The Creative Journey… | The Dreaming Cafe

The Creative Journey to Self-Discovery… A story told with words and pictures

The Beginning:

The Beginning

For years you have felt unsettled, like there is something you needed to do. You feel called to do something but are unsure of what. You read books, attend seminars, finish your degree, and do all the homework. You work hard to build relationships, raise your children, support your family, build a career, and manage your health and your finances. But, something is missing. As you begin exploring you discover a mountain. Why didn’t you see it before? You decide to climb the mountain. You don’t know why, but she calls to you. Your friends and family call you crazy and try to talk you out of it. But, you refuse to listen to them. You are going to do this. You have to. You can’t explain it to anyone. You can hardly explain it to yourself. You just know, in your heart, you have to at least try.

First Steps:

First Steps

Starting out it is hard going. You are out of shape, if you ever were in shape to begin with. You are often overwhelmed, tired, and not sure you can keep going. You question what you are doing and why. You carry with you a small notebook, a journal, filled with notes, ideas and pictures to remind you why you began this journey. You meet other travelers on their own journey and are motivated to continue.

Feeling Good-Moving Along:

Feeling Good-Moving Along

You are moving a little better now. You are in better shape than when you started and have been taking notes along the way. You feel energized and motivated, like nothing can stop you. You joyously greet other travelers and the people who call the mountain their home and you enjoy the time you spend with them. You are eager to learn and absorb new information like a sponge. After you have visited and rested for awhile you say your goodbyes and continue on your way, confident and full of hope.

The Test:

The Test

Uh, uh. Once back out on your own an unexpected rainstorm hits. Your seek shelter in a cave. Cold and wet you do your best to put into practice what you have learned. The next day the sun is shining, but the path is blocked. People told you this area was prone to rock slides. You slowly navigate the narrow trail leading to the top of the mountain. You can longer see its’ peak for it is now shrouded in clouds. That’s okay. You need to focus on where you are putting your feet, not the top of the mountain. You slow down. The air is thinner, too. Everything you have learned up to this point is being put to the test. You question everything you are doing and at times feel like quitting. But, something is calling you. Something greater than yourself. You meet fewer and fewer other travelers the higher you climb. And, despite the fatigue and doubt you feel, you have a strange sense of innerpeace and calm.

Back on Track:

Back on Track

You are in pretty good shape now. The landscape has opened up and you can see your way to the mountain top. You are moving at a fairly good clip and have adjusted to the altitude. You can easily find shelter and food when you need it. You slow down to enjoy the beautiful vistas.

Top of the Mountain:

Top of the Mountain

You’ve reached the top of the mountain. You feel good. You feel really good! You take a deep breath and savior your accomplishments. Climbing the mountain was hard, harder than you ever thought it would be. But, looking around it was worth. The view from the mountain top is breathtaking. You feel peaceful and at one with the Earth and all its’ inhabitants. After awhile you get a little bored. Life is great, but you feel a little unsettled, like you should be doing something. You feel a familiar calling.

Starting Over-A New Adventure:

Starting Over-A New Adventure

As you watch the sun set, you realize you are surrounded by beautiful valleys and that there are entire mountain ranges still yet to explore. You smile. A sense of anticipation and excitement stirs deep within you. Tomorrow you will begin a new adventure. That mountain to your left looks mighty interesting. As you drift off to sleep you notice that the moon seems to be smiling down upon you and it looks like the stars are winking.

Note:
These images were made by starting where I am, with what I have.

I have no graphics software and I am only just beginning to explore my creativity through art.

I started with an idea and brought it to life using my imagination, a desire to draw and a desire to express myself with more than just words. I started with a child’s sketch book and a pack of student oil pastels. When I finished drawing the mountains, I scanned them to my laptop using a HP printer/scanner. I used Microsoft Paint to draw stick people. I inserted the mountain drawings and MS Paint stick people into a Microsoft Word document. Then I used a ‘snippet’ tool to basically take a snapshot of the MS Word document and convert each combined picture into jpeg file that I could insert into my blog.

It wasn’t easy, but it was a learning experience. And, I am starting where I am, with what I have, traveling my path, making my journey, and taking one step at a time towards my dreams.

How about you? Do these words and images remind you of your journey? By starting where you are, with what you have, what can you do today to begin your journey and move closer to your dreams?

Every journey begins with just one step. What step will you take?

The Friday Post: A Virtual Gallery Crawl » The Art of Dramatic Living

July 17, 2009 | 3:06 pm

[...] Dempsey illustrated her post, The Creative Journey, on The Dreaming Cafe. I love her message: start where you are with what you have and take one [...]

Sandy

July 12, 2009 | 1:16 pm

Thank you, Rachel. I am happy you enjoyed this article and that is was helpful.
Sandy

Rachel

July 12, 2009 | 10:16 am

Sandy, this is great and just what I needed to read today. Sometimes I think too much about the overall project (the book) and need to just narrow my focus to the chapter I am working on at the time. This line really struck a chord with me:

“You need to focus on where you are putting your feet, not the top of the mountain.”

Where I am putting my feet could be the chapter – or it could be a paragraph within that chapter or even a sentence within the current paragraph!

Thank you for this reminder.

And, by the way, I love the simplicity of the illustrations. I think that adds a lot to the message of the piece.

Terri Belford

July 9, 2009 | 11:05 pm

Sandy, this post is great. If only we all knew that the trick is in starting where we are. So many beginners fear the creative process, but we are all beginners at the starting point.
thanks for sharing this inspiring journey

July 6, 2009 | 2:09 pm

Thanks Kirsten. It is a constant reminder though. Glad you enjoyed the ‘All or Nothing’ article this week.

Kirsten

July 6, 2009 | 1:53 pm

Sandy,
This is beautiful. I love the emphasis on process. So many people get stuck on the myth that creativity is something you either have or you don’t. Creativity is the process of taking one step at a time into an unknown territory. Bravo for starting where you are with what you have!
I enjoyed your All or Nothing article in your newsletter too. It made me laugh when I recognized myself in some of the examples.
Kirsten