One of the greatest joys of the creative process, at least for me, is surprise.
Among other creative outlets, I write every day. Some days, I start with a clear idea as to what I want to write about. On other days, I simply start and wait to see what happens.
In either case, what comes out may not be what I originally intended or expected. In fact, I feel like most of the writing I am most pleased with came through me more than it actually came from me. Quite often, if I am honest, I am more of a participating observer to the writing process than the actual author of it.
Even when I do have a clear idea about a topic I wish to explore or expound on in one of my posts, it usually starts with nothing more than a single sentence. That single idea may lead me down a straight path wherein the rest of the words come to me quite easily. It may lead me down many different paths, some of which will become other posts. Or, it may leave me struggling for understanding, for clarity, and for resolution.
For anyone reading my writing on a somewhat consistent basis, it will be observed that there is always an image that accompanies the post. This is as much a creative-aesthetic decision, that is, I like taking pictures of things I find interesting and sharing the pictures that I take, as it is a source of inspiration. Sometimes the picture inspires the post. Sometimes the post inspires the picture.
Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.
Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.
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