Joy Diet #4 - Creativity and GPP #34 - The Dark Side

Warning: I took creative liberties with how I responded to the material in this chapter. Children should not attempt to do this with their school textbooks. The author of this blog will not take responsibility for the wonton destruction of other people's property.

I found a couple of golden nuggets in this chapter on creativity in Martha Beck's book, "The Joy Diet." The first nugget is Martha Beck's suggestion to conceptualize and write down at least one new, concrete idea that will help you obtain something your heart desires. This is a great idea for if you don't take any steps, how can you make things happen?

The second nugget is a truth I discovered on my own around six years ago when my ex-husband and I separated. We really weren't a good match and to make matters worse, he had some serious anger management issues. What I take away from all of it was how much of what "I took" -- you see I permitted it. In some way, I created the situation. Now this doesn't take him off the hook for his behavior but I now see how I didn't have to live with it as long as I did, nor will I *EVER* give up my peaceful life to such behavior.

I have a confession, I really can't stand Martha Beck's writing style. I'm particularly peeved any time she makes a list and it never fails the last item on the list is something random. It appears that the random item is selected to be far out, cute, funny. Her awkward sense of humor doesn't work for me.

Now I'm a highly creative person, one who regularly taps into this infinite well of creative ideas. As I read through Beck's suggestions, I grew so irritable that I decided to name her writing style (and some of her ideas) as the enemy.

I pulled out my black gesso, white gesso, scissors, and glitter. You know I felt so much better as I was defacing the pages that had ideas that I hated. I'm laughing so hard right now thinking about the irony -- how this book on finding *JOY* illicit such a dark response from me. Oh this is too much.

I'm not likely to look at these pages again, unless I did something about it.

This is just it, Beck's list of activities are only suggestions. They may work for you and I'd love to hear if they did. For me pulling out some paint and getting messy is a great way to work out my ideas and feelings.

Ironically, I didn't participate in the "Wreck this Journal" blog book group this summer. I bought the book and was all set but I didn't feel moved. I'm laughing as I write this because you know it felt so great to wreck the pages of this chapter.

I feel a bit justified too, for you see there is evidence...

...that this is a workbook. Who said that we had to stay within the lines?

I hope I didn't offend any of my fellow Joy Seekers who are participating in Jamie Ridler's blog book group. I do think there are great ideas throughout the book. I hope if you don't like an idea that you take the good parts and then get creative with how you want to adopt it. I can't wait to hear your reaction.

If you are looking to get your creative juices flowing one place I *HIGHLY* recommend is Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team Challenge Blog. Just looking at Michelle's suggestions and how each participant plays with the idea is sure to get your creative bones dancing. This month's challenge is to work with black journal pages. My headstone page started off pretty black but lightened with all of the layers of white gesso that I stamped on. CLICK HERE to visit the GPP Crusade #34.

Check out these links for more information and inspiration:

Jamie Ridler's The Next Chapter Blog Book Group: The Joy Diet

Creative Every Day

Comments

[Jane]

Totally cool, and I love your honesty and how you've shared your experience and the lessons learned. Also I like the "dark" mood of your work!

[becky nielsen]

Kathryn, this is great! Love your alterations - "the soup is not to your liking, madame?" And now you've spiced it your way!

I got stuck on the lists and things, too. Don't like them, the exercise didn't grab me. But there are things in this chapter that I did like. Your nuggets were true for me. And I was struck by the comment that "Their plans for living come from half-formed inclinations and other people's demands, meaning that their creativity is never targeted at resolving the issues that really matter to them." I recognize that much of my life was like that - that I happened to stumble into some important things, but am ready to be more conscious about my decision making.

This book, and more importantly, this group, nourishes and challenges me.

[Cath]

This is too funny - as a librarian I love knowing what you did to the book. And all that messy black? Fabulous!

[Helen]

I really like your altered book.Helen

[forcryeye]

What a riot! I am sure we all can find a book to do this to! Ha ha!