Saturday, January 8, 2011

A Creative Life

I have a new blog. That would be this space. I've hesitated starting this new blog now for about a week for a host of different reasons. I think number one on the list being that I'm not quite sure whether the name suits me. Boheme Latina.

Obviously, for those of you that know me the second half suits me without me even trying. I am Latina by birth and no one can argue with that, but it's the boheme part that makes me stop to think.  I mean I absolutely love the word. There is just something about it, much like the words meaning, that I am drawn to over and over. A quick google search pops up this definition from Wikipedia:

Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits, with few permanent ties. Bohemians can be wanderers, adventurers, or vagabonds.

I don't know that that is THE definition of "boheme", but it's a good example of what I envision. 

So what's the problem with that you may ask? Well, I don't know that I completely "live up" to that definition. Bohemianism somehow seems to embody this lifestyle of a gypsy, with no real ties to a place or to people. Um, I have a mortgage and bills. Not very boheme if you ask me.  However, I can't deny that there is a part of me (and I think my husband would agree) that is a wanderer and a free spirit. Who constantly dreams of far off places and people filled with amazing stories and adventures. 

I suppose the hesitation lies in the fact that maybe my lifestyle doesn't necessarily mirror the definition of boheme,  so can I even use that term  and somehow pretend? 

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my sister-in-law who has a new roommate who she referred to as a "rich hippy". I looked at her quizzically because ,I didn't know there was such a thing, Apparently her new roomy is a well-off individual who has decided to follow a so-called hippy lifestyle while still indulging in the finer things in life...like a $500 blender. But you know what? WE ALL DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

So, all that to say that I don't want to say I'm one thing and then live a completely different lifestyle. Oy. I'm having an existential crisis over a blog name. That is sooooo me. 

I guess the point is that I identify on some level with the term and I need to be ok with that. There is not a hard and fast checklist that says I have to do this and that to use the term boheme. And, there is nothing wrong with identifying with the term. I am who I am. So there! (as I stick out my tongue at  who knows what).

What finally got me to write this rant was this quote from Joseph Chilton Pearce:

“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.”



I struggle with calling myself creative, much like I struggled with the word boheme, because I don't see myself as an artist per say. But I am creative in my own way. I cook, I decorate, I knit, I sew. Among other things. But, isn't it funny how we don't always associate those things with creativity? I think it also has to do with the fact that I've stepped away from the more traditional arts, but now find myself coming back to them slowly. I guess I just don't want to sound dumb or complete ignorant in the face of so many talented folks out there. But who cares! Read this post to see how this rant of mine also got started.

So, here I am. A new blog. A new space that hopefully embodies more of who I am. 

This should be interesting!


P.S. Here's a different spin on the above quote:



 

 

1 comment:

  1. OK, when I saw the name of your new blog, I understood completely!! It suits you to a tee, and I love it! Keep goin', girlie, you have much to contribute, and I look forward to reading it all. Love you and love your blog. <3

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