I'm not much of a poker player, but I know that 'upping the ante' means adding to the pot, so that the win or loss is greater. This appears to be the way I have approached my creative efforts in life. I listed as many of the creative projects I could think of that I've attempted and completed in my lifetime. Of the fourteen or so, only a couple would have had much impact on my ego had I failed.
I might have wanted to wear a scarf on my head for a while if my hennaed hair had turned out green. Failing to earn my degree after waiting 50 years to try for it would have crushed me. Having stories and articles rejected by an editor can be devastating to a writer.
I didn't really realize how many creative projects I had attempted, and mostly succeeded in accomplishing, during my life until I started making the list. And I probably missed some, or didn't count some that I thought didn't count as being 'creative'. Among those I can remember:
- Leader, Sprint Quality group, United for Optimal Service
- charter member of a Toastmasters Club
- company Speakers Bureau member
- short-lived church newsletter editor
- designed screened-in back porch (Dave the builder improved on it)
The other creative projects I did earlier in my life were things I wanted to do for me. The paper bead necklaces I created turned out prettier than I expected and this pleased me. The half-dozen or so blown egg Christmas ornaments were lovely, to me. These were small projects, because I had little time in those days since I was taking care of my small daughter, my unwell mother-in-law, and her big house. But being able to complete two creative projects was encouraging. I also taught myself to sew at this time and made a beautiful red satin dress, which I've never worn.
These successes gave me courage to try bigger things when I had more time and more motivation to do so, after we bought our first house. I took ceramic classes with my sister-in-law and made several pieces that delight me, especially my red temple jar and speckled bean pot with painted flower trim.
