To the Edge

Resides there, at the edge of the human enclosure, artists whose purpose it is to explore the edge, the border territory, of what it means to be human. They work in territory where one reality encounters another, where light encounters dark, where scariness and beauty mingle, where demons and gods dance. There, vague sensations are encountered that can often only be sensed on some kind of pre-verbal basis. They explore their interior world, they explore the mystery of existence, of nature. They do what they do based on some combination of imagination, hard work and discipline. They search for truth and find part-truth.  From Art is About the Mystery - Roderick MacIver


Push beyond a writing edge from your interior world. 

Get into the terror of territory and jump past fears and fragilities.  

Move through excuses and let the demons dance.

Plunge into opposites for meaning.  

Define an abstract with all the senses: passion, peace, petulance. 

Investigate an unuseful habit.

Discover an aspect of nature.



Let a truth emerge. 

Develop a Style

Each artist evolves a style. A voice and vision reveal in a variety of ways.

Style concerns itself with questions.  What does it look, sound, and feel like?  Voice expresses through gesture, an inner truth, and hidden realms of meaning.

Consider ways to promote your unique self and ways you shape reality and make meaning.

Do you rely on senses of color and texture or what you hear and taste?

Include your sense of humor.

Develop into an emotional receiver of sensitivity.

Discover your Expressive power of style.

Awareness Training

"My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just to enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate."- Thornton Wilder

                                                                  
Will Bowen, a Kansas City minister, suggests word choice determines thought choice, which determines emotions and actions. Conditioning helps us stop using certain words.

Will designed a solution in the form of a simple purple bracelet, which he offered to his congregation with a challenge. Go 21 days without complaining. Each time individuals complained, they had to switch the bracelet to the other wrist and start again from day 0. It was simple but effective awareness training.

Consider going a day-at-a-time to put creativity ahead of complaints.

Each time a complaint or criticism crosses the mind find a replacement word or possible action.

Add the band idea. Use a rubber band and snap it when you feel the need to complain. Replace the critical notion with a solution or the opposite point of view.

At the end of the day write about ways you discovered to problem solve rather than whine.

Starting points:

Work on self-criticism to begin your process. When you hear words in your head, "Oh, why can't I?" Turn the words into, "I can always . . . "

Revise daily headlines into humorous possibilities. For each scene of violence, find someone to save the day. Push creativity and have aliens or animals turn the situation around.

Notice how others begin conversations that center on a complaint or criticism. Change the subject. Point to the sky, "There's Halley's comet," to distract.

While standing in line, observe what you admire about others waiting with you.

If someone tailgates and honks, turn your frown into a laugh. Just think what it would be like to sing your school's fight song to energize that person.

When the mind gallops in circles during a meal, repeat Thornton Wilder's thoughts and focus on the joy of the moment. 

If you find yourself snapping the band too often, create a tune and laugh along with it.

Take the time to flush out the frustrations. 

When conditioning with a variety of word choices, notice how your attitude changes.

Revel in creativity and upturn the lips.