"put a little buzz into your life." Bill Apablasa/Oxygen Buzz
This is not a real post. It's actually - for a lengthy quote from an article from Oxygen Buzz, that I came across when writing about lasagne. I think the website is not necessarily a foodie blog, more a creativity one - and after the author's (Bill Apablasa) little piece about The crunchy part of lasagne he gave a list of ways you will know you are living a creative life. I suppose it's a little bit corny - I think the best words of wisdom are, but I found myself strangely moved by it. Perhaps we are embarrassed by such things, because without acknowledging it to ourselves they sometimes hit home. I guess not everything below hit home, but quite a lot of it did.
I tired inserting it into the lasagne post, but it doesn't really belong there, and I just wanted to pass it on. Probably breaking all sorts of copyright rules in the process. Anyway here it is:
"You’re living a creative life every time you make someone laugh, feel better, more valued, listened to, and respected. Every moment you become more empathetic and connected with those around you, you’re a creative genius.
You’re living a creative life every time you carve out an extra hour a day from a busy schedule to pursue a buried passion, or when you work two jobs and still make time to read to your children, meditate, do yoga, or call an old friend.
You’re living a creative life when you give up perfection for authenticity— when you pivot your world so that it aligns with your true self, even if that means switching careers, reinventing the one you have, or moving to another country.
You’re living a creative life every time you question what you want to do with your life, and then make a move to find the answer. It’s not the new life that makes you creative, but the steps you take to get there.
You’re living a creative life when you master cosmic mathematics—living with less, discovering more, seeing value and meaning where none existed, and joy where there was none.
You’re living a creative life when you see magic everywhere, from the gemstones on your desk to your underwear to the music you’re listening to. You’re living a creative life when you realize that your entire day is synchronistically talking to you, guiding you, and steering you toward the experiences you need for your journey, as well as to help with the journey of those around you.
You’re living a creative life when you can be quiet, still, and alone, allowing serenity into a world filled with chaos. Extra credit when you realize that the stillness you found holds the source to all your creativity.
You’re living a creative life every time you transform “your burdens” into purpose and a pathway to growth and transformation. More extra credit when you lose the word “burden.”
You’re living a creative life when you’re sick and still a find a way to be whole, or when you’re well and then honor that health with gratitude and a deeper respect for your body.
You’re living a creative life when you allow nature to be your creative muse, leading you to wander where your heart wants to be—to the desert in your van, surfing in the ocean, a hike up in the mountains, or a long walk with your dog.
You’re living a creative life when you become an everyday alchemist: turning boring meetings into an opportunity to practice mindfulness, or ill-tempered family into mentors who teach unconditional love, or rush hour traffic into a chance to learn Mandarin; when you can sweep the floor or run a company with an equal sense of love and service.
You’re living a creative life when you see your life beyond what you do for a living, the roles you’ve played, and titles you have—life beyond what you can see, touch, hear and feel.
You’re living a creative life every time you start over, keep going, make better, uplift, brighten, become, turn into, and transform. And like that beautiful piece of crunchy lasagna, you’re living a creative life every time you allow yourself to tear down and rearrange what’s already there—unafraid to go places where others have never been, or more importantly, to places you’ve never been.
You're living a creative life when you are brave and vulnerable enough to start working on the truest piece of art there is—you.
And, quite frankly, that's the only piece of art the universe needs."
Bill Apablasa/Oxygen Buz
