It’s been a while since I’ve written here on Triond. I had some lose ends to finish on a writing project to take of. So I said to myself, “I’ll be right back. This will take but a moment and then I will continue where I left off.” Isn’t that the way of things? We have every intention of finishing what we start and yet something always comes up. And in this case, I was finishing something that needed finishing – which meant I left it in the first place! What curious creatures we are. And yet I would not change it. If I completed every task in front of me before beginning a new one, I would have accomplished much less in my life than what I have and will accomplish. I just have to keep track of what I’ve said “I’ll be right back” to so that I am sure to complete it (if it indeed needs completion).

There are those tasks, however, that are perfectly content to lay by the wayside to make room for more pressing or creative tasks. They have served their purpose in igniting that creative spark, so don’t guilt yourself into bringing them to completion, you may only bring an injustice upon it for all your sense of duty and due diligence. I have many of those small projects that have been set aside and for the longest time and along with those projects I have had that nagging thought in the back of my mind that they need to be “completed”. I have this unexplainable need to tie things up in a pretty little package … and its frustrating. I need to realize that this whole creating business (drawings, writings, music, even planning) is actually an artform. It is only then that I am able to allow myself some slack. I don’t need to adhere to strict rules or “stay between the lines”. I just need to flow where the creative juices lead me and enjoy the journey.

So in reflection of my freedom from the more menial (but not meaningless) tasks, I have decided to give them a place of honor. I am putting together a tribute book where I can file away unfinished projects. In doing so, I am giving them a place where I can re-visit them for a new spark or simply smile over them graciously and knowingly for their assistance in my creative progress. By putting them together it wraps up the lose ends for me. I haven’t “left them unfinished” but I have merely allowed them to have served their purpose without demanding any more from them.

So prioritize those things that call out to you and put aside those that don’t. And only say “I’ll be right back” if you really mean it.