Thoughts on Living Well: The Secret Joys of Doing

The Gentle Art of Trying Something & Sucking at It

How often do we think of doing something creative; maybe make a new recipe, or go to a drawing class, or taking up yoga...whatever it is, there is always that first time, maybe the first 10 or 100 times - and there is always someone better, and so maybe we are put off.

If are like me, and maybe like a lot of people, you get self critical about your attempt.  "Ah this is terrible, I will never be good at this"  But I have come to realize that that misses the point entirely.

The question then becomes: how do you get over sucking at something you’re trying to learn, so you can enjoy it, and maybe get good at it?

Here’s what you might try:

As you begin try something new, notice when you feel frustrated - and let it go.  You’re out of your comfort zone - be an explorer.  Absorb, be in the moment.

 I am reminded of  Leonardo da Vinci’s adventurous credo, "experience will be my mistress”.  What a wonderful expression and way of looking at things by one of the worlds greatest thinkers.

There is a writer, Roman Krznaric, who observed:

A disastrous cultural inheritance from the Renaissance is the idea that creativity is about originality.  We have in our minds the image of geniuses like Michelangelo, who was worshipped for his stunning originality, which seemed to be a divine gift from above.  But I think that is off-putting for most of us, and makes us feel that if we aren’t being brilliant and original then we are lacking a creative streak"

Rather than originality, I think creativity is more about self-expression, and the joy of simply doing a thing. There is of course a separate joy in doing a thing well - but that cannot come at the beginning, and that should not be the measure of satisfaction.

Among the things I have tried in the past year, of which I suck to varying degrees but secretly love:

• Drawing - I go to art class, figure drawing mostly.  When the model goes into pose, I freeze.  Where do I start? What is the first line to be drawn?, look at the guy next to me, he is amazing, he has her half sketched out.  My drawing is all out of proportion.  Why wont my hands do what my brain wants.
  
  But then I think of the positive - I love the vibe here, where did the time go? I see glimpses of something in my sketch that looks like art.  I am in intense focus and concentration.  I see the beauty, I want to document it, capture it forever - but then I realize, the beauty is the moment itself, whether I capture it accurately or not or not
  

• Making Bread - I look at the photos in my bread book.  My bread does not look like this. I see the different variations - yet all my attempts look the same.  It does not taste like my favorite breads from my favorite bakeries (but why should it, those are professionals, at the top of their game, doing their life's calling, I have made maybe 20 breads?
  
  But then I think of the positive - I love the smell and feel of the dough.  I love the anticipation, mostly overnight at the prospect of fresh bread.  It doesn't always look great but it tastes pretty good.  I have been focusing on using ancient grains which are so much healthier so my own bread is actually good for me.  I remind myself that these ancient grains are not the ideal for bread making so considering I am using a specialized ingredient it is actually pretty good!
  

• Cooking - Cooking is one of lifes truly great pleasures.  Not cooking for sustinence, or daily meals. Sadly my life is not organized in such a way that I can devote big chunks of time, daily, to cooking the days meal, but I love the idea of cooking as a thing; maybe to take up a Sunday, or to come home early from work.  But sometimes the end product is not exactly like the great one that I copied.  Sometimes it succeeds, it is rarely a disaster, but always when I taste the result of my efforts, I immediately think.."ah it needs more of this or less of that.  (again when I am inspired by a great tasting dish, it is almost always made to perfections by someone who has been making it forever so why would my first attempt be just as good)
  
  But then I think of the positive - I love the idea of making something from scratch.  I especially love the idea of quality, fresh local ingredients.  I love the smells.  I put on music.  I drink wine.  Its the process and the satisfaction that comes in cooking, and sitting down to enjoy the results of my own efforts.  

There are many other things I pursue, like photography, music.  But lastly that brings me to Kahuna bodywork.  With each bodywork I sometimes get frustrated of something I missed, or could have done better. I recall watching the masters under whom I have trained and think, why can I not do it that way, and so on  - BUT then I think about the positive - there is so much to be positive about.  I love the work,  the environment I create, the sense of calm, of balance, the loss of time and the ability to just be in the moment, the exchange of energy, the way it makes people happy and feeling better.  Each bodywork is different. A chance to grow, and improve and perfect a stroke.  It live me happy, satisfied, fulfilled. 

So - Forget about Michelangelo, forget about those ahead of you or better at you than the thing you are doing.  There is always and will always be someone better.  So be it. Dont be robbed of the joy of the expeience no matter the outcome. 

Think, Dream, Do, Enjoy ....let experience be your mistress.

Aloha

PS - feel free to share your feelings about your pursuits here