celebrate - Live Life Well

30, June 202321, July 2023

Change Manifesto – now even more incomplete

Be open to change. Don't be afraid to fail. Experiment and explore. Be patient. Have fun!

Way, way back in the day (1998), Canadian designer Bruce Mau drafted up his Incomplete Manifesto – a kind of wish list of defiance, motivations, and invocation to the heavens. In a way, the Manifesto, now a 20-something, took on a life of its own, and is running wild and free with aspiring designers around the world. Bruce is probably wondering why the Manifesto doesn’t call so often and hopes maybe there’ll be some grandkids soon.

In the spirit of fun here’s my offering of a grandchild:

How to Grow Creatively – a Concise Change Manifesto

Be open to change. Growth is not something that happens to you, you have to produce it.
Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Experiment and explore. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
Be patient. Growth takes time.
Have fun! Growth should be enjoyable.

Here are some specific examples of how to apply these principles:
Continue reading “Change Manifesto – now even more incomplete”

26, June 202321, July 2023

How come it’s easier to believe in aliens than it is to believe in me?

Alien at night drawn with sparklers
There are a few reasons why it might be easier to believe in aliens than in ourselves.

Aliens are outside of our own experience. We don’t know what they’re like, so our imaginations can run wild. We can fill in the blanks with whatever we want, and there’s no one to tell us we’re wrong.

Aliens are a mystery. The unknown is always more exciting than the known. We’re naturally curious about things we don’t understand, and aliens are the ultimate mystery.

Aliens offer hope. The idea that there might be other intelligent life out there can be a source of hope for some people. It can make us feel less alone in the universe, and it can give us something to aspire to. Continue reading “How come it’s easier to believe in aliens than it is to believe in me?”

25, June 202325, June 2023

Where do great ideas come from?

Have you ever wondered where those amazing ideas that change the world come from? You’re not alone in wanting to explore the fascinating world of creative thinking and discover the unexpected sources from which great ideas spring forth. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a scientist, or simply a curious mind, understanding the origins of great ideas can inspire and empower your own creative journey.

Curiosity and Wonder
Great ideas often arise from a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around us. Asking questions, observing the details, and nurturing a sense of awe can open the door to new insights and innovative thoughts. So next time you’re feeling bored or uninspired, try taking a closer look at the world around you. You might be surprised at what you find!

Connecting the Dots
Many groundbreaking ideas come from connecting seemingly unrelated concepts. By exploring different fields and disciplines, you can draw connections between ideas that others might overlook. So don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and explore new things. You never know where your next great idea might come from! Who knows? That unexpected cream pie in the face might be just the breakthrough inspiration you’ve been looking for.

Embracing Failure
Believe it or not, failure can be a fertile ground for great ideas. Mistakes and setbacks often lead to valuable lessons and unexpected breakthroughs. So don’t be afraid to fail! Embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Mindfulness and Reflection
Quiet moments of reflection and mindfulness can be powerful catalysts for great ideas. By giving yourself space to think, meditate, or simply be present, you create an environment where creativity can flourish. So take some time each day to disconnect from distractions and tune in to your own imagination.

Collaboration and Sharing
Great ideas are not always born in isolation. Collaborating with others, sharing thoughts, and engaging in meaningful discussions can spark new perspectives and inspire innovative ideas. So surround yourself with diverse voices and be open to collaboration as a powerful tool for idea generation. Help out with a charitable organisation – perhaps for the environment or to help humanity – or even an elderly neighbour.

Conclusion
Great ideas are magical and can emerge from the most unexpected places. By nurturing curiosity, embracing failure, making diverse connections, and allowing moments of reflection, you can unlock the wellspring of creativity within you. Remember, creativity knows no boundaries or limitations. Explore, experiment, and never stop asking, “Where do great ideas come from?” Keep seeking, and you will discover a world of endless possibilities waiting to be unleashed. Let your imagination soar, and watch as your own great ideas shape the world around you.

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

23, June 202321, July 2023

How to cope with failure

Failure is an ugly place, I’m not going to pretend it’s not. I hate it when my plans don’t turn out.

Even as I write this I can feel the bitter taste of failure welling up in my throat. You might recognise that taste, that feeling, too. I wish I could give you some deep and meaningful quotes that makes it all go away. But it doesn’t. It’s a condition of being alive and you can take some comfort in being alive.

Sometimes that’s a small comfort. I know that. Things go wrong and *bang* I’m that determined (but misguided) four year old who sewed the oven cloth to my clothes. By mistake or misunderstanding, it makes no difference, the only way out was cutting my work off me. My sister made a big deal of my failure, and that really hurt.

I’ve failed so many times I’ve finally began to build a relationship with failure. Along the way I’ve learned a few tricks to make the depressing ditchwater taste a little better. Here are a few suggestions – tips for how to cope:
Continue reading “How to cope with failure”