Andrew, my grandson, was here for a visit with his parents last week so that we could celebrate his first birthday. We invited some close family friends over to share in the celebration and cake, and they brought Andrew three Mylar balloons.
I now have a cherished memory of watching Andrew tow one of those floating, bobbing, shiny balloons from room to room, waving his arms to keep his balance, holding tightly to the ribbon of that balloon. It’s an image that stayed with me all day Sunday after he left with his parents to return home, and even entered my dreams at one point during that night. The image of that little boy and his balloon has become a creative icon.
As I watched Andrew take his balloon for a walk, here is what I learned:
- Look high, reach high for your creative dream or vision. Those helium balloons float as high as they can. To find the balloon, Andrew had to look up and reach up to grab hold of its ribbon. The same is true for creative dreams. The ones to grab hold of, the ones that pull you forward, and keep you on your toes, are to be found by looking up. Yes, they may seem ephemeral at first, impractical even. But good creative ideas often float in the realm of the impossible. Even if you need to bring them a little closer to grounded reality, you have to look up in your imagination to find them.
- Hold fast to that creative dream…and don’t let go. I was so impressed at how Andrew did not let go of the narrow ribbon that connected him to his balloon. It was only half an inch wide. Not much to grab onto for the tiny hand of a one-year old. Yet, he kept a firm grip on it throughout his perambulations. Keep a firm grip on your creative dreams. Don’t let them slip through your fingers in your perambulations through life, even when you fall. Even when you want to reach for something else.
- Take pride in your journey with that creative dream…the ups and the downs. As Andrew toddled from room to room, across thresholds, up and down stairs, he waved his arms, and made noises, growling, hissing, and yelling his pride and pleasure in pulling the balloon with him wherever he went. Falling down and getting up again didn’t lessen his pride. Reaching out for Grandma’s steadying hand didn’t lessen his pride either. Rather it made him even happier, hearing me growling and hissing and yelling with him. So take pride in your creative journey, the ups and downs, the falls and the willingness to get up and keep going. And share the joy and the pride of the journey with those who support you and your creative dreams.
Ritual suggestion: If you’d like to experience what it feels like to hold the ribbon of your creativity, go buy a helium balloon. Write on it with a marker words that represent your current creative project. Carry it from room to room with you as you move about your home or studio throughout your day. Carry it with pride and joy. Growl a little. Hiss a little. Yell loudly a lot. Feel how your creative project makes your steps and your heart feel lighter. Notice how your creativity wants to float higher, wants to go out into the world to be admired…When you feel a little down about your creative project, look at that balloon. Walk a while with it if you need to.
And hey, if you need a steadying, supportive hand then reach out to me. I’ll be happy to growl and hiss and yell with you.