Keith Jennings | Keitharsis

From Gifted to Gift Giver (Part 2 of 2)

2012-02-23T00:03:42-05:00

I love the art and act of writing.

I have always loved it.

I love the feel and sound of a pencil scratching paper.

I love the lingering smell of its cedar on my fingers.

I love the callus on my middle finger from decades of gripping writing instruments.

I love the click of the keys as I type.

I love watching the cursor zip left to right across the screen, leaving a trail of digital ink.

I love trying to find the right words.

I love starting.

I love starting over.

I love finishing.

I love having an idea arrive at the worst possible place and time and scrambling like a junkie to score something on which to capture it.

I love seeing which ideas and lines connect with readers. And which don’t.

There is something deeply spiritual and raw about the whole experience.

When I began writing creatively, I wrote whatever I wanted.

But something changed the moment I decided to share my writing with others.

In that moment, my role and responsibilities as a writer shifted from craft to community. It shifted from being “gifted” to being a gift giver.

Which meant that my writing was no longer mine.

It was no longer for or about me.

I believe this shift creates one of the greatest obstacles for aspiring writers and artists to overcome.

I’ve certainly struggled with it.

Writing out of a love of writing is a completely different animal than writing to be read. Because in giving you must give up the thing you offer. You must let it go.

But what you receive in return is far more valuable.

Think about how you go about choosing a gift for someone.

You don’t go out and get them the gift you most want. You get them the gift they most want, right?

The best gifts are intimate. Sacrificial even. They reveal your care and attention, as well as how well you know the recipient.

Many writers and artists I encounter don’t approach their work in this way—as if it is a gift to be given to another person.

They still see their work as theirs.

They treat their creative work as if it were about them.

But the moment we choose to share our work with others…

The moment we choose to give through the gifts we’ve received…

…that is the moment we become gift givers.

…that is the moment our work is no longer about us.

…that is the moment that separates aspiring creatives from those that achieve lasting impact.

You have been given the ability to create and connect.

You are gifted.

What are you doing with this gift?

Are you giving away that which you most want or that which others most need?

(Photo by Brandon Warren on Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.)

Keitharsis is a blog for creative types. My hope is to help you stay unstuck & take creative risks. Please tell your friends about this little nook on the web. Save time and click here to receive Tuesday through Thursday posts via email.

Word-in-a-Word Wednesday: "Blessing"

2012-02-22T01:00:00-05:00

Today's word is "blessing".

The word within it is "sing" - blesSING.

A blessing is a request for favor and protection. It also describes the receipt of these, as well.

I will never forget visiting the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees in Guangzhou, China. My daughter received a blessing from a Buddhist priest. It was delivered as a chant and was a very moving moment.

Also...when I "count my blessings" or feel blessed, my heart sings.

On that note, I want to tell you what a blessing it is that you take time out of your very busy day to read these strange little essays I write.

I don't take your readership for granted. I know I won't always deliver what you need, but know that I work hard to inspire and challenge you in fresh ways.

I'm curious how these two words connect in your life?

If this is the first time you are reading a "Word-in-a-Word Wednesday" post, click here to learn how it works. And click here to read all the posts so far.

Keitharsis is a blog on creativity, roots and the portfolio life. It is written for creative writers and artists. New essays are published each Tuesday and Thursday. Creative exercises (like this) are offered on Wednesdays.

From Gifted to Gift Giver (Part 1 of 2)

2012-02-21T01:30:00-05:00

When you hear the word “gifted,” what associations spring to mind?

Someone who is talented?

Intelligent?

Successful even?

That's Andy Warhol chatting it up with Tennessee Williams in the photo. They were gifted, right?

Do you consider yourself to be gifted?

I think our use of the word “gifted” is bastardized.

To be gifted should simply mean to be given something.

And we’re all given things. Experiences. Knowledge. Aptitudes.

Yet few of us see ourselves as gifted.

Why?

As a creative person, you’ve been given something unique and special.

You’ve been given the ability to receive ideas and inspirations that the rest of us either don’t see or can’t access. Inspirations unique to you.

And you’ve been given abilities and tools to take those ideas and inspirations and craft them into something that can be passed onto and experienced by others.

You are gifted.

YOU are gifted.

Want to know why you are gifted?

You are gifted so that you can give.

How does this make you feel?

How does this change your relationship with your creative work?

How does this change your role and responsibility as a writer, artist or creative?

(Let’s explore that last question in depth this Thursday.)

Space & Silence

2012-02-16T01:13:00-05:00

Your greatest fear is your greatest ally.

It appears to be nothing, but it is everything.

Here it is:

* I have hosting duties at a national conference today (Thursday), so I will respond to your comments, email and social media posts tomorrow (Friday).

Keitharsis is a blog for writers, artists and creatives. New posts appear each Tuesday and Thursday. Creative exercises are shared on Wednesdays.

Word-in-a-Word Wednesday: "Message"

2012-02-15T01:13:00-05:00

Today's word is "message".

The word within it is "sage" - mesSAGE.

A message is a communication to someone that can't be contacted directly.

A sage is a very wise person.

It's not coincidence that messages from sages continue to travel through space and time to future generations.

And it's no coincidence that messages from sages remain sources to which we return for intellectual, emotional and spiritual enlightenment.

Do you communicate with others as if you could, one day, be a sage?

Why or why not?

If this is the first time you are reading a "Word-in-a-Word Wednesday" post, click here to learn how it works.