A few minutes of teeny tiny crazy critter doodles before working on this week’s podcast.

One thing I’ve learned is that when I do a little Creative Sandbox arting first thing in my day, it makes my whole day go better. So best to get some art-making in first thing!

Another thing I’ve learned is that the thing I do FIRST is the thing that gets DONE! Another reason it’s best to get some art-making in first thing!

That’s why I have a sketchbook and pens right by my bed, and why doodling has become part of my morning ritual, part of my morning routine.

Jumping in the Creative Sandbox, even for just a few minutes in the morning, makes my life go better. ?

What about you?

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Today’s Doodlecam was an extension of yesterday’s. I confess I was afraid that perhaps the freedom and fluidity I felt yesterday, and the delight I felt in what I was creating, might have been a fluke.

Maybe I would never again be able to create something I liked.
Maybe I would never again be able to relax on live video stream.

Those were the fears nagging away in my head.

But you know what? It all went fine. I enjoyed the doodling. I enjoyed the commentary.

I know not every Doodlecam will be like that–this is the nature of the beast: some days will be better than others.
It’s called “being human.” But as long as you don’t take direction from those nasty gremlin voices, things turn out okay.
You may dislike some of your work, may feel frustrated at times, but just keep on going.
Look at the overall body of your work. Not every single piece is going to be amazing, but over time, the level of your work overall will rise (remember Guidepost #3 of The Creative Sandbox Way: Think quantity, not quality.) If you take care of the quantity, the quality will take care of itself.
Just keep at it. Focus on the process. Focus on the joy.

You may be amazed when you look back at what you’ve managed to create.

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Breakthrough! I did what was I think my fourth live Doodlecam this morning (Facebook Live of me doodling on live streaming video), and for the first time I actually really liked the outcome.

Not that it’s ABOUT the outcome—it’s not, it’s about JOY (remember Guidepost #2 from my book, The Creative Sandbox Way, “Think process, not product.”) But we still like being pleased and delighted by what we create. What could be more wonderful?

It doesn’t happen every time, but the more you create, the better the ratio gets, of delight to frustration. ?

And here I thought it might take me weeks of feeling self-conscious doing Doodlecams before I created a doodle that delighted me. Nope: FOUR!

The fourth Doodlecam was the charm.

Not that this means the next Doodlecam doodle will delight me. There might be several after this that feel awkward and self-conscious.

Life is not a steady upward growth curve.

But today was lovely validation. Thank you, Universe!

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Saturday morning doodle, while listening to Gimlet Media’s last episode of Undone podcast.

After doodling live on the Doodlecam this week, it felt really freeing to just doodle on my own, no worries about anyone watching.
And surprise, surprise, I like the outcome of today’s Creative Sandbox doodle session better, too.

BUT THAT’S NOT THE POINT!

Remember Guidepost #2 of The Creative Sandbox Way: “Think process, not product.” It’s not about the outcome!
It’s not about impressing anyone–even myself. Though of course I vastly prefer it when I do, I admit it!

In the Creative Sandbox, the purpose is JOY. It’s to fill my well, fuel my tank, restore my energy, boost my mood, make me happier.

THAT is the purpose. Loving the outcome is frosting.

So today is a frosting day, because I’m kinda liking these squiggly characters, rising up amid the bubbles! ?

I’m interested to see if I can gain this kind of freedom while doodling live on the Doodlecam. I still feel pretty self-conscious, but I figure with time that will dissipate.

We shall see! Join the next live Doodlecam to see what happens – http://bit.ly/2eDadCF
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The result of today’s Doodlecam — Facebook Live video of me doodling, and commenting on what’s going on inside my head as I do so.

It’s kind of an odd practice, to doodle, and talk about what I’m doing, as I’m doing it. To give voice to thoughts that are normally so fleeting and meditative.

Doodling has become such a spiritual practice, and it is bizarrely disorienting, and also consciousness-raising, to talk about it while I do it.

The Doodlecam feels like the next step in the spiritual growth path of this spiritual journey!

Come check it out over at http://bit.ly/2eDadCF!

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