Friday, February 5, 2010

Friday Challenge!


Dear Readers,
I challenge each and every one of to a duel! Nah, I don't. I've decided that Friday will now be Challenge Day on this blog. I will challenge my readers to do something different each week and you all can let me know how it goes (or not - you are free of course to ignore challenge day but you'll be missing out on lots of fun).
Here is today's challenge - a walking quest. Yes! Get off your duffs and walk somewhere in your neighbourhood or near where you work. This can be a short walk but you are to bring back something creative. If you are writers you can bring back an image, an overheard conversation or perhaps even the genesis for your next work. If you are fibre artists - look for something to inspire you in a way that you haven't worked before - photographers, visual artists - same thing. If you see yourself primarily as a householder or work where creativity does not flourish - use your inspiration to create a table setting, a letter to your old aunt, a fridge poem, a desk shrine, or as the seed of a prayer or contemplation. Do not restrict your inspiration to nature, there is much in the constructed world that could be inspiring. Look beyond what the things are (a sunset, a plastic bag blowing down the street, a mother's hand touching the hair of her child) to what you see without laying those ideas on them ( a splash of red orange, a dancing form, the texture of lines intersecting). Above all - allow yourself to be surprised by the moment.
I look forward to your responses...

16 comments:

Helen Ginger said...

I'm off to do heart coaching at a conference today, but I will see what I find there. Nice idea.

Helen
Straight From Hel

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I can easily do that!

Patricia Stoltey said...

What a great idea. I desperately need to get moving, so maybe I'll take my camera along and see what I can find for future blog posts.

Elspeth Futcher said...

I love this idea; thanks, Jan.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I will get back to you with my findings. Fun stuff.

Jemi Fraser said...

I walked home from work today & actually solved a plot problem on the way :)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Great idea! I love the idea of shaking up the routine a little and getting inspired. But I'm going to have to do it tomorrow--nasty day out today! :)

Elizabeth

Natasha said...

On Thursday, I went for a walk with my camera, and came back with a few really nice photographs. Does that count?
Perhaps not, so I will go for a walk today, and look for something new. Though I walk a lot, it is more to get from one place to another place - walking to seek is something new for me.

You will share what you find, wouldn't you?

Faith Pray said...

This is funny. I did not read your post till this evening, but I took my kids on a walk today. One of the twins kept gathering treasures but her sister could not find anything to suit her. It was past time to go home and she began to despair. I looked around, searching for anything unusual and pretty that she could take back with her. And then a surge of wind wakened me to faint chimes tinkling nearby. I whispered: "It doesn't have to be something you hold. Close your eyes. What do you hear?" "Wind?" "Music!"
So we brought home branches, a tiny shell, madrona bark, a dandelion, and the ringing of wind chimes.

Natasha said...

I did go for a walk, Jan. Around my house, but on lanes I normally avoid, because they don't go anywhere. I found a shrine to Mother Mary, a tree that would not look out of place in a fantasy novel, and a schoolfull of smilie, happy faces!

I know that is not exactly what you meant when you asked us to challenge ourselves, but I would not have found them without you. Thank you.

Jan Morrison said...

Well this is deeply satisfying! Thank you all for taking up the challenge. I will post on Monday what I found and how it morphed into my work and I will link to anyone who wants to share their discoveries in any more depth! Thanks Patrician for putting a link to my site from yours - I'm touched and thrilled!
Perhaps we'll make a co-creation, who knows what is brewing out here in the borderline between the metaverse and the universe!
And for those of you who think you didn't do this right - of course you did! Whatever happens on a friday challenge (even if it takes place on a saturday or thursday) is exactly what is supposed to happen! My game - my non-rules!
Check in Monday for an update on the Friday challenge...

Simon Hay said...

This is a cool idea. We found a green tree snake lying across the front stairs a few days ago. I have a photo. Creative and brave!

JournoMich said...

This is a FANTASTIC idea! Thank you for the challenge! This is now a set Friday spot for me.

AND--You have an award on today's award post at my blog! :)

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Patricia Stoltey said...

Jan, I posted a photo of what I found for your Friday challenge on my blog -- signs of spring in Northern Colorado even in February.

Anonymous said...

despite being lazy as a hippo, this idea is appealing.... lets see if I pull it off...

Ann said...

Great idea. Will check in next week.