Mythos & Marginalia

life notes; flaws and all

j.g. lewis

original content and images ©j.g. lewis

a daily breath...

A thought du jour, my daily breath includes collected and conceived observations, questions of life, fortune cookie philosophies, reminders, messages of peace and simplicity, unsolicited advice, inspirations, quotes and words that got me thinking. They may get you thinking too . . .

cloud songs

    Kismet, naturally or unexpectedly,
holds sway on this or any other day.
       If we choose to notice.
       If we permit ourselves to linger
a moment or three in a transitive state 
between elements of darkness and bright, 
           morning quells emotions and
   disruptive thoughts we once embraced.

03/26/2024                                                                                     j.g.l.

Mondays are just young Fridays

Dented, bruised, scuffed up and circumstantial, the imperfections are obvious.
   It goes past superficial.
   Seeking more than a cover-up, healing is necessary.
   Hope is less than present but needed, so I try to do what I need to do. Each attempt to repair the damage that is done — the day-in-day out flaws that have become ingrained in my psyche — is another step.
   It takes effort. It takes encouragement, and it takes understanding even if I can’t completely comprehend the history that led up to the marks on the façade.
   I need to do the work.
   At times trying is the best I can do when I know I want to do better.

03/25/2024                                                                                                  j.g.l.

the weather still

‘When’ is a question greater than ‘why’.
   Important it is to know ‘when’ something will happen, rather than ‘what’ or ‘where’, because ‘when’ always involves a wait (that’s ‘when’ the ‘why’ kicks in).
   Our patience is tested.
   ‘When will we get there’ or ‘when is it time’? Both questions of our youth, at least, questions of mine.
   Spring has arrived, but ‘when’ will it come? The weather still indicates winter is hardly done.
   How can we wait, or ‘why’ is it we must? You might only find the answers ‘when’ you are ready to trust.

© 2022 j.g. lewis

I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.

j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.

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Nothing Else Matters

Posted on February 7, 2018 by j.g.lewis // 2 Comments

You can criticize, analyze, even monetize your earnest efforts, but why you do it is not as important as simply doing it.

It is not about the medium, or the method; it’s not even about the finished product or the process. When it comes down to it, the purpose of creating is to create. That’s it. That’s all. That is everything.

Each of us has an innate need for satisfaction and accomplishment. Nothing is better for the psyche or elevates spirits more than participating in something worthwhile. Unfortunately, we can often end up unchallenged in a chosen profession, or underappreciated in a dead-end job. In times like this you look for something to stay motivated.

This is when you get creative.

I’m not going to define creativity. I will say it is not all about art. In business you can demonstrate creativity by crafting an effective proposal. Creativity is also labelled as efficiency when someone arrives at a new solution to the same old problem. Come budget time, politicians will always find creative ways of presenting deeds or deficits (we might even use creative accounting in our own tax returns).

There are many ways to look at creativity, but what counts is how you use your imagination to broaden the mind and, ultimately, your life.

Creating something, especially the act of creating, takes you to a place more intense than what we generally allow. Our bodies and brains work differently. We use the right side of our grey matter when we attempt something artistic, or musical, or literal. The left side is more for finance, and routine; the meat and potatoes, bring-home-the-bacon, feed-the-mortgage type of stuff. These are mundane tasks often completed thanklessly and worthlessly.

It seems logical, but it is not. It is nearly impossible to figure out.

There are so many factions of creativity: culinary skills, visual or performing arts, prose, watercolours, pottery or sculpture, and music. It could be cross stitch or crochet, anything that gets your mind clicking and blood boiling. It is everything that stokes that feral imagination.

Creativity cuts to the core of your being, right down the marrow of the moment when nothing else matters and everything counts.

Find something you are passionate about, then do it. Better yet, do something you don’t think you can do, and surprise yourself.

Get creative.

Photo: Bonsai sculpture by Lenore Amy

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2 replies on “Nothing Else Matters”

Thanks for this insightful post J.G. really enjoyed reading it. My creative passion is writing poetry, although like you have pointed out I try to stay creative with whatever I am working on and this helps me stay positive and in the moment 🙂

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