Beginners Mind is a great place to be.
Beginner’s Mind refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions. In the studio I am always asking for people to have a beginner’s mind when approaching the painting process.
This way of being steeped in awe and enthusiasm allows me a kind of curious play. I delight in this space.
That being said, in the last couple of years I find myself professionally sharing my expertise on bringing creative process together with coaching. I can get quite uncomfortable if I am presented as an expert.
But I am also aware that I need to honor my experience and not pretend that I am the same as everyone else. I have hundreds (thousands?) of hours facilitating creative process.
I am discovering that this sense of experience and wisdom feels good too…but only as long as I still feel connected to the awe and wonder of being alive–still connected to a sense of mystery and beginner’s mind.
There is a tension in the system here. I cannot trade one for the other.
I think most of us will walk this edge at some point in our lives–being either a little too comfortable being good at something and a little too uncomfortable being a beginner at something or visa versa.
- Where are you hungry to be a beginner?
- Where do you need to honor your experience and expertise in life?
- And where is your desire to be really good at things getting in your way of playing, exploring and picking up a paintbrush or a pen?
This is great territory to take a look at. And I am right there with you.