2.07.2011

Quietness Without Loneliness

I love to read.  I do.  Mostly I read mystery novels, stuff like that.  But when I saw a fellow artsy friend recommend this book, The Creative Habit Learn it And Use it For Life by Twyla Tharp, I immediately scooped it up.  Over the past few weeks I've slowing been absorbing the words that flow effortlessly from her lips.  It has been a very good read for this particular crossroad in my life.  In some of my notes I wrote this Gaelic phrase embedded into the painting below:

I've always been one who enjoyed being alone.  Quietness is an integral part of my happiness and my inner peace.  There are many of you out there that can not stand it.  The quiet, the aloneness, it makes you feel.......lonely.  There is a significant difference between those two however.  And Twyla addresses this very fact on page 31.   And man, she hits it right on the nail. Self-reliance is something I thrive on as a creative person.  And having time to truly be alone and work through my creative process brings such joy to my life.  It fills me.  It makes me whole.  It's a little ironic actually that quietness can play such an important role in such a creative mind.  I suppose being so fulfilled is why I never feel lonely.



10 comments:

Isabel said...

Love the post and well def have to read this book, love reading and finding great books:O) Thanx for sharing and always sharing youre thoughts:O) Have a great week:O)

susan said...

I too find that the quiet helps to calm what can become "overwhelming creativity".It helps me harness those thoughts and then focus them. I then feel less scattered and able to give more to my hubby and kids. Thanks for sharing!

Alicia said...

Thanks for the book recommendation. I savor my quiet moments; they are tough to come by in my gregarious family of five! None of them get it, but like Susan says, it refuels you so you are able to give back again. And once again a lovely work of art; this is my favorite of your encaustics so far.

PS. You should get the pin cushion in a day or two (finally).

LR said...

those quiet moments save me for sure. lovely post.

Laurie said...

Jenni, I have read this book too and loved it! I need to go dig it out and re-read all the underlined parts! Thanks for reminding me!

Felicia said...

This is a lovely post, quietness is lovely. I will definately read that book,thanks for the recommendation. Love the flowers!

Beth HF said...

That book is a go to for me. I re-read it all of the time. Glad you are enjoying it! It's like an eye opening, inspirational big bowl of comfort. I like being alone too. Never lonely. Can't hear my thoughts these days with a loud mouthed (although cute) three year old daughter who is giving her brothers a run for their money! Ah, quiet.

Dianne said...

I thrive when alone... I enjoy the quiet... it brings balance to my soul.

Erica OGrady said...

I've often tried to explain the difference between "being alone" and "feeling lonely" to people. Because there is a difference.

I can be in a room filled with hundreds of people and feel completely alone.

And I can be alone with my writing in an empty house, and feel completely at peace. Completely surrounded by love and acceptance.

I love this sentiment: "Quietness Without Loneliness".

Suzanne said...

I love that book! I read it cover to cover, while taking notes. Have you written out your creative autobiography, as she suggests on page 45? That was fun to do. I also liked on page 144 where she says that "every work of art needs a spine." I think just by thinking that through, you can end any creative block you may have.

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