Catie Jarvis is an author of fiction, as well as a yoga instructor, a competitive gymnastics coach, an English and writing professor, a surfer, and a mom. She has joined the ZO Creative Team as a writer and editor and we are all looking forward to her upcoming column “The Fiction Portal!”

“Art, like life, should be free, since they are both experimental.” George Santayana

Art is truly metaphor for life and self-observation. As with the example of wandering through an art gallery, so is our meandering through life. Sometimes intense, sometimes boring, always an experiment. How willing are you observe? Do you stand on the sidelines and take everything in or do you dive, head first, into the deep end? Do you judge yourself for not understanding the art or do you judge the artist for not making the piece clear enough for you to understand?

“Art is realm of thought experiments that quicken, sharpen and sweeten our being in this world.” Wendy Steiner

Art is subjective. Art is emotionally evocative. Just as art is experimental, so is life. One person’s sublime experience is another person’s drivel. But, within those experiences are some hard truths. To discover these foundational places, where conclusions can be drawn, is to gain knowledge so that intentional steps can be taken.

The thing about art, though, is that it’s messy. The feelings and colors and chaotic incoming ideas can be overwhelming.

So why not test it out? An experiment is a set of actions taken to test a hypothesis. Charting a course through the overwhelming artistic sensory overload, can start by asking a question. Then, a thoroughly researched hypothesis comes next. Once a hypothesis is made, the experimental fun can begin! The fun of experimenting, is that it creates a stair step of understanding to cut through the mass of ideas and emotions that usually flow with creative projects and can, sometimes, block us from getting anything done or reaching a conclusion.

Here are some key steps to take when embarking on your artistic experimental journey:
What do you know? What don’t you know? Art and life, both have unknown variables and known variables and understanding and documenting them can make a huge difference, moving forward.
Hypothetical conclusion: Set up a hypothesis based on what you know and don’t know.
What if? Time to test your hypothesis. Try things on, try them out. Ask questions, bring in new variables and observe what happens.
What happened? Come to a conclusion based on the new evidence and on what you’ve learned.

“Science, my boy, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.” Jules Verne

Failure and Compassion. Two things to keep in mind throughout your experiment: Understanding that there is no “failure” on the artistic journey—or life—and keeping your tests ethical and sound will ensure that nothing will come between you and your result. Being kind and compassionate with yourself and others helps, too.

And guess what? You can always start again. There is always time and space for another creative endeavor—another experiment.

Remember your imaginary walk through that gallery? You are always free to play, test, observe and imagine. Those elements are key in experimenting and creating. Discovery can be a portal to knowledge and, eventually, action. Isn’t that the point to life, anyway?

“Life is ‘trying things to see if they work.” Ray Bradbury

Rules, regulations, and routines are meant to keep us safe, keep us all on the same page and bring a sense of order and/or unity to a community or group.

In fact, creating a routine is one of the fastest ways of staying centered in uncertain times. One of the easiest ways to combat uncertainty and chaos is to create a structured plan.

“Not knowing the future creates physical and emotional stress,” says Equitable article, “How Planning for Tomorrow Can Ease Uncertainty Today” “Making the right kind of plan can help you cope—and move forward.”

However, one problem that comes with a routine is that…well, it becomes routine.

There is an art to exploring, adventuring, and dreaming, using the open waters of imagination to break the bonds of banality.

What if, while you make your bed, every morning, you imagine you are shaking out the mainsail of your very own boat. Perhaps you are about to embark on an adventure to discover undersea treasure.

What if, as you plan your day and check off items on your “To-Do List,” you build in a theme, like a hilarious scavenger hunt with your favorite treats as prizes.

What if, you lived one day as a metaphor for something much larger than yourself?

Maybe rock climbing?

In his book, “The Longs Peak Experience and Trail Guide,” author and a fourth-generation Colorado mountaineer, Mike Donahue brings this metaphor to life. “It is every step along the way that makes a climb, and it is every moment along the way that makes a life. The secrets learned in reaching for mountain summits help us reach life’s summits…”

Mike’s expertise spanned his master-level understanding of mountaineering and summiting and his book—part trail guide, part life manual—shines a light on making life a true adventure. From planning and preparation to navigating the battle between your positive and negative inner voice, Mike’s offering is nothing less than an exemplar guide to being a truly, kind, compassionate, and, yes, adventurous human.

Sadly, Mike passed away in November 2005, but his life’s passion and legacy live on. His memorial page says the following:

“Mike acquired a near-religious passion for the mountains along with a mystical sense that many of the world’s troubles would be alleviated if only its people would wander and climb in his beloved mountains. Experiencing intimately the mountains, he thought, would bring about a kind of spiritual transformation and cultivate skills that are of great value in all areas of life.“

When it comes to dreams, Mike Donahue said it best:

“Everything, literally everything begins as a dream… And the more we try and make our dreams come true, the richer, more satisfying, and complete a life we live.

…don’t hold back. Dream on. And dream loud and strong. Every step you take toward fulfilling that dream will bring you richness and fulfillment that is very hard to find in life. So, go on… Dare to Dream!”

Sure, life needs structure and, especially now, it is important to stay safe and secure in every possible way. But, what if, the questions you ask yourself and the fun you have with each and every moment of your life, enhance and enrich your existence, as well as the lives of everyone around you?

What if?

Thanks, Mike.

 

The concept of “art” has taken on a whole new meaning. In fact, just about every task associated with producing a creative work, can be relegated to a daily chore or task with all the weight and drudgery of Sisyphus pushing a boulder up a hill.

 

But isn’t creativity supposed to be fun?

Empirical – verifiable by observation or experience

rather than theory or pure logic.

  Ephemeral – Fleeting. Lasting for a very short time.

Being present, is the entire premise of the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. By deeply connecting with each moment, however fleeting, Tolle says, it is possible to find infinite peace.

“… the psychological condition of fear is divorced from any concrete and true immediate danger. It comes in many forms: unease, worry, anxiety, nervousness, tension, dread, phobia, and so on. This kind of psychological fear is always of something that might happen, not of something that is happening now.”

 

It doesn’t make sense, on a variety of levels, to avoid staying present. Personal safety, is a top choice. To keep everyone safe, you must stay alert and aware. But, if you’re sitting in your own home, minding your own business and not operating any heavy machinery, what does it matter if your mind wanders? Who says that a little theorizing or “what-ifing” is harmful?

The problem is that, given enough time and attention, your mind can wander into some pretty dangerous territory. Tolle weighs in on this by saying, “The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive. To put it more accurately, it is not so much that you use your mind wrongly – you usually don’t use it at all. It uses you.”

That’s where getting your hands a little dirty comes into play. There is nothing wrong with thoughts if they are followed by some well documented empirical research. Test whatever you’re questioning out. See what will happen if you do, whatever it is that you’re theorizing. Ask good questions.

 

Sometimes isolation is the very thing to spark a revolution of one. You’ll never know, unless you try.