6 Views on Why We Need Nature

by Sue Heavenrich

Whenever I get stuck in my writing, I head outside. I tuck my camera in my pocket and tell myself that I’m just going out for a breath of fresh air. I might walk down my road, noticing how low the sun is in the sky, or the way snowflakes rest on dried rosehips.

I might wander around the yard, discovering brilliant green moss gardens. Or I’ll pull on my garden boots and head to the garden – which sometimes turns into a three-hour minivacation as I discover bees and flies, watch birds, notice buds opening. I’ve been known to turn a quick one-mile walk into an hour exploration.

photo by Sue Heavenrich

My excuse: being outside, in nature, is Good For Me. And there’s research to back it up. Time spent in nature – whether it’s a hiking trail or a patch of green in your backyard – can perk up your brain, decrease stress, make you happier, and increase your creativity. 

Add in some exercise, and you’ve got a winning recipe for breaking through tiny creative blocks. Not only is walking good for your health, it stimulates creativity and improves one’s mood. According to a study at Stanford, people’s creative output increased 60 percent while walking.

I know that when I come back inside, I feel more creative. So I asked a few friends whether they took nature breaks.

They are essential, says snail scientist and writer, Marla Coppolino. “If I've been struggling to figure out how to write or draw something, the "a-ha" moments come when I step outside and meander through my field and connect with the grasses, insects, and whatever else I meet. It re-awakens the parts of my mind that solve problems. Maybe part of this just comes from relaxing, but I think it's more of the connection I feel.”

Illustrator, Annie Zygarowicz spends time watching clouds with her husband. “When we’re driving, we’ll pull over to observe and photograph the cloud formations, their color, density and texture.” Cloud photos and memories inspire their painting and poetry.  

When author Kathy Halsey feels stuck, she heads out to a garden. “Being surrounded by growing things, the sounds of birds and the wind  make feel hopeful and refreshed. My head clears. I feel relaxed, less stressed, and able to sit and work again.” Spending quiet time outdoors has renewed her interest in writing haiku, and she shares her Saturday haiku on twitter using the hashtag #HaikuSaturday. In turn, writing haiku has made her more observant of nature. 

photo by Leslie Colin Tribble

Christy Mihaly sometimes takes her manuscript for a walk. “Usually I walk with my dog through the woods. Sometimes I focus on a particular story problem. Other times, I'm just taking a break and letting my mind wander. Either way, every time, it gets my brain out of whatever rut it’s in, and gives me a fresh start when I return to work. Often the universe sends me new lines for a poem as I walk.”

One such walk resulted in a picture book. Strolling by a hayfield and watching the balers operate, Chris mused, “Storing summer in a bale…” Those thoughts grew into HEY, HEY, HAY! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make them)

Photographer and nature writer Leslie Colin Tribble finds that being outside is the best therapy for feeding the creative part of her life. “The act of movement while being outdoors sparks my mind into focus and clarity. Putting one foot in front of the other clears my thoughts and gives me greater vision about a project - allowing my mind to wander into the story I’m writing. Nature photography sharpens my perception, and I love stumbling across the perfect vignette of rock, lichen, wildflowers and soil that I can capture with my lens. Focusing on the small things in the immense landscape where I live reminds me that the tiniest detail is important in creative efforts.”

Later, when she looks back on her photos, she feels the sense of place all over again – bringing back physical and emotional details she can incorporate in a story.

So this week, head outside and see what you can discover. And if you are looking for some weekly nature breaks, check out my Wednesday posts at Archimedes Notebook.

Summer Writing

By Suzy Leopold

    Summertime is for reading, writing, exploring, and discovering. It includes a somewhat slower pace with outings, travels, and vacations.

    Many educators and students are returning to school this month. Others will hear the school bell ring in September. Soon students will read and write; learn and grow.

    Let’s create a poetree—a cinquain about a tree.

Welcome to the Illinois Prairie

    A cinquain is five-line poem inspired by nature. 

    Here are the steps to write a cinquain poem:

• Line 1: One word title, a noun that identifies your topic
• Line 2: Two adjectives that describe your topic 
• Line 3: Three -ing verbs that describe action
• Line 4: A phrase that describes something about your topic 
• Line 5: A noun that is a synonym or another way to name your topic

    Think about the activities and adventures you participated in during the summer. What memories did you create? Perhaps it was fun in the backyard, a visit to the lake, a museum outing, or even a hike through the forest.

Weeping Willow

    Sharing my example:

Tree

Green, tall

Growing, Cascading, Swaying

Many birds like to nest

Willow

A Robin’s Nest in a Willow Tree 

    If you create and write a cinquain poem, share it in the comments section.

    Happy reading and writing.

Creativity Stuck? Get Unstuck! ~ Patricia Toht

I've struggled with creativity during the pandemic, and I know I'm not alone. Many friends have admitted the same. 

One author that I turn to when I'm stuck is Austin Kleon. 

All of his books focus on creativity. STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST is about getting started.  SHOW YOUR WORK is about sharing and being discovered. And now his latest book, KEEP GOING, provides strategies to stay creative in good times and bad.

His writing is interspersed with lists, illustrations, and quotes. This quote from Anne Lamott speaks to me:

"Almost everything will

work again if you unplug

it for a few minutes --

including you."

Unplugging by spending time in nature is always good for my creativity. Won't you join me? Step outside and perhaps you'll shake some writing loose!

July in Northern Michigan
Photo by author Alice McGinty

GETTING "UNSTUCK" - SPARKING CREATIVITY By Eileen Meyer

 

Have you felt your creativity sapped at some point during the past year with the pandemic? What can you do to help ignite a creative spark for writing or illustrating work? How can you think differently when you need to solve a difficult plot problem, address writer's block, or come up with a fresh idea?

Let’s first consider how the brain works. Neurons are the brain’s building blocks—those nerve cells send and receive signals along the brain’s pathways. When you feel stuck in a rut, your brain might actually be stuck on a neural pathway that you keep following over and over again.  What can you do? Create a new neural pathway to make new connections. Harvard Professor of Psychiatry John Ratey notes, “A person who forcibly changes his behavior can break the deadlock by requiring neurons to change connections to enact the new behavior.” (see A User’s Guide to the Brain) Your brain will greatly benefit from experiencing new sounds, sights, smells and even tastes—and as a result, be energized!

 

So how can you boost your creativity? I posed this question to fellow creatives online to discover what they did to help them become “unstuck.” Their responses were wide-ranging and intriguing.

 

GET MOVING!

Patricia Hruby Powell doing "The Charleston"  

Many writers and artists noted that physical activity was key for them. Former professional dancer and author Patricia Hruby Powell finds that any form of dancing (tap, tango, you name it) will help her to break through an impasse. “Nowadays, I do a zoom tap class on a sheet of plywood in a wide spot of my hallway. Tap develops my brain to work in a certain way. To learn steps. . . . I try to get into the body-mind-soul of the people I write about. I can become them by moving like they move, I think. At least I try to.”  

Artist Laurie Barrows shared that when she is out hiking, she always takes a sketchbook with her to jot down notes, draw or play with ideas. Being in different and beautiful surroundings helps spark a new thought process. Many people noted that simply walking outdoors was key for them to let their mind relax and wander, forming new connections to help solve a problem. Others mentioned that cycling, swimming, and working out helped them jump start new ideas. So if you’re stuck—get your body moving!

  

ENGAGE IN OTHER CREATIVE PURSUITS

Nancy Sanders with one of her lovely quilts!

Author Nancy Sanders uses quilting as a way to break through writer’s block. “Before I sit down to sew, I jot down my writing goals for this creative break. For example, if I’m writing a segment of rhyming text and am stuck on a rhyme, my goal is to write the next stanza. Then as I pick up my fabric and get to work on my current quilt project, I allow my brain to relax and play with the problem I was struggling with. Many, many times, within minutes my writing task is accomplished and back I head to my writing desk. Something about the creative process let’s my brain relax, not feel the pressure I was demanding of it a minute ago, and I can break through that dreaded writer’s block.” Here’s Nancy with one of the quilts she loves making.

 

Author Katey Howes also likes working with textiles and finds weaving on a small loom helps spark new ideas. Writer Jaimie Franchi likes planning the creative use of plants. She finds caring for them in her home garden is the perfect answer for her.

 

Jessica Henderson, Maria Marshall and Sherry Roberts all use photography to stimulate their creativity and writing. Middle school teacher and author Sherry said, “Sometimes I just need to think and I find that going on a walk and taking photos helps. This creative outlet has led to a new contract where I am the author / photographer for a non-fiction series!”  Congratulations to Sherry—her solution for getting unstuck actually created a brand-new opportunity!

 

Inspiration photo - Julie Phend 

Author Julie Phend  takes photography one step further as she finds inspiration from nature and then creates her own art in a watercolor journal she started this year. “When I take my daily walks, I snap a photo of something that captures my attention, and I try to recreate it in a painting. I often find myself creating a poem or quoting a

Watercolor Jrnl. Entry - Julie Phend

snippet of poetry inspired by the painting. This opens my mind to new possibilities and inspires me to notice things in a different way.” Fabulous point, we are seeking to stimulate our brain and look at things in new ways!

TRY A SURPRISING SUGGESTION

A few writers swore by this solution—which totally took me by surprise! What is it? VACUUMING! Elaine Kiely Kearns, Joan Slone, and Tara O’Dowd love to problem-solve while running their vacuum cleaner. This physical, yet rote activity frees up their brains and the noise actually blocks out other distractions. Tara noted, “I’ve had enough epiphanies while vacuuming that expectation may play a role. I also assume I will solve any problems in my life as soon as the vacuum starts.” Bonus for these writers– a clean house PLUS a new idea!

 

So try something different or new to help your brain get unstuck—and have fun doing it! Get out there - dance, quilt, weave, take photos, sketch, try chalk art on your front sidewalk or even run your vacuum cleaner to solve a difficult plot problem, address writer’s block, or come up with a fresh idea.

 

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS . . .

I’ll leave you with one final option.

Author Natalie Rompella finds great insights in an unlikely place—in the shower! So much so that she even has a handy-dandy waterproof notepad her husband found for her. (YES, these do exist and Natalie is a big fan!  Search for “waterproof notepad” to find great options from your favorite online retailer.) Engaging in an activity like taking a shower doesn’t require a lot of effort, so our mind is free to wander. And creativity and relaxation have a strong link, so it’s worth a try. Who knew you could simply lather up and come unstuck! Just be sure to jot down your great idea . . . Happy creating!

 

 

 

 

 

Read, Write, and Create with Tracey English

by Suzy Leopold

It's back to school time!. It's a new school year with a new beginning.

Colored pencil creation
by Suzy 

It’s time for creatives to begin the school year with fresh ideas.

Lives are busy and days are filled with demands. Doodling, drawing, painting, crafting can calm a racing mind and revitalize a weary body. Spending time creating offers healing benefits, new perspectives, and a sense of pride in your writing accomplishments. 

In April, I participated in a 100 Day Creative Project. During the challenge, I met many creative individuals on-line as we shared daily creations on Instagram.

I am pleased to introduce a creative friend, a British artist and author:

Tracey English.

Tracey English 😊

Q1: I understand your parents were both artists. As a child, perhaps you were surrounded by creativity. Did your parents encourage you to be curious and create?
My brother and I were constantly surrounded by creativity, my dad had a home studio, even when my parents divorced we always spent weekends with my dad who could normally be found working away on projects. Not sure they encouraged us as such, I think it was just something that was in our blood. My brother is a film director and producer now a day. My mum taught watercolor painting to adults but was also always producing her own work as well. I can't imagine not being creative.

Q2: How would you describe your lovely, whimsical creations? What inspires you? Where do you find ideas? Please expand on your quote, “I’m an illustrator who loves to create images by snipping designs from hand coloured tissue paper.” 

ABC Creation
by Tracey English

I would describe my work as fun, playful and filled with color. I’m inspired by nature, the environment and pattern, I love the way things grow and interlock together. I originally just worked with color tissue paper but over time found it too restrictive, so I now use all sorts of hand colored and found papers to create my images.

Tracey's journal
with painted paper

Q3: During the month of October 2018, you celebrated not one, not two, but three book birthdays! 

1. PANDA CLAUS CHRISTMAS ABC ACTIVITY AND STICKER BOOK, 2018. 

2. PANDA CLAUS CHRISTMAS 123 ACTIVITY AND STICKER BOOK, 2018. 

Both are published by Bloomsburg Activity Books. 

The third title published by Quarry Books, is a landscape painting and mixed media art. It guides the reader step-by-step.

3. PAINTED BOTANICAL COLLAGE: CREATE FLOWERS, SUCCULENTS, AND HERBS FROM CUT PAPER AND MIXED MEDIA

Please tell us more. Share the experience and the process of writing and illustrating two children’s early learning books. Tell us about your journey to publication for the collage how-to guide.

It was a lovely surprise to be asked to illustrate Panda Claus and Painted Botanical collage both projects came from being seen on social media. For Panda Claus I was commissioned to only illustrate it, the publishers put together the text and gave me guidelines to what they required. 

Painted Botanical Collage was really just left down to me, the art director had seen some of my floral studies from the 2017 100 day project and that triggered off the idea for the book. It was lovely to create a step my step guide and I hope it has encouraged a few people to try out botanical collages.

Greeting Cards
by Tracey

Painted paper
by Tracey

Q4: In addition to your published books, share additional creations you design and sell.

I have an Etsy shop where I sell tea towels, posters and greeting cards that I produce myself, it is great to be able to sell direct to the general public. I also work through an agent where I license designs for various clients and commissioned pieces with art directors.

Q5: As a creative myself, I enjoy reading, writing, and creating. For the first time, I participated in The 100 Day Creative Project in April. Tell us about your experience with the 100 Day Project. Who can participate? What is the challenge all about?

This is the third time taking part in the 100 Day Project, this year I created 100 collaged postcards. It is a fun project, which helps to motivate you, and to enable you to discover new avenues. It’s definitely not easy and takes a fair bit of discipline. For me this year it helped me develop some new ideas and a new body of work.

Anyone can take part, you just need to think of a goal and a reason, it helps to share things on line and become part of the community that surrounds it, they in turn help you stick to your goals and remain focused.

Danish Houses
by Tracey

Q6: Share your advice and words of encouragement for aspiring writers, artists, and illustrators. Do you have suggestions or tips for writers and illustrators 

“under construction”? 

To stay motivated and inspired I think they are the two most important things, and also not to be afraid of hard work, it is a tough competitive industry that often isn’t very well rewarded. But if you are passionate about being creative, then hopefully good opportunities come along. It is always a bit of a roller coaster ride, lots of highs and lows. I took a long break while my family grew up but I am extremely happy to have returned to such a bright, vibrant community.

Finally, How can we connect with you on social media? Where can followers of the GROG Blog find more of your work?

Check out more of Tracey's creations and follow her on:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

To purchase Tracey's whimsical art work, go to her Etsy Shop and Jehane Ltd sites.

Tracey's Studio

Thank you for your inspiration, Tracey. Thank you for creating beautiful, whimsical art and books filled fun, creative activities. 

For additional information to participate in future challenges, search online. You'll find various opportunities: Creative 100 Day Project

Here's what I created during the #100 Day Creative Challenge that began in April 2019. 

I don't read write, write, create, discover, and explore because I have to. I do it because I want to. 

Read
Created with watercolor
by Suzy Leopold

#100 Day Creative Challenge
by Suzy Leopold

More #100 Day Creative Challenge
4 X 6 Postcards
by Suzy Leopold

Mediums used:
acrylic paints, colored pencils, watercolor,
painted paper, scrapbook paper
by Suzy Leopold

As a writer, you too, can incorporate creative concepts of art discovery in your stories. The benefits of creating may bring new energy and inspiration to your stories.

Consider adding art forms to your writing journey because you want to.

Read. Write. Create.
Watercolor
by Suzy

A Creative Life: Book Recommendations for Writers

by Suzy Leopold

When something makes you want to do something and when something gives you an idea about what to create, this is inspiration. Writers need inspiration. Clever ideas create sparks in a writer's mind along with feelings of emotion.

And this book does just that.

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Riverhead Books
2016

The instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING
BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Many may recognize Elizabeth Gilbert as the author of EAT PRAY LOVE.

In BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR, Elizabeth Gilbert "digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective on creativity, offering potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration".

Inspiration is needed to be a writer. This book is inspiring.

Elizabeth Gilbert writes about the mysterious nature of inspiration. She offers attitudes, habits, and ideas for living a creative life. She encourages creatives to look within for the strange jewels.

The book is divided into six sections and includes:
Part I     Courage
Part II    Enchantment
Part III   Permission
Part IV  Persistence
Part V   Trust
Part VI  Divinity

Enjoy listening to the first chapter, Hidden Treasure pages 3-7 of Part I, Courage.

And if you want more, here's more to read as a pdf.

Discover what you were meant to do. Hope you feel curious, encouraged, and most of all inspired to live a creative life.

Writers will find inspiration in this book, too.

THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein

2016
W. W. Norton & Company

THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS
FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein

Perhaps you recognize Cheryl B. Klein as the Editor Lee & Low Books.

"Insightful, enlightening, and practical, The Magic Words is a book that belongs on every writer's shelf. Loaded with concrete examples and specific strategies, it's likely to end up dog-eared and well worn--that favorite book on craft that writers revisit again and again with each new project."
Kate Messner, author

Do you note my many Post-its?

It's like a master class inside a book. It's like a handbook with useful tools for writing children's and YA fiction.

The author guides writers on a practical writing journey from writing principles, crafting a strong story, and publishing.

Take a few moments to check out her excellent web site, blog, and many resources. You'll note additional book titles Cheryl authored along with two picture books.

WINGS made its debut in March 2019 and is illustrated by Caldecott winner, Tomie de Paola. Read more about this book in a dual interview with Cheryl and Tomie. The book is written with one dozen rhyming words: wings, clings, flings, stings, wrings, dings, things, brings, springs, sings, rings, and zings.

WINGS
by Cheryl B. Klein
Illustrated by Tomie de Paola

In September 2019, look for THUNDER TRUCKS. Cheryl partnered up with Katy Beebe are the a dual author team of this book. The bright, bold illustrations are by Mike Boldt.

THUNDER TRUCKS
by Cheryl Klein & Katy Beebe
Illustrated by Mike Boldt

While we know creating a picture book is a team effort between author and illustrator, have you ever considered writing a book with a writerly friend? The idea is something to consider.

"If you have a writer friend whose strengths complement yours,
AND you can manage your respective writerly egos,
consider drafting a book together to use both of your types of genius."
~Cheryl Klein

The idea is something to consider. Just ask fellow GROGgers Christy Mihaly and Sue Heavenrich. Together they wrote and co-authored DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIAMTE
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
by Christy Mihaly and
Sue Heavenrich

May these books inspire and encourage your writing journey.

Read, write, and create
Every day

###

From the desk of Sherri Jones Rivers:

Jillanne Hoffman

is the winner of:

NO BEARS ALLOWED 

By Lydia Lukidis

Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

From the desk of Kathy Halsey:

Whispering Pines' Writing Retreat

A Working Retreat

October 25-27, 2019

For more information click here and on the New England SCBWI site.

Dip into Art, Find a New Writerly You by Leslie Colin Tribble and Kathy Halsey

Any amount of creativity takes incubation.

Kathy:  This past fall was hard on me mentally and by October, I felt creatively dry. I had not read Julie Cameron's The Artist's Way but I have done Morning Pages and knew to take myself on "creativity dates" to art museums, the woods, or whatever to just feed my soul and heart. I changed up my creative routine and challenged myself to try pen and ink sketching with Inktober a week into the challenge. Although I didn't get 31 drawings done, one a day with a prompt, I did enjoy the pursuit of another medium. Here's what I learned dipping into a new art form.

One of my pen & ink sketches w/acrylic. Inspired by a photo and the prompt "angular."

• It freed me from being too critical of myself, since I didn't consider myself an artist. 
• I met other artists and saw how many different ways there are to render art with pen & ink.
• I sketched on planes, in pubs, and found that people were interested in what I was doing. 
• By the month's end, I realized that as I wrote, I was beginning to think in pictures and what I would sketch on a page. 
• I gained courage from trying an art form that was new and realized that all artistic expression has rough patches, trial and error, fun, and breakthroughs.  

Sometimes you have to be patient and wait until the time is right.

I knew some of my kid lit friends had other talents and asked them to comment on what they enjoyed in addition to writing and how each art helps feed the other. Twenty-three writers responded to my question over at KidLIt411. I'll share just a few responses.

• To me, creative writing is just one form of artistic generativity. Almost any form of self-expression is useful for generating writing ideas and for getting into creation-mode.
  Different ways of creating often feed into one another. A necklace I've woven may lead to an idea for a different way to decorate a cookie, which in turn may result in an unexpected idea for a children's book. - Michele Blood
• I enjoy handicrafts like sewing, knitting and needle-felting along with costuming. I also garden. For me, it's about letting my brain have some time to fallow, but my hands need to be busy somehow.  - Kimberly Christensen
•  I love gardening, and mowing the lawn. How is lawn mowing creative? I mow nonsensical patterns, or only see from above patterns some times. It's great non-interupted creative time too, much writing is figured out in the fresh air! I also do t'ai chi and qigong which help my writing a great deal. - Charlene Brandt Avery
• Cooking, gardening, and oddly, doing puzzles. I realize that it's not creative in the sense that the pieces are already there. But it both focuses and relaxes my mind. It's very meditative and I often come up with ways to approach a manuscript I'm working on while I'm doing them. - Julie Foster Hedlund
• Finally, GROGger friend, Leslie Colin Tribble, is an author/photographer and treats Facebook followers to amazing photos. I asked her to tag team with me on this post. Her photography makes me conjure up stories. (They are throughout this post.)  

Leslie: I use photography to help me sharpen my creativity. Often when I'm out hiking I see things in nature which prompt story ideas so I snap photos to help me remember. Or I take photos of things I want to research later - what might that animal track be; what woodpecker makes those types of holes; do kangaroo mice hibernate? I could write these ideas down in a notebook, but slipping my cell phone out of my pocket and snapping off one or even ten photos of something is so much easier. Thank goodness for digital!

Creativity is a reflective endeavor.

I'm not on Facebook much anymore, but I have a presence on Instagram (sagebrush_lessons) and I love it. I follow people, places and hashtags that inspire me to create, whether it's photography or writing. I really enjoy posting my own photos and love showing people a slice of my outdoor life. I seldom post anything personal, but I do post things that I find interesting in the natural world. Instagram boosts my creativity and keeps me looking for unique and fun subjects for posts. 

I also think it's good to take a break from your regular writing. I didn't do much of any writing this past year, and when I finally picked up a pen, I wrote personal journal entries exploring emotions and thoughts, something I definitely am not comfortable with. And I've been trying to write a nature-related tidbit per day, just to jump start the words. Writing is practice and when I don't practice I feel the words and ideas stop flowing. 

Sometimes you have to just stop and absorb all that good energy.

Another practice which has come into my life is that of sketching. I've always wanted to keep that tried-and-true naturalist's notebook filled with beautiful sketches of plants and animals. But I really can't sketch for anything. The point is though, that sketching helps me notice both intimate detail and overall impressions. It helps me better understand what I'm looking at and inspires me to increase my knowledge. It's a creativity booster, even though I am absolutely no good at it. I figure I may never create a journal on the lines of Claire Walker Leslie, but my sketching certainly can't get any worse than it already is. And who knows? In several years (decades?!) I just might be slightly better at sketching than I am now! 

What are some ways which you can try to ratchet up your creativity by exploring other art forms? How about taking a watercolor class or learn sculpting? Maybe you could join a Toast Master's group, learn glass blowing, or learn to knit? I find I do a lot of mental writing when I'm just knitting down a long row of the same stitch (plus I'm not a very gifted knitter - plain and simple for me!) Find something you aren't very good at, especially if it requires you to use a different side of your brain.   

Other times you have to head out and pursue it.

Kathy:  As author Sarah Aronson reminded me in her recent newsletter, "In our creative lives, when we take risks, we don't always succeed either. But you'll never know what can happen in your story unless you try. Unless you let go of playing it safe. Unless you risk losing." Here's to new forms of creativity in 2019. What might you do with this one fabulous life? 

Its always worth the effort and you can congratulate yourself on a job well done.