Cunning. Relentless. Deadly. You know them. Just when you settle down to do your creative work, they come dancing out with all the cheer of a Dixie-land dirge. "You should plastic the windows of this gigantic Victorian house you thought was a good idea to rent when the weather was warm." Or maybe, "You should go to work early and get that report done on time for a change, so your colleague doesn't have to hunt you down like the dog you are." Or the classic, "You know, you really should clean the lint out of your belly button. What kind of a person ARE you?" Yesterday, I fought back. Before leaving for work, I went into my art studio and made a prayer flag. I know that playing with little scraps of fabric might seem childish to some. But I have always found working with my hands, and color and shape and design, to be a tonic. When I create relationships between motifs, I create relationships in my mind. I get neurologically organized, as opposed to neurotically organized. It's a delight. And the Shoulds hate delight. They fear joy, and they run screaming with their hair on fire once they get a good look at the face of creativity. So go ahead. Make their day. You're a grownup now. Don't be afraid of a little thing like play.
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