Notes From The Furlough: Day 40

Precision isn’t as important as gusto.

Please discuss. How does this play out in life?

I’ll start us out. Sidelined by COVID-19, many of us are attempting to fill spare time with new or forgotten/neglected activities and hobbies. We’re experimenting. The finished results of our attempts may not be what we anticipated. We may even view these outcomes as failures.

I’m reminded today that the what isn’t as important as the how and why. A painting executed precisely to plan—think paint by numbers—lacks the soul one finds in a masterpiece of emotional expression—think Edvard Munch’s The Scream. If I am too focused on a specific outcome, I will drain all the passion out of my end result. Allowing my enthusiasm and emotions to express in my work may lead to what Bob Ross termed “happy accidents.” It’s time to go free form!

How about you? How to you escape the trap of expected results?