Ten Commandments for Creating

My parents were from the Old Country and devoutly religious.  I was raised as a Roman Catholic and I still take opportunities to walk into a cathedral, listen to organ music and inhale the incense.  Ahhh, I love  the smell of Frankincense on a Feast Day.  If pushed I can probably still recite the Ten Commandments.   They serve as an important and enduring moral compass for a people.

(photo from mylittlepieceofcyberspace)

I like the idea of a set of Principles to guide behavior but I never liked all the ‘Thou SHALT NOTS’.  So here is my own list of  ‘THOU SHALTS” for my creative process.

I. I shall take my creativity seriously enough to fund it with time and money.

II. I shall seek out kindred spirits who can teach and support me.

III. I shall practice ‘respect for the newborn’ and give myself permission to be less than good as I begin a new activity.

IV.  I shall cultivate habits that support my creativity.

V. I shall recognize that creating is not a linear process and appreciate that I may not always be in control.

VI. I shall enjoy myself as often as possible because happiness contributes to my creativity.

VII. I shall recognize that showing up is my work to do (not letting myself off with excuses that aren’t true).

VIII. I shall speak to myself as kindly as I would to a dear friend who is trying something new and unfamiliar.

IX. I shall allow myself to be inspired by other creative people knowing that there is an audience for everyone.

X. I shall stand in awe.  Creativity is everyday.  Creativity is divine.

Now, think about your own values around the Creative Process.  What might be your Ten Commandments for Creating?