Mottos to live by

[danaeris]

Lots of personal growth lately... I've been reading a fabulous book called "Fearless Living" by Rhonda Britten. There's also a sequel called "Fearless Loving."

I'm not supposed to talk about what I'm doing/thinking yet (that apparently comes at a later stage in the book, page 112/chapter 5, to be specific). But at page 75, I'm already looking at the world in whole new ways. I DID talk about this stuff with my therapist, and it was one of the more productive sessions I've ever had. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, including those with one or more of: anxiety problems, self-esteem/confidence problems, codependence, and possibly also depression. I'll explain the premise of the book some more at some point once I get to chapter 5.

Anyway, somewhere out of this came the following mottos, which are just as connected to the meat of this work as not, and I have no compunctions about sharing:

The secret to success is NOT brute strength or control, but rather, good strategy.

and

Creativity arises from IMPERFECTION.

I wrote these motos in bright red crayon on a white sheet that is sitting next to my mouse, alongside a drawing of Very Topsi, a prosperity-focused servitor.

Feel free to give me examples from real life that show the truth of these mottos. Do me a favour and DON'T try to discredit them; that would be counterproductive at this point.

Comments

[yaksman.livejournal.com]

There's an easy metaphor from Martial Arts.
While strength helps, and gaining control is a short term goal in a fight, the important thing is to know your technique and structures, and use them effectively. That sounds like strategy to me. I can even extend it a bit, and point out that when a technique doesn't go quite as planned, as skilled fighter uses core principals to come up with a counter in the moment - creativity from a failed technique.

[earthdragon.livejournal.com]

I've certainly found creativity comes from noise and confusion, both of which are subsets of imprefection, but have the advantage of activly hitting you in the face, as opposed to being a passive chalange waiting to be dealt with.

Back in the day when I was working on foundation, some of the best ideas came from trying to explain stuff, and having it be missunderstood, because the missunderstandings turned into new ideas.

[echan.livejournal.com]

Creativity arises from IMPERFECTION.

Ooo, I really like that one. The first examples that come to mind are when following knitting or cross-stitch patterns, often times mistakes will be renamed "creative interpretations", if not spawn full-out alterations of the pattern. Patterns aren't meant to be followed exactly; that's what machines are for.

Mistakes are opportunities for more creativity

[moniqueg.livejournal.com]

In art school they used to tell us not to throw ANYTHING away and, even in our scrapbooks, to not tear out the page or cross anything out. Basically when you make a 'mistake' in a paining (let's say) you will probably decide you like it and leave it in, or it may give you an idea for something else.

So I defenetely agrea that Creativity arises from IMPERFECTION

[echan.livejournal.com]

And Literature -- libraries would be tiny if there was only one, perfect, way to tell a story.

[polywolf.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a great book, may I borrow it after your done?

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

Only if you've taken a break from reading this sort of stuff first. Go read some lighthearted fiction or watch some stargate! Take a break from self-development and spiritual development.

Yes Dear

[polywolf.livejournal.com]

Yes my dear that sounds like a good idea, I've even stopped reading the native indian book i've been reading.

Re: Yes Dear

[ladystyx.livejournal.com]

yea Danae!
thanks for telling him that
LAdystyx

Re: Yes Dear

[polywolf.livejournal.com]

hey is this a gang up on Will(just kidding)

Re: Yes Dear

[ladystyx.livejournal.com]

nooo... this is a help will take care of himself.lol. hugs.

[gentlescholar.livejournal.com]

I forget the title, but the Miles Vorkosigan adventure where he goes to Jackson's Whole, and meets (Talia?) the supersoldier slave, he takes her with him to sabotage the bad guys, who are billionaire genetics engineers. He goes over to the refrigeration systems for all their samples, takes Talia's hand, and says, "Okay, very, very gently, turn this knob to the right. Use just enough force to move it. Good. You just brought down an empire. And you didn't need very much strength to do it."

[gentlescholar.livejournal.com]

There's also a story out there about an author who has a genie grant his wish of "no down time"--so he's always first in line at the supermarket, never has to wait for a cab, etc. And he can't get inspired because his brain doesn't have any down time to just idle on random imperfections in life.

New photo

[moniqueg.livejournal.com]

Just a quick note to tell you I really like that new image you have next to your name :-)