You may have noticed that the music is notably absent today. There’s a couple of reasons for that.
The first is, I reached this month’s limit on my pro account in Hedra. I’m not sure what that means just yet, but tonight I’m not doing music. I’ve increased the amount they can charge me, but it’s quite a financial hit to me. Well, I’ll discuss this issue at our morning meeting.
I was going to figure out which songs should go in the bandcamp albums, but for that, I really need YOUR help — or maybe not.
I could just ship out the 60 or so songs I have stowed away as posted on youtube and Claude could put them up, dividing them into six groups of ten songs each album.
Yeah, I think that’s what I’ll do. If I try to sort them by musical type or subject matter, the whole point of the exercise would be lost.
If by some slim chance you don’t actually know what the point is, you can ask about it at our morning zoom meeting, but first, you have to figure out how to get there.
The Magic of Starting with No Idea
If you’re anything like me, there are times when you sit down to create or solve a problem, and your mind feels like an empty chalkboard. No notes. No doodles. Just… blank. It can feel frustrating, even a little unsettling, to start with no idea. But let me share something I’ve learned over decades of living, teaching, and creating: the blankness is where the magic happens.
Let’s take this morning, for instance. I sat down intending to write something for my blog—something insightful, useful, maybe even a little entertaining—but I had absolutely no clue what to say. I could have stared at the screen in defeat or gone off to do something else, but instead, I leaned into the nothingness.
And here we are, you and I, exploring the beauty of starting with no idea.
Why Starting Blank Is a Gift
When you begin with no idea, you’re not weighed down by expectations or pre-made plans. Instead, you’re both forced to explore and free to explore, to notice things you might otherwise overlook. It’s like standing on the edge of an unmarked trail, surrounded by possibilities. You don’t know where it leads, and that’s precisely the point.
Starting blank means anything is possible. It’s not empty; it’s full of potential. It’s a space where your intuition, curiosity, and creativity can take the lead. Sometimes, the best ideas emerge not because we planned them, but because we gave them room to appear.
A Personal Trick I Use When I’m Stuck
Here’s something I do that might help you: when I feel stuck, I don’t force myself to come up with an idea. Instead, I look around. On the farm where I live, inspiration is everywhere. A shadow falling just so across a tree trunk, the sound of a bird singing, even the way the sunlight catches on a dusty windowpane—all these little moments contain concepts, and once I notice one idea, the rest usually follows.
For example, as I’m writing this, I can hear the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind. If I stopped to really listen, I might find a story there—a metaphor about how small, simple things can bring us joy and purpose. Or maybe it’s about the hen who always strays too far from the coop, but finds her way home just in time for dinner. It’s all potential writing material, just waiting for me to pay attention.
Tips for When You’re Starting with No Idea
- Start Small: If you can’t think of what to say, start by describing where you are or how you feel. Write one sentence, then another. Let the thread unravel on its own.
- Ask Yourself Questions: What’s been on your mind lately? What’s something you noticed but didn’t give much thought to? What’s the last thing that made you smile—or frustrated you?
- Invite Playfulness: Forget about doing it ‘right.’ Doodle, scribble, or jot down the most random thoughts. Sometimes, it’s the playful, silly stuff that leads to something profound.
- Trust the Process: Even if it feels messy or pointless, keep going. The act of showing up is where the magic lives.
Why This Matters
Starting with no idea isn’t just about writing or creating—it’s a metaphor for life itself. So often, we think we need a plan, a goal, or a perfect vision to move forward. But the truth is, life unfolds in the unplanned moments. The best surprises, the biggest breakthroughs, and the deepest connections often come when we let go of certainty and embrace the unknown.
You want to make God laugh? Form a plan.
So, what about you? Is there something in your life that feels like a blank page right now? A project you’ve been avoiding, a decision you’re unsure about, or simply a feeling of being stuck? Take a deep breath. Start small. Trust the magic of the unknown.
You don’t have to know everything to take the first step. Sometimes, the best way forward is to begin with no idea and see where it takes you, as I’ve done here.
Well, as it turns out, I worked tonight in Suno and produced about a dozen good songs, which I’ll play for you at our morning zoom meeting today, if all goes well.
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I didn’t get many videos for our video tour, but here are those that I managed to get:
See You At The Top!!!
gorby