How hard does a flower or a sunset have to work to look so beautiful?
For years and years I've sat down at my computer to go 'to work' - on planning, marketing, sales and promotions of my business - organising events, posters etc etc.
And in all that time I squeezed in my practice or research or arranging or writing in between my work.
Recently I met an old friend who's a wonderful songwriter. In his earlier life he worked as a journalist. And since retiring from that line of work, he plays music regularly, within a 10 mile radius of his own home and always sleeps in his own bed at night. Never tours and never worries about any of the chases attached to any of the creative businesses. And he says "I've never worked a day in my life - I've loved both of my jobs so much." Isn't that a wonderful thought?
And I thought to myself - Fil, you are thinking all wrong about this. Those other things should be only by the ways, but the real work should be the creative processes.
Coming from a background of working 9 to 5, even though I myself have only done that for a couple of years of my earlier working life, I've always thought that I was doing nothing.
It's a hard habit to change. But change it I will - and that's my 'work' for the time being.
Are you playing or working tonight? I'd love to hear your take on it.
I'm retired Fil so don't have to bother about it any more. However, for most of my life I was a 9-5er.
ReplyDeleteI envy you Jo :)
DeleteHello my lovely!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry I have not been around recently. I've actually been on a cruise for almost 2 weeks and before that I was in France for a week! I do apologise for the lack of blog presence and comments. I do hope you are well!
I work at school of course but it IS lovely doing music for my job!
How wonderful Kezzie - I saw your pics from France but I hope the cruise was fab - look forward to seeing some of that in the coming weeks.
DeleteI loved this post, dear Fil, all so right - are we playing or working? I think it's now a mix - I am playing and working. I mean, it could be a tad better, but I still enjoy what I am doing, enough not to quit it! I loved the way you describe it about a flower and loved to know the story of the song writer! Ah, by the way, thank you so much for telling me about the hacked blog :) I have discovered the problem, thanks to you! Hope you have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
Glad you got it sorted Denise :) x
DeleteHi Fil - tonight I'm being creative ... watching the Great St Trinian's Train Robbery - the original film ... so I'll be taking away loads of laughs - but I agree we really should be just enjoying life - doing whatever we're doing ... embrace one's job ... will make life easier.
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
That's my sort of creative Hilary :) Margaret Rutherford - I loved her.
DeleteI remember Margaret Rutherford. I also spoke to Hilary about Anna Neagle. Do you remember her Fil?
DeleteYes I do - I loved those Ealing comedies. And what did you call the big man who often starred with Margaret - he did a lot of Agatha Christie as well
DeleteHi Fil...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your perspective of working or playing.. Sometimes it's a matter of how we've been raised or taught. My father was all work and no play..Which was understandable. He grew up very poor on a farm in West Virginia. He quit school after the 8th grade to work and help the family.
I used to be practical..just like him.. which is very good in some ways. I now look at life very differently.. My latest post reflects a bit of this. And tonight, I'll be playing music on a little open air stage in the AZ mountains.. There's a few photos of that in the post also. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Very thought provoking. It's a good thing if we can pour our hearts into whatever we're doing and enjoy it to the fullest!
Best wishes to you.. and thank you for coming by and saying hello.
Tamara :)
Today I'm just being lazy, haha. But sometimes...that's when my best creativity is inspired. Loved this post and thoughts.
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