Emily P Freeman taught me these words: makers and managers. She writes: “There are two types of schedule, which I’ll call the manager’s schedule and the maker’s schedule. The manager’s schedule is for bosses. It’s embodied in the traditional appointment book, with each day cut into one hour intervals. You can block off several hours for a single task if you need to, but by default you change what you’re doing every hour.”
She shares on her podcast, you can listen to it here, “That brings us down to one reason why all this matters so much. Because whether you’re someone who keeps a maker’s schedule or a manager’s schedule, the truth is we all have a need to create space to make…”
I am naturally a manager. I love my calendar. My to-do list. My get it done checklist. Accomplish this and that. Focus goals sheets. I excel at finishing! My left brain is so tired at times that my right brain wanders off into the garden to play with the birds by itself.
I do need to create. To play. To make. I hunger to make, design, build, write…
I have been hearing God whisper lately: be creative. Be.
I do write, but I don’t play with words like I used to. I journal but I rarely free write. I downloaded Procreate and purchased an Apple pencil, but didn’t learn how to use these tools.
That all changed a few weeks ago.
I intentionally nurtured the maker part of my soul. And I am beginning to feel more balanced. Restored. To be who God called me to be. Both a maker and a manager. To use both sides of my brain and my spirit.
I remembered what Mechthild of Magdeburg wrote:
I, God, am your playmate!
I will lead the child in you in wonderful ways
for I have chosen you.
Beloved child, come swiftly to Me
for I am truly in you.
Then I shall leap into love.
I am learning the Procreate tool on my iPad and creative lettering with my Apple pencil. Not too good yet but learning. I am intentionally blocking time off time in my calendar to practice this new skill. I am taking classes on Skillshare platform to learn more. Yes, I am quite the beginner, but am trying.
I will share next week about my experience with the spiritual practice of Soul Collage.
I spent a weekend with Brother Mickey McGraff and his inspirational artwork and message. Check out his work here. I even drew a butterfly and a flower. Me! Who failed scissors in kindergarten, drew free handed. Ha! Imagine that!
Nurturing the creative side of life comes in different forms: storytelling, theatre, writing, art, poetry, stained glass, pottery, dance, music, and more. It is learning to be ok with imperfection. It is finding joy in play and in movement with color and with our fingers and our bodies. Creativity expresses deep emotions that surprises us, heals us and helps us discover new insights about our journeys. Creativity is life-giving and a gift from God who is the Creator of all creativity.
Making and less managing has refreshed my soul and reawakened my spirit.
How are you being creative right now?
When my granddaughters come for an overnight, somehow my inner child surfaces without even being beckoned. We’ve collected objects from nature and tried to draw them, painted with watercolors and acrylics, colored paper doll clothes, made gingerbread houses–in August, and more. On Pinterest I’ve collected numerous art-and-craft ideas to try. You’ve inspired me, Jean. My adult self needs to block some time off the calendar and practice being creative!
children certainly bring out the child within us. At my retreat I giggled as I played and even found bubbles and took them with me on a walk. Used them to bless each turn on the labyrinth. What fun! But as adults you are right we need to be intentional so the child sneaks back into hiding!
I certainly had to use both parts of my brain when I was teaching, Jean. If I didn’t keep an agenda in my planner for everything under the sun, I would have been totally lost. The creative side came in with making mundane information come alive for students. These days, at least since late January, I’ve had trouble focusing on anything for long, even reading. This will pass in time, I’m sure, as Danny continues to improve, not just physically but mentally from his ordeal. I have to go everywhere with him, including shopping for groceries, as he is nervous about being alone. I certainly can’t blame him, but it’s changed our trajectories in major ways. I’m praying that this too will pass.
Blessings!
I like that image of making routine things come alive – good image, Martha! I agree with you though it is hard now to focus so things like lists and calendars do help me focus more Glad to hear Danny is improving. that has taken lots of your energy I am sure. You are both in my prayers.
thank you jean….such good reminders to loosen our grip on perfection and trying to manage our grown up lives in tightness..having been a preschool teacher for over 35yrs..creativity and the freedom to create without judgement created such joy and self accomplishment in these young learners. i learned to enjoy making mistakes and embracing imperfections …again..its the process not the product…
peace
preschool teachers usually know how to play! I find myself too focused on perfection at times and forgetting the fun parts. This summer has helped loosen up the muse within my heart again
I am both. I love lists. I love crossing things off the list. So much so that if I do something not on the list, I add it so I can cross it off! And I am creative. My mind is always busy with, “I wonder what would happen if …” So I set out to see. But once I accomplish it, I have no desire to maintain it because dozens of other “I wonders” have called to me. Right now, as I look out my window I see the new call: the propane tank and a useless space that once was unseen behind the chicken coop. Now that I no longer live in front of the coop, but behind it, that mess of a space is calling. I wonder if it could become a rock garden? Maybe that stack of old tires could become planters for hostas. What could I paint on that tank … pithy words? A funny face? A garden of flowers? What will be the new view from my window? I’ve started a list of the steps to make this all happen.
It is all balance isn’t it? What I find in my writing I get too focused on getting it done and less playing with the words and having fun and letting the words flow. I need both. This summer has reminded me of that. More free writing!! Your creative visions makes me smile!