Step right up. Open the Door. The Muse will see you now.

 

I’ve spent a lot of time at the dentist’s office lately. In fact, today I’m about to have the final appointment in my journey to get a permanent crown. I have finished the root canal. The preparation for the crown is done. That was really no big deal--except for that high-pitched drilling sound in my ears. That was a bit rough. Not painful, just noisy.

I learned a trick many years ago that helps me in such circumstances. I close my eyes, and let my mind drift, I open an imaginary door and then I walk into an imaginary room. This week, that door led to my novel-in-progress. I’ve been working hard on figuring out a tricky plot point. The threads are all tangled up. And so is my brain. The dentist’s office was the perfect place to pull out the knots, separate out the threads and finally organize them so that I could see exactly what colors I’ve got in front of me. I was completely involved in this process, when I heard a voice from beyond the pages that pronounced “we’re just about done.”

I opened my eyes and there was my dentist. I had forgotten all about him!

This is one of the greatest benefits in leading a creative life--that door in the back of your mind. It’s always waiting for you--whether you’re washing dishes or walking around your field. It’s often hanging out around dance classes. It loves music. You’ll find the door when you’re doing anything repetitive or something you can do by rote. Anything that does not require your full attention. You’ll find the door when you’re sitting on a train, folding laundry, cleaning paint brushes. Even in the dentist’s office.

Creative Friends--the Muse has been with you all your life. Sometimes we call her our secret friend. Sometimes we call her our imagination. No matter. Be faithful to her and she will be faithful to you and keep you company with you your whole life through.

Love,

Jamie