Recently I was given a really big gift of glass with the request, but not requirement, that I pay it forward. You may have read about it in my Paying it Forward post on my bead blog. An interesting thing has happened since then. That gift has been working on me.
First, it got me started thinking about what I could do. How could I have the most impact? Where could I really do good? I started to get a bit restless because I felt as if I had received the gift and wasn’t doing anything with it. I told myself to be patient…the right thing would come along. I dug in to wait for inspiration. I would know what the best thing was when it presented itself.
The funny thing is, the more I thought about it, the more I started to see things in a different way. Life started to make less sense but at the same time, things became more clear. How’s that for a conundrum? All of this searching for business success started to seem really silly. I started to realize how empty it was. It would be one thing if I had to do it to support my family…then it would have purpose and meaning. But I don’t. I realized how selfish it all was.
So I came up with this idea. Or the idea came up with me. What if I took a whole year and everything I made (outside of costs) was for the benefit of someone else? What if I worked for charity for a whole year? How much could I, not only achieve for a good cause, but also, how much could I probably learn about myself in that process?
And right now, I can’t get those thoughts out of my head. I’m feeling called to it. My husband, on the other hand is helping me to have a reality check. But I know him…if I can’t let this go, he’ll encourage me. What does this have to do with my creative process?
I’ve been in a creative slump for probably 2 years now. You may have noticed that my blogging has fallen off, you haven’t seen new designs that I’m excited about, I haven’t had any new marketing things, etc. Well, the day after I pitched this idea to my husband, my attitude changed and my creativity came back. My energy came back and my eyes brightened. Not that I have a new design to show you but I have this…
Big deal, you may say. Not overly complicated beads. These beads were made for a friend (and they’ll be on their way soon). They’re for a charity that SHE supports called Melon Heads. The beads needed to be in the theme of watermelon. Normally, if I would set out to make something with a specific goal I would have a LOT of time into testing color combos, shapes, etc. and lots of failures sitting on my bench. That’s why I have procrastinated so long in getting to this set.
But last week I saw on FaceBook that Lisa might not be having a great day and I vowed that TODAY was the day I would get those beads done! I sat down, made one test bead, and it was perfect. PERFECT. The rest of the set just rolled off my fingers. Now THAT hasn’t happened in a LONG time. Somehow, my creative brain was freed up. I didn’t have to think about what would sell, or what people would like or coming up with something new and spectacular.
I just had to be. And create. And do something nice for someone else. No expectations on myself. It was like I was freed from a burden.
So, it’s true. When you’re feeling mopey or bad about yourself and your life…think about someone else and do something nice for them. And remember, when you do something nice for someone, you could start a whole chain of events in THEIR life that leads them to feeling better and paying it forward too!
Try it. I dare you.
Lori Greenberg blogs about beads and the business of beads from her studio in Cave Creek, Arizona. You can see more of her beads at her web site: www.lorigreenberg.com
lisa liddy says:
You, my friend, ROCK. Those are amazing. And your blog entry captures the whole idea behind my Melonhead Joolz. Those are great and I can see them in other colors too! Hope this sets you on a whole new trail. Smooches.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Holly says:
I have to say, I’ve had a similar breakthrough in my own work. I simply stopped worrying about what will sell… it probably won’t in this economy. But I started making beads I love. Ones I would be happy to give away. Once I did that, all the creativity that left me months ago, came flooding back.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Mallory says:
Wow! How great is that? Creativity unleashed by the very act of giving! We truly do receive more than we give! Congratulations!
http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
February 17th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Marcy says:
I loved reading this post. How often do artists feel almost “burdened” with creating. When that weight is lifted from your shoulders, you can be free to imagine.
I’m so glad for you and hope you enjoy the rest of your quest.
Marcy
February 18th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Joan says:
Wonderful. I’m so happy for you. This sounds as if you’ve been set free. Enjoy the ride.
Joan
February 18th, 2009 at 6:24 am
kabsconcepts says:
Great post Lori.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Patricia Carberry says:
I love this post! What an inspiration! I have been struggling creatively for the past 2 years also, not really allowing myself to play. Getting out of my own way and concentrating on others is a great way out of that. Thanks , Lori!
February 18th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Twiggy says:
Lori,
You might not realize it, but you inspire and provoke thought in a lot of people who get your emails and read your blogs, not to mention those of us who go to your site just to drool and enjoy the eye candy. You have been giving all along and maybe didn’t realize it. You might have been motivated by business, but you could have built a business without sharing, so it was the good in you that prompted you to build your business using those methods.
As a fellow lampworker, you have set good standards and your professional presence is very good. We all hit creative slumps, and if you look closely, or ask a truthful friend, you may not be in a creative slump, you might just be over critical or the “Wow! Look what I made!” wasn’t there because you have gained the skills, so the excitement of gaining a new skill isn’t present.
I am glad you found new creative juices, you are a valuable member of the lampwork community.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Kathy Lowe says:
Lori,
I am inspired by your generosity and thoughtfulness everytime I see a post from you! By writing your thoughts you are motivating and encouraging me and others to examine our own lives and purpose and to understand we are all one in the challenges we share as artists. Thank you for being open about your, and all of our, struggles as business owners and lampworkers. You really bring an intellectual and professional edge to the art of glass beads.
Thanks so much for sharing you!
March 5th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Watch Me Create » Going Through Changes. Personally and Artistically. says:
[...] mentioned in my last post that I’ve been in a two year slump. Definitely one of those times where change, if [...]
March 8th, 2009 at 11:40 am
mona says:
you rock Lori…
I love your beads
mona & the girls
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 am
Lori G. says:
Thank you everyone for such nice comments! Just as you feel I’ve shared, it’s your comments like this that make me see that Yes, I have accomplished something. So many times something is second nature to us so it doesn’t seem as special…we need each other like this so we can recognize our own gifts. Thank you for that!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 am