Anyone can get caught in a dark place regarding how they view themselves and their progress in a skill. Making demands of ourselves to be our best can be a powerful motivating force; it can also be supremely destructive. In my own growth as both a swordsman and a dancer I have frequently reached a place where I felt I was far from Read More …
About 18 years ago I took over running a rapier practice and class for the Society for Creative Anachronism. I was new to being in a leadership role and I sought out the advice of one of the senior members in the area about how to run a successful group. He gave me one piece of advice: Without fail, always Read More …
Take 5 minutes each day to practice doing something you love. Take one small step toward your goal each morning. Even if that step takes less than a minute. Put on a timer for 15 minutes. Work on the first step of your plan in that time. Repeat everyday, till it’s done. Read an inspiring book one page at a Read More …
Our culture demands so much of us as producers. We demand such a rhythm of achievement. The best of us are seen to be relentless, constantly uniformly driving forward, unceasing in our progress. Yet all land must lie fallow. This message gives us such cause to be hard on ourselves when we falter; When we allow ourselves to be caught Read More …
Two creators I have often marvelled at are Woody Allen and Leonard Cohen. Woody has produced at least one movie per year for 40 years. That’s a tremendous amount of writing and creation. Leonard Cohen has an anthology of poetry many volumes in length, not to mention songs and art in other media. The thing I love about both of Read More …
One thing I love about New Year’s is not setting new resolutions but resetting old ones. This time of year has always been a time of reflection for me. Not because of the calendar or the holiday’s intention but simply because I go away from my routine for a week and I’m not exploring some new country. The only country Read More …