Disciplined or Creative?

[Nicky]

I have been thinking a lot lately about discipline versus.... oh, the wild abandon that can accompany creativity. I have a whole lot of wild abandon and not so much discipline. And I'm thinking that I do not want to "discipline" myself into acquiring more discipline, either!
I know that some people have the opposite problem... they have a hard time just letting go and letting ideas, etc., flow freely from them.
Which is easier for you all.... "letting things loose" or "reining them in"?

[OWiseOne]

Hi Nicki,

As a therapist, my experience is that most people are tied up and bound by their ideas of discipline, and job is to help them "let go" of the bonds and find their soul which is the ultimate creator. There is certainly a case to be made for the finding a balance between the two, which is what most of us strive for...but I have to admit, I am with you...discipline is not as much fun, and as I get older I have less desire to discipline myself....I feel truly free in my spirit when I can just go with the flow. I think that might come with age as well...one just gets more comfortable in their own being, and worry less about "fitting in" or pleasing others. Being in the "wild abandon" or creative flow stage I personally feel the most alive.
Just my thoughts. Thanks for sharing yours.

[Merri Hiatt]

I'm a "wild abandoner," too!! =) Of course, after I wrote that I immediately thought, "Is that true, Merri?" Ya see, I spend a good hour or two every night writing on whatever book I'm currently working on. That is discipline. I never really think of it that way, though, because it is such fun and I desperately miss it if for some reason something comes up and I choose to do something else, rather than write. I don't feel nearly as fulfilled or as if I'm doing what give my soul flight.

When it comes to painting and other kinds of art, I throw out all the rules and just do what comes naturally from my spirit. It's always mine that way and feels much more real than following some rule book of how things "should" be done.

Great post, Nicky! =)