As I understand the theory behind the process, acupuncture allows energy to flow more freely along one’s meridians. Modern physical explanations referring to stimulated internal electrical currents and oxygenation aside, the traditional Chinese imagery is one that resonates with my imagination. My creativity can be likened to a not very classical river that however it moves and meanders is nonetheless subject to being blocked.

The clutter of my workspace has finally become such a distraction that my creativity had become stifled, dysfunctional even. I wanted to work on several projects but I held back from pulling out yet more items that would add to the disarray that had already moved to other areas and living spaces. I tried attacking it all at once.

What folly!

After several false starts I zeroed in on one representative of all this disorganization: my desk top. If I could get that cleared off might that not be the impetus to tackle other areas? Today I did tackle it in earnest and after clearing it, dusted it. And now? Now I can see the old wooden surface! Huzzah! Next are my smaller work tables and they are scheduled to be finished tomorrow.

Yes, the key is scheduling. And not scheduling too much. True the desk top took more than I anticipated but while I was doing it I also noticed other things that I need to get to and I noticed them in such a way as to be able to break them down. For example, as I put away some sterling silver scrap I found piled in a dish I thought, “Oh, I have to inventory my silver findings drawer.” Not, “I have to do my inventory.” See the difference?

Small steps. Now, after cleaning off only one surface, I was able to attack some old repair projects and start some new ones for my Valentines earrings designs that had been only vague musings in my thoughts.

Tomorrow it’ll be those small work tables, vacuuming and then more jewelry and who knows, maybe I’ll get more done on that Orchid painting.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 5:51 PM and is filed under Artist at Work. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.