Comments on: Consume Or Create – Our Choice

By: TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 12 May 2023 03:43:18 +0000

In reply to Peter Leslie.

Peter,
You said it well. ‘Chip away’ is also the phrase I use for my process.
Thanks!
Best wishes,
Tony

By: TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 12 May 2023 03:42:22 +0000

In reply to Susan Davis. Great point, Susan!

By: Peter Leslie

Peter Leslie — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 02:19:40 +0000

For me it depends on where I am in the cycle of creating: am I casting around for new ideas, am I developing ideas that I’m already excited about, am I arranging/recording them or doing detail work? My situation is complicated by not having a permanent setup, having to get the gear out and assemble it and strike it at the end, which doesn’t help with motivation! Also I’m a parent which is another hurdle.
But I chip away. For me it’s about patience, discipline, building momentum and believing in the process based on experience. I still consume, read, listen, watch, but am careful to never let the candle go out. I’m currently on a roll, the latest album of songs is closer to the end than the beginning, but there’s still a lot to do. And more songs will undoubtedly appear along the way, which may force their way on, and others off. More work. But I love it.
Patience. Discipline. Chip away when I can. Keep imagining the day when I listen to the completed version for the first time (I’ll be sick of it by then!). Keep that momentum going. Works for me. Sort of!

By: Susan Davis

Susan Davis — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:22:37 +0000

Reminiscent of the Kabbalistic notion of the two forces in the world of mekabel (consuming, receiving, taking), and mashpia (exuding, giving, producing).
The thing is, we need to do at least some consuming in order to be able to produce (we need to eat and drink, burn fuel to stay warm, cook, take in and observe what’s around us culturally in order to produce meaningful artistic work, etc…)…….The trick is finding just the right balance. Lifelong challenge.