By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
Inventor Thomas Alva Edison once said, “the best thinking has been done in solitude”. That quote is true. But what if the best place to find solitude is in a crowded room? That happened to me this weekend. We've reached the final episode of Season 5 of this podcast. It's hard to believe that I'll be posting my 84th full episode of this show, when initially I would have considered 20-25 episodes a success. As with the previous season-ending episodes, I like to reflect on where we were at the start of the season, and the journey to get to where we are right now. And once I get on the record all of the successes and failures, I can sign off and take a much needed one-week vacation from recording. I like to devote the weekend prior to the date of publication to write the script for the upcoming episode. My plan is to start writing on Saturday morning and finish by Sunday afternoon. It doesn't take me over 24 hours to write a script, but I build in a cushion to account for any possible legitimate delay, or procrastination. So, it's no wonder that I was less than thrilled to be reminded that we accepted an invitation to attend the annual “Eating Meeting” of my favorite 12-Step home group. This is the one that I credit with helping me quit smoking over ten years ago. And this is the same group that sent a lot of prayers upstairs when I was sick in 2019. I protested as to why it wasn't convenient for me to attend the event. I kept the protesting to myself, because the bottom line was that I really wanted to isolate, which sounds insensitive. Not that I was dealing with any emotional issues, but that I wanted to spend the entire weekend by myself doing my own thing. The number one top-of-mind excuse I made for not wanting to go was that it would take up too much time out of my day. And the weekend is the time I schedule to write my episode scripts. Well, I typically budget between eight and twelve hours to delay and/or procrastinate. A typical 12-Step meeting is exactly one hour, and an “Eating Meeting” lasts about 2 ½ hours. It takes me about 15 minutes to drive from my house to the meeting place and 15 minutes to drive back hour. If my math is still accurate, that's a total of three hours out of my budget. A mere drop in the bucket. The second excuse I used was that they didn't need anything from me. Sharing experience, strength, and hope is reserved for group members and only concerns addiction-related issues. So, I would have to sit idly by while they do their thing. Before they pass the donation basket around the room, we are reminded that visitors and newcomers should not make a contribution. I think that is part of their tradition that each group is fiscally self-sustaining. Again, I have to sit it out. My third excuse, and I'm now embarrassed to say, was that I just wanted to isolate myself from people. It's not that I don't like my fellow man, it's just that I didn't feel like having a relapsed of my foot-in-mouth condition that is in remission. What I failed to remember was that every time I attend a 12-Step meeting, I leave with a creative spark. I don't have any addictions that I'm aware of, but I always feel much better after the meeting than I do before I arrive at the meeting. Before we headed out to the church (more on that later), Celia got a desperate call from one of her friends from the group. Apparently, their PA system conked out, and they needed a last-minute replacement. I just happen to have one just collecting dust in my garage. So, I brought mine. One of the highlights of an “Eating Meeting” is a speaker sharing their story in a 45-minute format. This meeting was no different. While I can rarely relate to the issues that brought the speaker to the rooms of AA, being there always gives me a sense of solitude where I can reflect on my issues, even though I'm in a crowded environment. This time, I started reflecting on my list of New Year's Resolutions for 2023. As you may recall, I only made seven resolutions compared to the fifteen I made for 2023. One of them seemed unreachable. And that was the simple act of attending a church service or two. It just didn't seem likely for that to ever happen again. In my solitude, while the speaker was doing her thing, it hit me. There I was, at a meeting held in a church. At the meeting, the attendees prayed twice. The first one was the Serenity Prayer at the beginning of the meeting. The second was the Lord's Prayer at the end of the meeting proper. They forgot to say grace before serving the food, but nobody's perfect. They collected an offering, although as a non-member, I was encouraged not to contribute. However, because they accepted my offer to use my PA system, I'm counting that loan as an in-kind donation. With all that said, maybe I can cross off my list "attending a church service." According to the New International Version of the Bible, Matthew 18:20 says, “for where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” For the record, the crowd was much greater than the two or three needed for God to show up. The crowd was close to 100 members, families, and invited guests. My spirit was filled by the time everything ended. I was inspired to hurry home to write this script, as well as the trailers for two other podcasts that I am creating for release later this year. All of that by carving out just three hours from my procrastination budget that otherwise would have spent isolating. As for some of my other resolutions, my side hustle dream has morphed from doing voice over work into establishing my podcast network as a serious venture. Instead growing my YouTube channel, I've decided to post live performance videos by some of my favorite artists as part of my new blog. I'm still on track to reach my goal of 10,000 total podcast episode downloads in the Fall of 2023. As I've said countless times in the past, by keeping my expectations low and my acceptance high, it's possible to accomplish just about anything. Parting Shots Season 5 is now in the books. I'll start production on a new season of “Much More to Say” after taking a short break. There are still some things on my resolutions' list that I haven't accomplished yet. But I will make an effort to attend more of those meetings, if I'm still invited. One thing for sure is that I will make a conscious effort to distinguish solitude from isolation. Whether I'm glad-handing or quietly sitting by myself, the fellowship that comes with gathering together for a good cause is always a good thing. God bless and I'll see you in a couple of weeks! Today's Quote “There is a difference between solitude and isolation. One is connected and one isn't. Solitude replenishes, isolation diminishes.” Dr. Henry Cloud – American Author
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By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
In my last episode, I quoted American poet and author Dorothy Parker, who once said that “creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.” That's all good, but how can I make that work? My creative juices are flowing. In fact, the ideas are gushing out. However, I feel that if I don't control the flow, things will soon dry up without me accomplishing much of anything. Then I remember the quote I read last week from Maya Angelou, that said... “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” But I still have to get a handle on the process. To get a handle on that thing we call creativity, let's first understand what it is. Creativity is a skill that can be learned and developed. With few exceptions, it isn't a special gift that's attainable only by a few imaginative souls. Creativity is not necessarily inherited and has no unique genetic basis. In fact, a recent study showed that only about 22% of creative performance is related to the genetics we are born with. So Nature is in the minority. The other 78% of creative performance is a result of Nurturing. So, in other words, creatives are not born, they're created over time and in the right environment. Encouraging someone who shows a creative spark, no matter how small, goes a long way to instill confidence and the will to imagine the possibities of what could be. Is there a link between creativity and intelligence. According to research dating back to the 1960s, high creativity requires at least above-average intelligence. Though, it is not a sufficient condition for high creativity. But, people with above-average intelligence tend to be more creative. Being inquisitive is one trait found in most creative thinkers. Being willing and able to question what is provides you with a jumping off point to eventually get to what could be. Being adaptable is another trait. Pastor and author Charles R. Swindoll said that “life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” To me that means that one way to react is to try something different. Sometimes, taking a different route can take you to a better destination. Being passionate about something makes it easier to immerse yourself in the process of discovery. It also sparks imagination, and the determination to try to either create something new or improve upon something that already exists. Being creative doesn't come without it's share of challenges. Like writers, other creative types suffer from blockage. One of the main reasons for creative block is the fear of imperfection. In past episodes, I delved into the link between perfectionism and procrastination. Creative blockage is a little worse, where it can actually prevent you completing the project or pursuit. To combat this challenge is to use the tools you've learned to actually create without fear of failure. That's because creative people tend to work very hard at their craft. My creativity comes in waves. Right now, I'm on a creative roll. But just a few months ago, I found myself going through the motions. Luckily, I was able to power through the perfectionism/procrastination cycle. But the creativity just sitting there like a dead car battery. I needed help. For that help, I looked no farther than writer Wanda Thibodeaux. In an article for Inc. magazine, she provided a checklist of tasks for me (or you) to follow:
Fortunately for me, I wasn't suffering from a lack of ideas. It's just that the ideas were not flowing logically. They were valid, but more chaotic than creative, which was beginning to take it's toll on me. The late American Advertising Executive Alex Faickney Osborn said, “it's easier to tame a wild idea than invigorate one that has no life in the first place.” So it wasn't hopeless. So, how was I able to tame my wild ideas into a creative package? Well, I sort of cheated. I didn't pouch anyone's ideas, but I did look to the creative people in my life for inspiration. By starting with their finished product and reverse engineering their processes, I was able to put guard rails around my wild ideas. Take my brother, Mike, who told me that he recently finished mastering his latest CD. I didn't realize that this one will be his seventh release. The amazing part of this is that each one was self-financed. I believe he had a few distribution deals along the way, but for the most part, he did everything on his own. And did I mention that he plays jazz? That means that before he had to wrestle with the creative financing needed to record, mix and master the album, he has to start by composing a number of challenging songs to put on the album. Then there's Maci, a jazz vocalist in the Philadelphia area and a Facebook friend of mine, who posted that she just finished mixing her latest album. I don't know if she has a deal or if the project is self-financed. But I do know that she's is a very creative singer who is always working hard at her craft. Both Mike and Maci have all the traits of very creative people mentioned earlier. They also have the courage to challenge conventional practices by expending the effort, energy and funds to release their projects on a physical format, the CD. It is my sincere wish that each of them gets a positive return on their investments. And I can't forget Larry, an amazing jazz guitarist, also from the Philadelphia area and another Facebook friend of mine, recently picked up his very first product sponsorship! He has released a number of albums, with more to come! I became a fan of his during COVID, when he performed a number of “safe” outdoor gigs. Mike also told me that his teenage son Mekhi, aka Kaboom, has become quite the Contemporary Gospel musician. That's amazing in and of itself. What's even more impressive is that he's already made a name for himself as a jazz drummer. Before he turned 15, he appeared on a number of recordings and has played in some of the most prestigious jazz venues in the country. Now, most people would be perfectly content to rest of their laurels, but not my nephew Mekhi. He's taking the risk and stretching himself musically, and I couldn't be more proud of him. My brother asked me if I'd be willing to check out some of Mekhi's music, since I'm considered to have the ability to really “hear” music. I told him that it would be an honor, and can't wait to hear it. And that brings us back to my buddy, Pete. I devoted last week's episode to highlighting just some of his many achievements in the music business. I also devoted past episodes to update on his recently-completed voice narration project. I don't know the status of the project and where it will eventually land. But I've heard it, and soon you will hear it and enjoy it as well! Parting Shots Using the feats and accomplishments of the family and friends I just mentioned as examples, I now have a template on how to be creative without going off the rails. Since I don't suffer from a shortage of creativity, all I need to steal from them is their methods for getting the job done. And since I don't consider myself a freeloader, I will use at least one of my recent creative ideas as a form of non-monetary compensation for the use of their discipline. On my new blog, I will acknowledge the accomplishments of the creative people who have helped tame my wild creativity in the monthly New & Notes edition. That's the least that I can do to say thank you for their unwitting generosity. Today's Quote “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” - Albert Einstein
By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
The inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell once said, “when one door closes, another one opens”. Simply put, that means that even though you've lost an opportunity to do one thing, an opportunity do something else will appeared. I can certainly attest to that! We're nearing the end of Season 5, so I'd like to look back at my list of 2023 New Year's Resolutions. I'm going to do a more in-depth recap of my successes and failures next week. For now, let's say I'm pleased with how things are going so far. As you may recall, Item #6 on the list was to try to accomplish what I needed to get done for free, if at all possible. If not, then for as inexpensively as possible, without cutting too many corners, of course. Taking a quick peek at the other resolutions, I'm glad that committing to most of them requires little to no cash layout. That can't be said for my Amazon shopping cart. At one point, I had over two dozen items just a click away from ending up on my doorstep. Now, I'm not one who typically makes impulse purchases. And that's a good thing, since I sometimes have an out-of-control “wanter” gene. When the shopping discipline collides with the binge wishing, I end up feeling helpless and frustrated. Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “do what you can, with what you have, where you are”. That saying fits my buddy Pete to a tee. In fact, he is known in the music industry as someone who can fit ten pounds of poop into a five-pound bag. When Pete started his record label, Magna Carta, in 1991, he had no experience running a label and even less money. His specialty was promotion, booking, and artist development. Label operations was supposed to be handled by his partner. Without naming names, let's just say that his partner collected record companies like kids of his generation collected baseball cards. That, and his desire to be a big player in the industry made him an interesting character, just to put it mildly. To get the venture off the ground, they got an investment of just $50,000 from a European distributor. For that seed money, Pete and his partner promised to produce five albums in two years. Soon it became clear to Pete that his partner wasn't going to provide much help, other than the daily conference calls about nothing. The investors started to worry that Magna Carta wasn't going to deliver on their promise. And failing to deliver would have destroyed Pete's hard-earned reputation in the industry. But he didn't let those obstacles stop him. With his back against the wall, Pete responded by teaching himself everything he could about being a record company executive. And what he wasn't able to learn, he just made it up as he went along. Legally and ethically, of course. Not only did he survive, but he also thrived! He quickly paid the European investors back. In addition to delivering the five albums originally promised, he went on to produce over 160 more records! Some of them reached sales in the millions. And he accomplished that without incurring a penny of debt! When he finally sold company, he got a fair price in a buyers' market. Nearly all of the releases have turned a profit, which is almost unheard of in this business. The new owner is making a killing through paid digital downloads. And the best part of all of this is that the records are still standing the test of time, musically and artistically. The records on his small label have outshined albums on major labels by major artists that cost thousands, if not millions, more to make. One of the countless quotes by American poet and author Dorothy Parker, and my personal favorite is, “creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.” When I find myself wishing that I had money in order to buy this, or create that, I think of what Pete pulled off. Back in 1991, making a single record for $50,000 was a tall order. Making five of them was almost unheard of, unless you were making a bunch of demos to submit to a bigger label. By comparison, the dollar amount I place on things my wanter wants is very small. My problem is when I convince myself those wants are somehow needs and/or must-haves. That just leads me to a place where my creative juices stop flowing. To fix that, all I need to do is calm myself down, remember all of the inspirational anecdotes that I've read or have been told. Add a dash of my past successes, no matter how small, and presto... the dreamer comes out to play. Parting Shots For me, now is such a time. The juices are flowing. And since I'm now retired and my time is mostly my own, and dreaming is free, I'm going to allow the flood gates to open and the ideas to come gushing out. The great wordsmith Maya Angelou said... “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” So, if I monitor my expectations and my acceptance, it's possible to accomplish just about anything. And if I happen to fail, it won't be from a lack of trying. And because my time is mine, I'll just wake the next day and try again... or try something else! Today's Quote “Starting today, I need to forget what's gone, appreciate what remains, and look forward to what's coming.” - Anonymous |
About the HostKenneth E. Boone, Sr. is a writer, podcaster, music lover, sports enthusiast, and retired accountant. Archives
May 2024
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