Photo by fulingmaje/stockxchng.com
“I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.” ~Duke Ellington (1899-1974), composer & big band leader
Y’all know I love quotes.
I especially love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.”
That’s how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, “Huh,” and then I had my husband read the quote.
Here’s the thing about pouting: We all do it. The question is: What do we do with it? Do we let it squelch our creativity — or energize it?
I admit to pouting that sometimes tips over to sulking. But the older I get, the less time I spend in a funk. I give myself an allotted time to be in a bad mood — and then I move on. And you know what? Usually I’m over the mood before the time is up.
Maybe the next time I feel a pout coming on I’ll try the Duke Ellington method and write me some blues — or maybe the next scene in my work-in-progress.
In Your Words: How do you handle a pout? Have you ever turned a funky mood into a creativity session?
Comments 7
Pouting energy is also used well for writing poetry, housecleaning or gardening–cleaning something up and making a big difference in a short amount of time.
When I feel like pouting, I typically will take out a scene where my character feels that same way and write my emotions into a scene. It is either that, or lean the kitchen and slam cupboards muttering under my breath. LOl!
Love that quote, Beth. Hmmm, turning a pout into creativity. I like it. Fretting energy is what I dealt with this week. Turning it into prayer energy helped lots. Getting my mind off of me and the “what if’s” and directing energy toward praying for others. Need to figure out how to swing out of the frets and into the praying sooner. 🙂
Oh, such perfect timing. I’ve been cranky all week due to my day job. This morning I felt like the Holy Spirit did some holy yelling in my heart about that very thing. Haha…and then I read your post. So what I want to do today is look for ways to be creatively grateful during my eight hours in the office…not just rattling off the old, “hey, it’s an awesome ministry and I get paid and I have health insurance” bit, but looking for the other blessings in disguise, too.
I give myself time to pout and then I usually pour my pout into a prayer. Say that 5x fast! But it works for me. I try not to write in a funky mood because I generally pile up bodies that aren’t necessary. 🙂
One time, years (and years!) ago, my husband and I argued and I got a wee bit angry. In my frustration, I pouted…and started frantically cleaning the house, venting my poopiness with a broom and a rag. My husband, who has since learned that “after the whistle blows” do NOT work well for him, walked by the kitchen and said, “Looks great in here. I should make you mad more often.”
I now have a sulking seat far, far away in a corner of my garden. I have a small fire-pit out there and sometimes I just write my frustration down and light a fire to it, giving it to God, laying it at His feet. I almost always come back to the house in a better mood. Sometimes, if it was a REALLY good chat with Jesus, I might even pick up a broom or a rag… but only if Kevin isn’t watching. 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend,
Becky
First I vent to a few select friends…then I pray and ask God to see the good in the midst of the bad.
I heard you got to see Ollie yesterday! How fun!! We missed seeing you on the MBT seminar, though.