Today's Prompt arrives via Carolyn Rubenstein of A Beautiful Ripple Effect.
Day 24: What was the most creative thing you did in 2011? How do you plan to use your creativity in 2012? (Note: creative doesn’t always mean artistic. Think outside of the box! Get creative!) May I add how much I love this particular prompt?
I could tell you about how many poems I wrote, or for me as delectable is how many poetry performances I enjoyed as a participant.
I could tell you about curating my first art show, combining Poetry and Visual Art.
I could tell you about the opening night of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof which was a long awaited occurrence after I can’t remember how many months. Perhaps 18 months? Perhaps 2 years? I don’t recall.
I could tell you about the role I played in Stage Door, almost a throwaway role that I managed to create, as my Director said, “All New!” and garnished me an award nomination.
I could tell you how I am up to nearly 1500 blog posts.
Instead, I will tell you about how I have been busily, and creatively rebirthing my home.
I could focus on how nuts it is that I have lived here for nearly 22 years, yet I never fully claimed this house to reflect “me”. Some real estate professionals and house-flippers will tell you “The idea of making a home a reflection of you is foolish. You should make it middle of the road, appealing to someone on the marketplace.”
I vehemently disagree.
I have a love affair with my home: she has stuck with me when others have not. She sheltered me through several different unpleasant stages of my life. Children were conceived here. Pets have lived and died here and are now buried in the yard.
I hear echoes of parties, sobbing, announcements, fights, skinned knees and late night illnesses which included me climbing into tepid baths with each of my children at some point, in hopes of lowering fevers live within these walls.
I have done a lot with this house in recent months and there is a lot to go yet.
I am trying not to go too overboard with Julie-ness because I do share this house with others. We are sharing major decisions. We are each and all working on the process, some more than others. My friends have worked alongside me as the house transforms.
Right now, on Christmas Eve! I have a large mirror I purchased as the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood was getting rid of everything inside before they restored this classic spot from way back when. I have had it for nearly thirty years. I decided I wanted to paint it to match the rest of the room so it would fit in better. Creativity, for me, is a 365 day (or 366 days a year) activity. It is a way of life.
I won’t bore you with my “everything from scratch” Thanksgiving feast with both a ham and turkey. Maybe I will save that for another prompt.
So, what are you thinking about YOUR creativity for 2011? What about for 2012?
I plan to continue working to personalize my home as well as get at least a book or two published. Since I joined the ROW80 (a round of word in 80 days, “a writing challenge for people who have lives”) I am confident I can do it. Theater and I are on a break, though I am performing in February. It is sort of a dragging my feet sort of thing.
I know I will continue with my photography and my mixed media “Women’s Sphere” pieces.
I just feel so thrilled to breathe life into my home. It is a creative project many will feel positive when they experience it and this? Well, it moves me to create more.
I am Julie Jordan Scott ~ and this is one of my Reverb11 posts. This year, the Reverb Community is taking an individualized approach to this life changing initiative. I am answering several prompts a day in short snippets during either a 30 minute or 60 minute wordsprint. I look forward to reading other Reverb11ers writing & if you are unfamiliar, just use the prompt and use the #reverb11 hashtag on twitter. You'll have a blast!
Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot
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© 2011
Julie Jordan Scott
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