Gosh…I’ve not updated this blog in forever……..been hanging out on facebook, twitter, and linkedin among other things………so sorry. Researching social media and the like and working lots of hours. Look me up in the other places until I figure out how to most effectively manage my online communications……..hoping to update this website in the near future…thanks to my hubby for creating this and for updating when I ask. New look coming soon.

I have actively been following http://www.creativity-portal.com since about 2004. I saw a request for photo submissions for their “365 Pictures” creative photo prompts and thought, “Why not?” http://www.creativity-portal.com/prompts/365/pictures.html

By trade, I am a performing arts instructor and marketing director. On the side, I love to write and compose music for fun. One of my writings, “Chronic Creativity: A Diagnostic Look at the Condition and How to Become Infected” can be found on the Creativity Portal website. I have also produced 3 musical albums.

The photo that I submitted is from one of my “meandering walks” around Grafton, WI. I’m not a professional photographer. But I am a creative person. Creative people look at things quite differently. When I was walking around Lime Kiln Park in Grafton, WI, I stumbled upon this block of concrete. Immediately, I found the “sculpture” to be quite funny. I’m not sure why. But the crooked rod seemed to speak to me and I took a photo.

So often in life, I feel like a crooked rod. Someone who is different. Someone who does not conform. Don’t a lot of us creatives feel that way? We feel a little bit bent…a little bit odd…a little bit out of place. At times, we long to and try to conform but it just doesn’t seem to happen. We are an odd breed. We appear rebellious. But often, we aren’t purposely rebelling. We are just being true to ourself.

I guess the message in this photo is that it’s OK to be different. You don’t have to conform. It’s not in your nature to do so….so why try so hard? Just be yourself…your own bent and crooked self. Keep it real. Don’t pretend that you are like the rest or that you are straight like the others.

BE CROOKED AND PROUD!

This is a poem for those in despair.
Humor me. Come on.
Let’s play “TRUTH OR DARE”!
I dare you to answer how many days
the evening has been kissed by the morning rays.
I dare you to answer how often spring comes
and how many babies have been born out of love.
Tell me the truth.
Have you seen before
that with failed opportunity comes an open door?
No? You pessimist!
Open your eyes!
Adjust your vision
and look to the sky.
Tell me, how far do the heavens reach?
Far beyond your pessimist vision!
(That’s the end of “my preach”.)

Susie shell once swam by the seashore.
But suddenly she stopped.
She whimpered in shock.
She sighed and she cried.
She swore and she lied.
Her spirit was stolen.
Then she became empty inside.

No matter how the actor feels….
the show must go ON!
If lights or sound may fail…
the show must go ON!
If sadness consumes.
If tragedy looms.
No matter.
If shattered.
The show must go ON!

Is it too much to ask
to be spoken kindly to
in a soft and gentle tone?
Is it too much to ask
for you to be present
so that I am not alone?
Is it too much to ask
that you somehow
brighten my day?
You know…
surprise me, be happy for me,
and to be a strength?
Most often I feel
that IT IS too much….
So I quit asking, quit dreaming
and deny your touch.

BEHOLD!
I leap with excitement
at the dawning of this new day!
HEAR YE!
A little rose bud
peaks itself out of my soul!
HEARKEN!
The branches are stretching
and my heart is thawing.
It has been a long winter.
ALAS!
I am waking up.

By Angela K. Mack 2/18/05

If I speak free
and you don’t agree,
let me be.
ME.

And if I choose
something different than you,
let me do.
I AM NOT YOU.

If I grow
where you don’t go,
let it be so.
LET ME KNOW.

I think I need the dog whisperer
to whisper in my ear.
I seem to want to bark and bite
whenever anyone gets near.
It’s not that I don’t want or like
to be pet and praised,
it’s just that my experiences
have caused me to be crazed.

I think I need the dog whisperer
to point a finger or three
and to say “tssshhhhhhhh…
easy now…slow down….
you are safe with me…”

Barking dogs are watchful dogs
and fearful dogs can bite.
Forsaken dogs, they hold their own,
and the wounded…..FIGHT OR FLIGHT.

I have two shepherd mix dogs that seem to have their own “turf wars”, “power struggles” and what not. The struggle for dominance is actually quite common in dogs. My own “Daisy” and “Zorro” seem to be in a constant dance of fighting for dominance. In the house, Zorro is more dominant making Daisy slink around in fear if she goes near his toy or bone. However, outside, Daisy tantalizes then playfully attacks Zorro making him run to the porch for safety. It is actually quite humorous to watch their ongoing power struggles. Each tries to keep the other “in line” with their unique methods of intimidation.

Our human interactions seem to be just as silly at times. I am continually amazed by people, often good people, who seem to want to make decisions for me and others. Either that or they vocalize their disapproval of personally made decisions. I think one of the more recent examples has been my choice for the 44th president. My vote for Barack Obama even surprised me, a lifetime republican! However, after weighing and researching, praying and listening, I made a choice. I made MY choice. Yet, I must admit, I have felt quite a bit of judgment and intimidation from well meaning people who made a different choice. Even before the election, I felt the intimidation. What was I to do? A) Give in and allow another human being to make a choice for me or B) Go with my own instincts and convictions and make my own choice? I chose B. I chose freedom.

Freedom means being able to make your own choices. And a true friend won’t get in the way of that. They might disagree with your choice. They might lovingly counsel some correction. But a true friend won’t reject you for carrying out your own personal convictions. A true friend will not correct in a self righteous fashion. They will respect your sense of freedom and humbly and diplomatically disagree at times.

We need to remember that there are others close to us and far from us who make decisions that we may not agree with or who have ideals that we don’t comply with. It is wise to listen without judgment. This is the art of being diplomatic and extending the gift of freedom to others.

Or do we reduce ourselves to the dog world and bark, growl or mount on top of others who are “out of line”? That sort of dominance is very real in the world that we live in…. both at home and abroad. And despite the disapproval of others, I will continue to remain true to and carry out my own convictions. I hope that you learn to do the same and do not allow yourselves to be bullied into bondage.