The Friend comes into my body looking for the center, unable to find it, draws a blade, strikes anywhere.
-Rumi
Reminds me of the current state of American politics, somehow.
the shape of trees
Ebb and flow.
Wake up call from a wrong number. Dream interrupted – about a boy I know from high school, distinctive eye glasses. Thoughts brimming over with triumphant pictures of men embracing, giving thanks with words I do not understand. Feel the meaning, though. Grateful for the 34th Man. Savoring a cup of joe. Ashamed of recent mortgage foreclosure news. Delighted with an unexpected sunny day. Angered by reports of bad behavior at a company where I worked 17 years. Embarrassed by past actions. Lamenting short memory of cats, Americans. Raising the bar. Considering what to have for breakfast. Actually, lunch.
Ebb and flow.
Connection.
Video transcription can be a tedious task, and an important one nonetheless. The more detailed and complete video transcription is, the better an accomplished writer/producer can craft the material into a compelling story.
With this work, I make the connection. Find the reason. Write the story.
“When you smile at people … they smile back,” says Janice Brown, a patient at The Art of Dentistry in San Diego, CA, “and you establish a connection with other people in a way that I never knew was available for me.”
More than 25 years ago, a horrible bike accident knocks out all of Janice’s teeth, and she endures emergency dental and facial surgery. The doctors do the best they can at the time, but it leaves her with a smile she is not comfortable with.
It changes her life. “I had planned to be a broadcast journalist. But because I lost my smile, I thought I should become a lawyer,” she says. “I thought I should use my brain.”
Her experience at The Art of Dentistry changes her life once more. “A number of friends have said to me, what have you done lately? Have you lost weight? Did you color your hair different – they don’t know what’s happened…
…And all I do is smile at them.”
This is it! The reason to believe. And I write the story.
A walk in the clouds.
Walking is my preferred exercise. There’s nothing like opening my front door to a bright clear day, stepping out to feel the sunshine and traveling around the neighborhood on foot. I enjoy these kinds of walks just about every day — uh, no. Wait.
I forget where I am. I live in the Northwest now. Sunny days don’t always apply.
For months, I struggle with the dark break of day. The sun don’t shine, I don’t walk. It’s a little embarrassing, really. Like I can’t handle change. Won’t adapt, get my groove back. I stress over these kinds of excuses just about every day …
Until I make one small shift in thought. One click-through to a new visual. It all comes together then, opens my front door.
Now, I take
a walk in the clouds.
Photo: Cloudy day in the Northwest, by Marty Muniz
Today’s feedback.
Just received approval on my most recent project: a branding video package for The Art of Dentistry in San Diego, CA.
“Great job…spectacular team work…wonderful creative…To get such an incredible response from such exacting, particular clients is certainly an event to be celebrated. Wish you could have been there to hear the reaction in person – it was over the top! So is your work. Looking forward to the next challenge. Thank You.”
-Kim Edstrom, Produce Your Life
Together, executive producer Kim Edstrom, shooter/editor John Dusenbery and I, as senior writer/producer, craft a variety of marketing solutions for corporations and small businesses. This project is no exception.
And it’s certainly wonderful to be appreciated so wholeheartedly by my buds! I’m very grateful to be working with such fabulous team members.
Thank you back.
The creative practice.
Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about . . .
Say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.
-Rumi
Creativity is personal. Emotional. Mindful. An act of faith. Ideas can germinate for an entire growing season or spring to life in an instant. Aha.
I find the creative process to be a creative practice. One I partake in daily.
I’m a writer, a producer, a brand manager, a marketer. I help others by crafting their ideas into inspiring communication – which usually involves my own ideas, too, because my particular talent is building from nothing. Sometimes.
My creative practice not only engages my mind, but my heart. Always.
Sageland Creative 