Fun a Day: “You’re the only one who can be you”

Last updated on: January 24, 2016 at 11:33 pm by Tom Swiss

Fun a Day: “You’re the only one who can be you” 2016-01-24T23:33:31-04:00 Tom Swiss

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Continuing my Fun A Day project, with some thoughts from Mister Rogers about creativity.

January 9: “The Tree In The Courtyard”. Digital photo inkjet print and watercolor.

Recently someone posted a set of captioned screenshots of a scene from Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. (I saw it via Facebook user Iveri Levine, but I’m not sure if she’s the original poster.) Here, Rogers shares in important truth about creativity:

Do you like to draw with crayons? I’m not very good at it. But it doesn’t matter. [Rogers starts drawing a stick figure style house and person.] It’s the fun of doing it that’s important. [Indicates the drawing.] Now, I wouldn’t have make that if I’d just thought about it. No matter how anybody says it is. It feels good to have made something. The best thing is that each person’s would be different. In a way, you’ve already won in this world because you’re the only one who can be you. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

This is well worth keeping in mind when exploring the creative spirit.

January 10: “it’s astonishing to consider”

it’s astonishing
to consider
what is going on
right now
in this present moment

ions moving across membranes
neurotransmitters in synaptic gaps
the workings of your brain
generating this present moment

it doesn’t reflect what you saw
the man in the orange coat waiting at the crosswalk
the reflections of books in the window
who could believe these were
tightly knit together
with the electrochemistry of nerve cells?

how could we get to the bottom of this?
trace the interactions between
the experience and the physiological correlates?

cut open the branch of the cherry tree and
you will not find the blossoms
and yet in the spring, there they are

cut open the skull and
you will not find love and fear
and yet when the patient awakens, there they are

January 11: “Gem Pile

January 11: “Gem Pile”. Digital photograph

January 12: “Daruma Waits”

January 12: “Daruma Waits.” Acrylic on mat board.

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One Thousand Punches, One Hell of a Bird

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February 9, 2016 Fun a Day Wrapup: Artistic Budding At Imbolc

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