I love this idea of self-discovery through witnessing and co-creation. As a writer primarily working solo at the moment, I often forget that all creative works are collaborations—at the very least with an audience, with history, and with time. Often, they involve direct collaboration with other creative people as well.
Filmmakers I know (who often have hundreds of collaborators) talk about this all the time. There's the film you intend to create, the one you make with the crew, the one you shape with the editor, and later still, the one that emerges with the audience, time, and history. Each version is distinct, yet all of them exist.
I also appreciate this idea of entering a flow state through surrender. But that can feel risky for those of us taught to protect ourselves. We develop patterns and internalize messages that block flow (e.g., "I will be attacked if I take up too much space," or "My ideas are never appreciated"). On the other hand, anyone who easily enters a flow state also needs a good editor. Not every idea needs to be shared; not every idea is our best.
Letting things unfold, going with the flow, ideally allows us to see things as they are, rather than through the screen of our conditioned thinking. Collaborating with diverse communities seems key to eroding those screens and expanding our understanding of our current limits.
One way to define both intelligence and creativity is as the ability to see clearly what is happening right now and to respond flexibly, rather than relying on a rigid set of responses. The more we can enter a flow state with others, the smarter and more creative we become.
And I love your language of "collaboration." That's exactly right. It's an alluring illusion-- hyperindividualism and isolated actualization, but it's so true that every person, action, and idea is woven into the fabric of humanity that spans the fourth dimension of TIME. How awesome!
And you're for SURE right about needing bumpers around the flow state. Reps help, as do loved ones.
Thanks for your thought provoking content and creative sharings, musings. Some of it feels over my head (dibs to you) tho i am approaching the completion of 6 decades on the earth. I know "some" things about life, and recently realized i didnt really "figure life out" until I was about 52. But i love quantum physics and the/your researched historic references to how "happiness happens". When you reach my age you'll be astounded at how fast time moves. "Youth is wasted on the young!" I forget who said that!? Oscar Wilde?
Let me share one thing my older brother said a few years ago: (He works for Local 802 in NYC) He said and i quote, "We are all reasonably unhappy and that's the best that we can hope for!" Now His wife is from Russia and her mother (Viktoria Schweitzer) was a well known writer in Russia in her younger years; she passed two years ago at 90. Her book is called Tsvetaeva. The reason i mention that is cuz while i am VERY fond of my sister-in-law, she has a somber take on life often (perhaps grounded and suitably realistic? Idk..!) and knowing my brother all these years his comment about happiness doesn't feel like it came from him; but perhaps from his wife, (Her father was a political prisoner), Safe to say that given that experience and the understanding of Russian history, maybe "a little somber" is good, helpful to all of us from time to time.
But that said, What i landed on just the other day regarding his comment was the possibility that perhaps the opposite can be true (or truer) as well!? Why not conclude or espouse instead, "I'm UNREASONABLY HAPPY, and that's all i could ever hope for!" Do you get my drift? Your reference to "Happiness Happening" invokes for me a shift in consciousness and made me think of what i shared above. If we are super present (and i am am student of meditation over the last 30 years with a sporadic Vipassana practice today) then we can be "true receivers of that happiness happening", no? Am I making any sense at all?
Thanks for your deep dives Emma. And i love that you rehearse a good amount and then surrender, trusting that all will be provided by spirit...... and some available stream of consciousness....which i believe is available to us all if we can be fully here and receive. We just have to learn to fully trust the pregnant possibilities that are here now and in every moment;
JUST LET GO INTO THE FLOW!!!
Anyway, I applaud you! Until next time. Blessings, Andrew
Andrew, I always love and appreciate your insights. Thanks so much for this thoughtful response. Your story about your brother's partner is powerful. It is aligned with the "glass half full/half empty" truth that perspective shapes reality.
It's been said many times and I'll say it again here, happiness can be a choice. Obviously there are horrific things that justifiably bring strife and despair, but at a certain point (at least in our sphere in America), one must choose to be UNREASONABLY happy. It is this choice that signifies the step into real liberation.
LIBERATION, libations, and co-creation.
So YES you ARE making sense, and keep making it-- eventually you'll have dollars!!!! $$$$$$$$$$
“The pursuit of happiness “ will not lead to happiness. Let happiness happen serendipitously!
PREACH MAMA
THE ORIGINAL MUSER
MOTHER MUSE
I love this idea of self-discovery through witnessing and co-creation. As a writer primarily working solo at the moment, I often forget that all creative works are collaborations—at the very least with an audience, with history, and with time. Often, they involve direct collaboration with other creative people as well.
Filmmakers I know (who often have hundreds of collaborators) talk about this all the time. There's the film you intend to create, the one you make with the crew, the one you shape with the editor, and later still, the one that emerges with the audience, time, and history. Each version is distinct, yet all of them exist.
I also appreciate this idea of entering a flow state through surrender. But that can feel risky for those of us taught to protect ourselves. We develop patterns and internalize messages that block flow (e.g., "I will be attacked if I take up too much space," or "My ideas are never appreciated"). On the other hand, anyone who easily enters a flow state also needs a good editor. Not every idea needs to be shared; not every idea is our best.
Letting things unfold, going with the flow, ideally allows us to see things as they are, rather than through the screen of our conditioned thinking. Collaborating with diverse communities seems key to eroding those screens and expanding our understanding of our current limits.
One way to define both intelligence and creativity is as the ability to see clearly what is happening right now and to respond flexibly, rather than relying on a rigid set of responses. The more we can enter a flow state with others, the smarter and more creative we become.
And I love your language of "collaboration." That's exactly right. It's an alluring illusion-- hyperindividualism and isolated actualization, but it's so true that every person, action, and idea is woven into the fabric of humanity that spans the fourth dimension of TIME. How awesome!
And you're for SURE right about needing bumpers around the flow state. Reps help, as do loved ones.
Flow orgy?
Thanks for your thought provoking content and creative sharings, musings. Some of it feels over my head (dibs to you) tho i am approaching the completion of 6 decades on the earth. I know "some" things about life, and recently realized i didnt really "figure life out" until I was about 52. But i love quantum physics and the/your researched historic references to how "happiness happens". When you reach my age you'll be astounded at how fast time moves. "Youth is wasted on the young!" I forget who said that!? Oscar Wilde?
Let me share one thing my older brother said a few years ago: (He works for Local 802 in NYC) He said and i quote, "We are all reasonably unhappy and that's the best that we can hope for!" Now His wife is from Russia and her mother (Viktoria Schweitzer) was a well known writer in Russia in her younger years; she passed two years ago at 90. Her book is called Tsvetaeva. The reason i mention that is cuz while i am VERY fond of my sister-in-law, she has a somber take on life often (perhaps grounded and suitably realistic? Idk..!) and knowing my brother all these years his comment about happiness doesn't feel like it came from him; but perhaps from his wife, (Her father was a political prisoner), Safe to say that given that experience and the understanding of Russian history, maybe "a little somber" is good, helpful to all of us from time to time.
But that said, What i landed on just the other day regarding his comment was the possibility that perhaps the opposite can be true (or truer) as well!? Why not conclude or espouse instead, "I'm UNREASONABLY HAPPY, and that's all i could ever hope for!" Do you get my drift? Your reference to "Happiness Happening" invokes for me a shift in consciousness and made me think of what i shared above. If we are super present (and i am am student of meditation over the last 30 years with a sporadic Vipassana practice today) then we can be "true receivers of that happiness happening", no? Am I making any sense at all?
Thanks for your deep dives Emma. And i love that you rehearse a good amount and then surrender, trusting that all will be provided by spirit...... and some available stream of consciousness....which i believe is available to us all if we can be fully here and receive. We just have to learn to fully trust the pregnant possibilities that are here now and in every moment;
JUST LET GO INTO THE FLOW!!!
Anyway, I applaud you! Until next time. Blessings, Andrew
Andrew, I always love and appreciate your insights. Thanks so much for this thoughtful response. Your story about your brother's partner is powerful. It is aligned with the "glass half full/half empty" truth that perspective shapes reality.
It's been said many times and I'll say it again here, happiness can be a choice. Obviously there are horrific things that justifiably bring strife and despair, but at a certain point (at least in our sphere in America), one must choose to be UNREASONABLY happy. It is this choice that signifies the step into real liberation.
LIBERATION, libations, and co-creation.
So YES you ARE making sense, and keep making it-- eventually you'll have dollars!!!! $$$$$$$$$$
Til next time dear Andrew :)