities to grow and learn all work together in becoming better risk takers. 

The following categories of risk will confront the Life Change Artist:

Financial

Competence

Social

Identity

Relational 

For many of us the societal risk of worrying about what others think will really hold us back from even attempting a change. Of course, finances and relationships play a pivotal role in what we might consider changing.  The questions we may pose may also hold us back from even attempting. 

The important question to ask when considering not taking action is, “Is it worth it?” If you are completely honest with yourself, even making small changes toward the person you truly are will enhance the quality of your life. I believe that we do not have to totally upend our existing life to make ours better. Just being more in tune to what feeds your soul will make for a better life. 

For me digging deeper into my dependence on other people’s opinions has helped me to take risks in being more honest, true and vulnerable. “How important is it for us to meet others’ expectations of us vs listening to our inner voice singing?”

One activity to consider is to intentionally set a two-week plan of small risks. Choose things that are not life altering. Make a list, and reflect on the outcome of each, and what you learned about yourself from each. I found for myself even coming up with a list was challenging. The more you practice the more comfortable you can be with risk. 

Know in your heart that these moments of feeling uncomfortable in the long run will pay off. 

Life Change Artist- Day 9

The fourth skill of a Life Change Artist is Embracing Uncertainty. Given a choice most of us feel more comfortable with the known. However, the reality is that life rarely cooperates with this premise. 

“Like it or not, life is uncertain.”  In life we must learn to navigate these uncertainties. In fact, if we can learn to embrace uncertainty all the better. We need to become aware of the possibilities presented through change. 

Believe it or not uncertainly and change can be the perfect conduit for creativity. We need to refrain from searching for quick fixes, and allow enough time for opportunities to arise. We may not have all the information, but we shouldn’t allow that to hold us back. We need to be able to change directions midstream if needed. 

Stop trying to avoid uncertainty, and begin navigating through change. This all begins with your attitude. “…become a self-directed ‘seeker’ and find a new direction.”

Life Change Artist- Day 8

 The third skill  of a Life Change Artist is Using Context. Context includes all the things that surround our daily life. Things like social, cultural, political, and economic influences. 

Many times we are unaware of how much they impact our life and choices. We blindly go through our day not really considering how much they determine how we live our life. 

When we become aware of context we can begin to question whether our core values truly align with what we have been told by the world. Those trends that we embrace might not actually be what we really want. 

Sadly our identity might be determined more by the context we find ourselves in than what is really in our heart. 

“We live in a context that carries its own values and beliefs. We in turn adopt those very values and beliefs as our own.”

This becomes problematic when we fail to see that we are free to choose our own beliefs, and don’t have to accept what our context dictates. Examining our context can help us to gain new perspectives. 

This is possible when we “…are willing to experiment outside our contextual comfort zone.”

Don’t be afraid to examine the context of your life. 

Life Change Artist- Day 7

 The second skill of a Life Change Artist is Seeing. The way we view the world is pivotal to our creative success. “When we change the way we see, everything changes.”

Basically seeing entails learning how to discern the world in such a way that our perspectives offer fresh new possibilities. We begin to look with fresh eyes, and see things that others do not. 

We learn not to assume too quickly, and begin to look for multiple interpretations. We notice what is incomplete in a situation, and make connections resulting in a more creative life. 

“What we pay attention to shapes our destiny by defining our choices and the way we frame them.” 

The first step of seeing is looking at the world in a different way, and it can inevitably lead to creating the life you’ve longed for. 

The following strategies will help you to see the world, and your place in it differently:

Sometimes it’s necessary to step back to get a fresh perspective on a situation. One simple way to do this is to actually get out and about in the world. Take the time to engage with the outside world away from the confines of your home. Life becomes more interesting when you allow yourself a variety of experiences.

A second strategy is paying attention to negative space. Negative space in the art world is the “space that surrounds the primary subject.”  In other words, start paying attention to the things in your life that are not the main things. Open your eyes to even the simplest of things, and view them with a new perspective. You might be surprised what you find. 

The third strategy is turning the subject upside down. Because we naturally see things in the same way our perspective is limited. If we can allow ourselves to see things in a different way we might be surprised at the possibilities that abound. One way to do this is to create “a spirit of play and spontaneity. Remember back to the days of childhood, and what held your attention. How can you bring that childhood wonder back into your life?

Life Change Artist-Day 6

 

The first of the 7 Critical Skills for a Life Change Artist is Preparation. This means, “ deliberately engaging in activities that help us break from our usual patterns of thought and feeling, and prepare us for creative insight.”

The key word in preparation is engage. We don’t have to look at this time as a way to find an instant solution to our creative dilemma. Rather it is a time to engage in creative triggering activities, as well as mind/body exercises. 

The primary purpose here is to depart from the familiar, and embark on experiences that veer from your normal day to day life. 

Remarkably these activities have been shown to change the brain. We can do this by changing our mind. Even in our golden years we still have the ability to make new brain cells. This is called neuroplasticity where we actually make new pathways in our brain. These new pathways can enhance our creative ability. 

Interestingly, it is the tension of the creative dilemma that is the catalyst for a change in course. Without it there would be no need to veer in a different direction. 

We all know that change can be difficult, and we can find ourselves reluctant to do so as we find safety in our current circumstances.  It is the deliberate act of preparation that can make all the difference. 

If you find yourself wavering, ask the question, “…how can I afford to continue to live the same way over and over again?” It is important to engage in these activities regularly to help create these new pathways. Commit to doing one new thing over a period of weeks. 

Listed below are areas of preparation along with examples to consider:

Spiritual-morning devotional

Musical-listening to 70’s music in the car

Cultural- visit an art exhibit

Water-Related- bath

Repetitive Movement-crotchet

Athletic-walking 

Nature-gardening or hiking

Housework-sweeping

Animal/pet-petting your cat

Altruistic-helping at a soup kitchen

For me I’ve stopped listening to the news on the way home from watching my grandsons. Instead, I’ve listened to 70’s music which has opened the floodgates of memories. Taking a break from the cares of the world has been energizing.

Life Change Artist- Day 5

 The final step after exploring and discovery is integration. The purpose of integration is to fulfill. 

“The integration dimension always moves us closer to personal wholeness, bringing us more in alignment with our values.”

 As we begin to explore all things new, and reflect on the discoveries we make we are now ready to integrate these ideas into our already existing life. 

Integration is not “an ending point,” as we will continue to explore, discover and integrate throughout our life in response to new creative dilemmas. 

This results in each one of us, “becoming more of who we were meant to be.”

Through integration we develop a greater sense of self-awareness. 

“The integration dimension is critical to the creative process because it builds our confidence to move through change in the future.”

Remaining open to possibilities is the key to navigating creative dilemmas.

Life Change Artist- Day 4

 

After exploration comes Discovery. The purpose of discovery is reflection and evaluation which happens through exploration. They both work together in tandem. “They are highly intertwined, working interdependently and synergistically.” 

You can’t have one without the other. As we explore new experiences we discover more about ourselves. These discoveries can spur more exploration as we continue on our journey. 

“In some sense we are always in transition, and therefore always exploring and discovering.”

  

  Questions to ask during this phase are more specific. How might this affect me financially? What is actually holding me back? How will this change affect my identity? Will I need a new set of skills? Where can I find  like-minded people to support this change? 

Take the time to reflect on your explorations, and discover something new about yourself. 

Life Change Artist-Day 3

 The first step to addressing a creative dilemma is Exploration.

The purpose of exploration is to learn. Begin by paying attention to what naturally claims your attention. 

Exploration is accomplished by doing. It is action-oriented. Some ideas for exploration include “Read a book, take a course or workshop on a subject about which you have little understanding, but about which you may be curious.”

In order to do this we must get out of our everyday routine. “We need to commit to spending a significant portion of our time differently from how we have in the past.”

 As you explore consider your gifts, talents and passions. Make a concerted effort to take the steps necessary to include exploration in your day. This should be a time of adventure and enjoyment. Just try out a lot of things.”

Life Change Artist-Day 2

 The journey begins with a creative dilemma. The purpose of this dilemma is to disrupt. It gives you the opportunity to act or not act on some tension in your life. It revolves around the known and an unknown. 

“The question is- Do I embark on a journey of self-discovery or hold on to what is comfortable?”

This tension can involve many different aspects of your life:

Career and Work- often this tension is made apparent when our work is no longer satisfying.

A Cause or Calling- not everyone can identify this, but often after engaging in the next steps of exploring and discovery a calling rises to the surface. 

Relationships-this can involve all the different relationships in our lives. It’s not just an opportunity to dissolve a relationship, but a chance to strengthen a relationship. 

Place- since all aspects are affected by where we live this is an opportunity to reevaluate your existing community.

Spiritual Beliefs and Practices- tension can arise if our spiritual needs are not being met. 

Health and Well-being-  it is too easy to drift into bad habits, but the state of your health will affect all areas of your life. 

Lifestyle- do we continue to live the same kind of life or is it time for a change?

Learning and Creativity- whether we feel energized or stagnant may be determined by the level of new learning or creativity we include in our life. 

Mortality- when we stop to consider that our days may be numbered we may feel a greater sense of urgency to make a change. 

As Mandela and Jordan remind us, “Our creative dilemmas come in many forms. Whether and how we confront them shapes the trajectory  of our lives.”

 If we ignore these underlying dilemmas, and refuse to acknowledge them they may present in unhealthy ways both mentally and physically. 

Becoming a Life Change Artist-Day 1

 Becoming a Life Change Artist-7 Creative Skills to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life written by Fred Mandela Ph.D. & Kathleen Jordan Ph.D is a how-to guide to living a truer, richer more creative life. 

Not only does it include the stories of people who have done just that, but it gives practical tips for doing so. What makes this book unique is that it includes the lives of famous artists who have applied these skills to their life and art. 

So if you are a lover of art, you will enjoy learning more about their lives, and how adversity was overcome using creativity as a starting point. 

I am beginning a series about the skills included in the book as a starting point for your own life-change. Although this book can apply to anyone, it primarily addresses the 3rd age of our life, and inspires us to live more fully. 

“This book invites us to rekindle the fire and to become ‘enthusiastic’

explorers…not searching for the meaning of life,” rather “…searching for the experience of being alive.”

This journey begins with a Creative Dilemma which is resolved through Exploring, Discovering and integrating. The 7 Creative Skills are Preparation, Seeing, Using Context, Embracing Uncertainty, Risk Taking, Discipline and Collaboration.

Destin

Chuck and I had a little get away to Destin a few days ago. My sister Jean  and our brother-in-law Dan invited us to spend a few days at their beach condo. We were also joined by our nephew Jacob.