Roots, Shoots and Fruits

One of the best metaphors for life and creativity is the plant. Specifically, I like to focus on three elements: the roots, the shoots and the fruits.

The roots anchor the plant and provide the life-giving nutrients required to sustain growth. In creativity, this involves understanding who we are (our identity) and why we create (our mission).

The shoots are the channels through which the nutrients travel. In creativity, this involves understanding how our identity and mission plays out in everyday life (our vision).

The fruits are the outcomes and end result of the growth caused by nutrients from the roots traveling through the shoots. In creativity, this is the song or painting or short film at the end of the day, directly influenced by our identity, mission and vision.

Are you at a place where you're enjoying the fruit?

Keep writing,

Ben

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Questions - Who?

When it comes to songwriting, I think it's essential to at least understand the "who, what, when, where, why and how" of creating. The way we each answer these questions should give us a clearer understanding of the process and purpose of our creativity. Let's begin with "who."  

Who writes songs?

The simple answer is, anyone. I believe we all have some level of musical ability, and some message we desire to communicate.

The complicated answer is that songwriting, at least on a professional level, is not for everyone. That should be freeing for some, and sobering to others. For some, it is better to enjoy writing songs as a hobby. For others, it is a deep calling that can only be satisfied by pouring out the creative soul. Either way, writing songs has a therapeutic way of giving life to the creator. Where there was nothing before, now there is something. And you, songwriter, had something to do with that.

Keep writing,

Ben

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!