In the Miles of Aisles live recording of Circle Game, Joni Mitchell introduces it with a story about why she loves music as an art form: She proclaims, "No one ever says to Van Gogh, 'Play A Starry Night again, man.'” This imagery can also speak to our attitude about life, especially as we get older.
Life and by extension, your business, can be viewed as an interpretive song or a canvas. Too often people approach everything in life as a problem to solve rather than an art form to express.
When a musician writes a song, the melody remains unchanged, but each artist can uniquely interpret and then express this melody, through voice, instrument, and emotion.
The interpretation of our life “song” can be a daily unique expression of the melody. Our life canvas, too, can be our unique interpretation of events and emotions. As the artist for either medium, we get to choose our daily expression. Rather than paint-by-numbers or playing a song technically perfect, we get to evaluate, and re-interpret our life canvas.
If you keep putting dark colors and thick paint on your life canvas to shield yourself from the beauty of what wants to express itself, your art may lack the emotion, energy, and passion of an exciting or thrilling life. When you play your life song, play with your heart, not your fingers.
And for your business, too, remember that this is an interpretation of a certain melody—not a problem to solve but a creative endeavor to enjoy.
Just like no two sunsets are alike, neither are two days of your creative life. If they feel that way, change your medium of expression.
Acadian Rhythm is a series dedicated to helping professionals create infinite possibilities and balance body, mind, and business. For more information, please visit: www.nicolemignone.com or https://www.facebook.com/AcadianRhythm/