Pursue Creativity Right Where You Are

He leaned forward, elbows on the conference table, paying close attention to the series of interview questions coming his way, using this time of introduction to give a bit of background and history. I glanced behind him at the large, brightly inked whiteboard on the wall, and though we were just getting started, his next response gave me pause, provoking a line of thought far beyond the meeting at hand.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Yes, it was that dreaded tongue twister so common to interviews, the one that should be simple, but so often still throws people off (myself included), because – well, you know – describing yourself to a complete stranger in about three minutes or less isn’t really the easiest thing in the world.

But as I scribbled a few notes on the eclectic array of personal and professional details, his easy, unexpected answers caught me off guard.

I studied law for three years in Colombia, and then I went to Argentina to learn photography.

He said it as though it was the most natural career path in the world, never missing a beat, going on to tell of his journey to the United States, being introduced to a new line of business in banking, and coming full circle to talk about the current position for which he’d applied.

But my pen stopped, hovering over the thin, black and white interview guide for a moment, slowly processing all the information.

Law and photography?

It seemed such a dramatic shift.

I wanted to ask more questions. I wanted to figure out the correlation, and find out why the sudden change after such a long season of working toward a law career.

I wanted to ask, but I didn’t.

Because maybe the unusual transition wasn’t so odd after all, and deep down, I think I already knew, at least to some degree, how the lure of creativity calls to us, extending open arms and a welcome invitation, especially during intense periods of work and responsibility.

Though I don’t know the particulars of his situation, I can relate to burn out, the kind that often comes when my mind is overwhelmed, and the freedom of a well-rounded day feels elusive.

You too?

Ironically enough, less than 24 hours prior to our interview that Wednesday morning, I listened to Episode 51 of The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman, titled, Choose A Pastime.

In the podcast, Emily explores the impact and benefits of a pastime outside one’s normal line of work, and offers a bit of wisdom inspired from a recent trip to London, and the discovery of an engaging essay by Winston Churchill, found in the city’s oldest bookshop.

The title?

“Painting As A Pastime”.

I found it interesting that Churchill, a stalwart, wartime political figure who didn’t pick up a paintbrush until he was 40 years old, was a man who subscribed to creative activity that helped relieve the stress and demands of leadership, and had over 500 pictures to his credit. I was intrigued, and if you haven’t already, I hope you’ll listen to the podcast, but even more, consider the message it holds, especially if full days and packed schedules have you worn thin and taxed to the limit, despite best efforts otherwise.

In my own mind, I wonder if the former law student found himself up against a wall, or under such pressure that a break from the stifling weight of study was in order?

I don’t know for sure. But I do think it’s possible.

Because no matter our line of work, background, goals or dreams, the feeling of being stuck is universal.

Emily puts it this way,

“If you are feeling overwhelmed, carrying a heavy decision, or living with what seems to be a growing imbalance between the work you do during the week and the rest you’re supposed to be doing on the weekends, choosing a pastime could be a worthy next right thing.”

Reflecting again on the interview at hand that early Autumn morning, I contemplate a common struggle between the normal, everyday business of life that sustains us, and the creative forms of art that inspire us.

Is it possible we are more settled, as individuals and as a whole, when making room for both?

Perhaps.

For many of us, a spontaneous photo journey through South America is unlikely, and may not even be a viable option, but there is something we can all do, especially when burn out comes a’knockin.

Keep creativity alive, and embrace the unique expressions that fuel our passion for life.

We can surrender to the impulse.

We can dust off the camera, or try our hand with a paintbrush.  We can loop the long forgotten needle and thread. We can make music, freshen our well-loved home decor, or swing a garden hoe, and cultivate the earthy soil.

We can move beyond deadlines and to-do lists, and give ourselves permission to settle into a less complicated pace every now and then.

A simple plan of action? Yes. Though not always so easy to practice without intention.

But instead of viewing these and similar interests as pursuits that would steer us away from goals deemed more worthy, can we allow them to be the very things that actually help us stay the course, keep our focus, and wholeheartedly live life to the full, right where we are?

I think I’m willing to find out.

How about you?