Creativity ... the Spice of Life!

"Creative living" - what does that really mean, anyway? I will profess to you here on my blog that I will try to inspire and showcase creative living in my life. I know what I meant when I started, but today, I hope to continue to make my creativity even clearer.

For example, the single mother who finds a way to make ends meet - is that creative? Craftily balancing each moment of her day like a dazzling waitress, arm full of plates - there's craftiness there, and determination, and don't those traits add up to "creative"? And really, who's to say if they do or don't?

Another example is the painter, who creates brilliantly colored canvasas, but shows no interest in the world beyond his studio - surely he's creative - he's an artist after all; but does that mean that making art is the sole indicator of creativity? what then, of the 20-something who is full to bursting with love for the world, but can only write lists in the notebook he or she keeps by their bed of ways to make a difference?

Is it just semantics, or do these questions matter?

When I started this blog I had a very clear definition of "creativity" in mind: "Creativity as in "mindfulness," as in "making active choices" - as in, seeing life as a story to be written, not a script to follow. I still believe in the importance of actively creating your own life, but it's that word - "creative" - that trips me up. It's so over-used, or mis-used - like "faith" and "love" and "truth," it's a word that's charged, and dangerous, because it means so much, and so many different things, to so many different people.

Maybe this posting is my way of trying to reclaim the word from the academics and advertisers, who use the term carelessly, as short-hand. "The creative class" - everyone from hairdressers to scientists, defined as an economic phenomenon, implying that those who don't fit the description are, well, not creative. A "creative brief": a snazzily-written document that summarizes the best way to sell something (a car, a tv show, a concept) to a target audience ("target," as in, firing range). "Creative problem solving" - applying ingenuity to get something done in order to further a business objective. These phrases are as far from what "creative" means to me as "I love my MTV" is from "I love you" between soul mates.

But this is a democracy, right? Language is there for anyone to use, however they want to use it. No use being so uptight. Fine! But I remember being 23 years old, wanting to graduate dental school, saying to myself, "I just want to open my wings and fly and be creative!" "Well, I've always thought I would be wonderful at anything I choose to do," my mind told me. It was like I had said I was starving, and someone had offered me a saltine. But there was a gap there I didn't know how to bridge, because I didn't even really know what I meant; I just knew that "creative" was the closest signifier I could grab hold of.

To paraphrase Rilke, from Letters to a Young Poet - maybe I needed to live my way into the definition. Maybe "creativity" is vague until you make it specific, by growing into it. And maybe "love" is the same way - as flimsy or sturdy as your experience with it; a word, a concept, until you can inhabit it, and it becomes a life force.

Which brings me back to the purpose of my blog, to show the creativity of life and the fullness and richness with which it brings, but to be able to express myself fully in the written language. And maybe, as a writer, who cares about language enough to use it purposefully, I hope to leave a trail of bread crumbs for people when I use these words - a promise of something that flickers in the distance until one day, if you're lucky, it illuminates your whole life. And maybe, that's why some of us write: to get closer to the light ourselves.

Just another thought in the day of my life. Just another day of continued happiness on earth!

Dad ... the Cool Fool

"What do you mean ... I'm funny? What do you mean ... you mean the way I talk? What? ... But I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown ... I amuse you? I make you laugh ...? What do you mean funny ... funny how? How am I funny?" Joe Pesci's character - Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas

Yes ... I'm a fool dad. And ... yes ... I'm here to amuse you.

I'm not stating that I'm or any other dad is a fool ... not even close! It's just that since I'm a dad I've played a fool more often than before fatherhood. You see ... I find myself doing the silliest things all day, every day. I've made up more songs on the spot than the best writers from Capitol Records. I speak in enough voices to make Rich Little jealous! And dancing! Well ... it isn't good ... but I jump around and boogie all over the place. And this all doesn't even count the funny faces, zrberts, fart noises and everything else I do on a daily basis.

Ever worn a diaper? ... On your head? Um ... I have. Before your imagination gets out of hand let me explain: Sometimes when I would change my son I'd need him to smile and giggle rather than squirm around. So ... on my head plops a diaper (a new, clean one of course, I'm not that much of a fool). Without fail my son would laugh out loud and I'd get a new diaper on him without much trouble. I fully expect to use the diaper trick on my grandbabies when that day comes.

See ... being a dad means taking one for the team. If I have to jump around and distort my face to keep the kids happy ... then so be it. Heck ... it's loads of fun! Life gets pretty serious at times so it's nice to let go, be silly and laugh with the kids.

And really ... what sound is better than a child's laugh? Not much!

So ... I'm a Clown ... a Jester ... one cool Fool. But ... as long as it makes my kids laugh ... I'll be a Fool and Love it!

Just another day in the life of this Dad. Just another day of continued happiness on earth!

Snugglebugs, Cuddlebugs and Hugs

"Dad? I don't want to go bed right now ... can I stay up and snuggle with you?"

Questions of the heart and soul can add a significant eternal perspective in my life on a daily basis.

Being the type of man I am, I truly enjoy those hours in the evening when I have time to myself, can enter my man cave, and reflect on the days happenings and look to the coming days as to what I need to continue to accomplish. Those moments of quietness to ponder are few and sacred. A moment of peace and tranquility.

It is in these moments that my youngest 8 year old son will sheepishly sneak up behind me to ask that simple, tender question: "Dad ... can I snuggle with you?" With that phrase, the cares of work, the world and all that surrounds me vanishes and the eternal view of my precious child awakens me to the true meaning and purpose of life.

Books, work, emailings are all set aside as this little one grabs his blanket and pillow to eek out a few more minutes of awakeness before he succumbs to the sandman. Then with all the stillness of a Mexican jumping bean ... he snuggles. These tender moments truly soften my heart from all the hardness the world would intend to instill. My testimony of the Plan of Happiness is strengthened in the knowledge that as peaceful as my own quite moments alone are, they are nothing when compared with the magnitude and love that comes from my family!

Funny thing is ... all my kids from 8 to 18 enjoy their snuggle time with dad. Whether its in watching their favorite TV show or movie, or simply just talking and listening to the important things in their lives. But with all the snuggles and the cuddles ... the hugs are the cherry on top, the embrace and "I love you's" can't be beat.

The sore muscles never seem to ache as I carry the little one upstairs to his bed. Laying him down ... tucking him in and giving him a hug and a kiss on the forhead, with a final "I love you Son" you think would be the touching moment. It's not ... rather, its the with his eyes still closed and head turning to the side and huge ear-to-ear smile and "I love you too Dad!" that makes a grown man's heart swell with gratitude!

The snuggles, the cuddles and yes the hugs are the sanity for my insanity. It was what a life worth living is made up of. As a dad ... I couldn't ask for or be blessed with anything better. Just another day in the life of this dad. Just another day of continued happiness on earth!