Barbara Hambly

"Imagination is what has driven human progress since very early times."

— Barbara Hambly

American Novelist

1951 - 

If you can imagine it, you can make it happen.  Often writers imagine the future and inspire others to create that future.  Do you remember Dick Tracy and his wrist watch that he used to communicate?  Not much smaller than the cell phones we use today.  Or how about Star Trek and their communication devices?  What is your imagination creating today that will impact human technological progress tomorrow?  How about 1984 and Big Brother?  We now have the capability of keeping track of people through the GPS in their cell phones.  Who is watching you?  Cultivate and celebrate your imagination.  

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Rafael Yglesias

"The most fun thing about being a writer is that everything is interesting."

— Rafael Yglesias

American Novelist

1954 - 

 

Actors have the opportunity to become people whom they are not.  They are able to explore characters and personalities.  The same is true of novelists.  They are able to become people other than themselves.  They are able to explore what they might do if they were put in difficult circumstances.  Being a writer or an actor is fun and exciting.

Do you enjoy your creative work?  Are you having fun painting?  Is your writing interesting?

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Benjamin Mays

"It is not a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream."

Dr. Benjamin Mays

American Author / Educator / Minister

1894 - 1984

We are born with dreams and hopes that change and grow over the years.  When I was in the seventh grade I wanted to be an architect.  As a highschool sophomore I committed to being a preacher.  While in college I dreamed of being a poet.  In my mid-twenties I wanted to be a theater director.  In my thirties I dreamed of being a speaker.  In my forties I struggled with writing a novel.  Some dreams take us farther than others.  Some dreams dig their claws into our souls and don't let go.  Other dreams float away like hot air balloons.  Don't be afraid of your dreams.  They give us hope.

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Stephen Wilkes

"For two weeks after shooting the first group of pictures of Ellis, I was obsessed.  I couldn't sleep, I couldn't erase the buildings from my mind.  So I went back, many times, every chance I could.  What began as a one-hour editorial assignment became a five-year passion."

— Stephen Wilkes

American Photographer

 

What are you obsessed with?  What keeps you awake at night?  What haunts your waking dreams?  As creative leaders what makes us great are our obsessions.  They define who we are and whom we become.  Encourage, honor and celebrate your obsessions.

Photos of Ellis Island

by Stephen Wilkes

(Check out his book.)

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Victor Hugo

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."

— Victor Hugo

French novelist, poet

1802 - 1885

I am amazed at how music more than painting and literature can touch people at a much deeper level. Filmmakers understand the power of music. Try watching a film without the music and you will understand. Unfortunately, paintings and novels don't have musical support. I am waiting to read a novel with a CD of appropriate music.

What impact has music had on your creative process? Do you write or paint to a certain type of music? Do you listen to only one type of music or are you eclectic? What music pumps you up and makes you want to dance? What music calms and heals you?



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Al Hirschfeld

"Life isn't a science.  We make it up as we go."

Al Hirschfeld

American Artist

1903 - 2003

Creating art is not a science, no matter how many times people attempt to build computers that can write poetry or paint pictures.  Creativity cannot be reduced to binary numbers programed into a machine.  The human experience cannot be reduced to mathematics or science.  We create and recreate the world as we go.  Even when the world seems to be against us, we somehow survive and thrive.  Don't worry about following all the rules or what others expect and demand of you.  Be yourself.  Find your own way.

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Henri-Frederic Amiel

"Learn to limit yourself, to content yourself with some definite thing, and some definite work; dare to be what you are, and to learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not and to believe in your own individuality."

Henri-Frederic Amiel

Swiss Philosopher/Poet

1821 - 1881

Sometimes the world we live in can be overwhelming.  There are too many choices.  Which direction should we take.  If I do this, then I will miss out on that.  Have you ever felt that way?  Paralyzed by too many choices?  I have.  After graduating from college, I didn't know which way to go.  I was afraid to choose because I might miss something, so I did nothing.  When we come to a fork in the road, we have to make a choice.  And when we take that path, we need to follow it to the next fork.  And again, we must make a decision.  But no one decision will destroy us.  I firmly believe that each path we choose ultimately leads us to where we are supposed to go.  In the end we become who we are supposed to be.

Amiel is also talking about strengths and weaknesses.  People tend to focus their attention on their weaknesses and try to improve them.  I believe we should focus on improving our strengths.  We need to accept our weaknesses and learn to navigate around them.  Be the person you were meant to be.  Accept your individuality and your originality.

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