The Love of a Family Accordion

Many people feel they're just unlucky, with a dark cloud hanging over their head, or the majority of life is spent living in problems, being overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, left wondering why things never seem to work out. Happiness and contentment appear elusive.

I certainly know some folks get more than their share of misery, and it's hard to figure out why, because it seems so unfair. I admit when I was younger happiness eluded me, and I just couldn't figure out how to get it.

It was only when I accepted that I had to let go instead of holding on, attempting to force solutions, that ultimately I couldn't control or manage. I was out of control, and my life had become unmanageable. Fear and anxiety were often my default, and I let that dictate my behaviour and reactions.

I don't have any superstitious bones and don't believe so much in luck, but I do believe in the power of prayer. This certainly doesn't mean that I get what I want. More often I get what I need, and I'm not always happy about the outcome.

What has made all the difference, is acceptance, which has been the key to my happiness and contentment, regardless of my circumstance. Now mostly I control my fear and anxiety it doesn't control me, and I exercise courage.

Creativity and courage go hand in hand and is a way of life that I believe exists within the spiritual realm.

Within the last two weeks, I've had an unusual run of things happen that are all very positive and frankly if I was the superstitious kind, I might say this has been a streak of luck, or I might be holding my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.  But I think most has been a result of prayer, grace, and acts of love.

The most important lesson I've learned is to live a creative life by opening my mind and heart with a willing, open spirit of trust, not devoid of fear, but with courage. It's only then that I pay attention, I become grateful, happy and content.
 Living creatively is a way of life. I can never expect that material gain will lead me to this spiritual realm, no matter what we think or gain materially.

I've also learned the more I try to hold on and force an outcome, the less control I have. I want and need to be open to the creative process in every aspect of living life fully.Instead of focusing on the outcome, I focus on the creative process.

The last thing on my two week list, that happened was having wonderful visit with my cousins, both of whom I hadn't really seen in many years. One of my cousins gave me her father's, (my late uncle and my late father's only brother),  his beautiful button accordion. Accordions have a long tradition in our family, and I took lessons as a kid when the accordion wasn't cool.

I've wanted one of these button accordions for so many years, but never ever imagined I'd be so generously and lovingly given this treasured family heirloom. Out of all the blessings I've been granted this one is so very special to me and I'm deeply touched, and so very grateful for the love of my cousins and creative family.

How Curious Are You?

You know those days that we all have, when you don't know what to do with yourself and you start feeling like you should be doing something, maybe something you really don't feel like doing? You might wonder if you're just bored. Maybe you make some muffins, play with the cat or feel guilty about what you think you should be doing? Or... maybe you decide to take time to reflect about this kind of day, realizing that your not bored, sad or lonely, but what you are experiencing is solitude, which in our distracted world, seems to be a lost art.

On this rainy, overcast Spring day I had an appointment that got postponed until tomorrow. The meeting was to discuss the above workshop I've posted that I'm really excited about attending next Saturday. The listed agenda sounds like a full day of curiosity, creativity and discovery.

And so because my meeting was cancelled today, this afternoon I'm taking time with, and for myself. I'm enthusiastic and excited to reflect and find out about the connection between curiosity and creativity. I'm taking advantage of my solitude to think deeply and discovery some new ideas, to learn more about myself and to connect with others.

Living in a society that encourages social behaviour, busyness and productivity, many of us become human doings, instead of human beings. But work and constantly doing, does not define us and can inhibit our creativity. I believe we need to know how to be, before we can do.


Taking time alone for solitude, for ourselves, is often ignored by society. It's often seen as anti-social and  must mean you're sad and lonely. In fact there are many benefits to solitude, like improving your concentration and your brain power. It provides and enables an opportunity for self-discovery and helps you to work through and resolve your problems. It also improves relationships with others.



Elizabeth Gilbert defines creativity as being curiosity and it's more important than following your passion. I completely agree with her conclusion, especially when I think about how children have a natural and innately, built-in curiosity instinct. Children thrive when they are fully engaged in this curiosity and are always making discoveries. As adults we need to learn to be the same, be vigilant, fearless, and enthusiastic about our curiosity.

Children possess an absence of fear of what they don't know. Unfortunately the older we get, this enthusiasm that ignites the senses is diminished, for a myriad of reasons. We observe less, explore less, ask fewer questions and are fearful of venturing into the unknown.

Curiosity helps us to make the connections that lead to discovery. We will become more observant. Exploration, asking questions and venturing into the unknown become a way of living a creative life.

What Elizabeth Gilbert Learned From Tom Waits

I started this blog seven years ago, as a exploration of what it means to live life creatively. I've learned about, and from so many creative people along the way, and continue to do so.

This journey truly began in 1994, when I was first introduced to a book and recommended by art therapist friend. It was then I read, The Artist's Way a Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron,  which was powerful and life changing for me. I know I always rave about this book, for good reason.  Julia Cameron's ten spiritual principles, and exercises, especially the practice of morning pages, helped me immeasurably. I learned the importance of daily writing. It was the way to channel and create my own creativity. Daily journaling has enabled me to achieve important goals and fulfill some life long dreams.

So many wonderful books about creativity, and not enough time, and am always excited to learn of new good reads by creative people, especially about creative process in all forms.

I have never read the Eat, Pray Love I didn't even see the movie, nor do I recall hearing anything about of Elizabeth Gilbert, though I had heard the title, as a good friend recommended it to me some time ago, but I never got around to reading it. Some times I feel I live in cave. Progress not perfection is the order of my days.

So I consulted the Google god! I found this great TED talk with Elizabeth Gilbert. When she mentioned the Greeks and Romans, along with Tom Waits, she got my attention!

Now I have to read Eat, Pray, Love, and can hardly wait for Big Magic! I'll  skip the movie, because the book is always better than the movie right?