graffiti on a cyber wall

Answers.com says creativity is the "Ability to produce something new through imaginative skill, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form."

Answers.com goes on to say  creativity is based on,  "...a richness of ideas and originality of thinking".  Seeking out new ideas and ways of thinking seems like growth. Being locked into a stale set of ideas and thoughts seems like stasis.  Newton's laws of thermodynamics basically postulated that things moving tend to keep moving, things stationary tend to stay stationary, and left to themselves, most thing degrade into chaos. A flexible, growing, open mind promotes creativity.

Answers.com also says, "Psychological studies of highly creative people have shown that many have a strong interest in apparent disorder, contradiction, and imbalance...."    Is this an interest in non-linear dynamics?  Are small occurrences significantly affecting the outcomes of seemingly unrelated events?  What about the butterfly effect?

On my phone I keep a quote which I look at almost every day.  I don't remember where I saw it, but I think it was gapingvoid.com.

"Make creative work the most important work you do".

These nine words along with some other ideas have driven a lot of the decisions I've made in the last few years.

I'm continuing to  rearranged my personal relationships so they are more conducive to creativity. I'm reducing drama and negativity in my immediate space. I'm finding creative, loving, intelligent people to hang out with.
I'm pursuing my evil plan, spending more time focusing on my photography and a few other projects.  I'm reducing my possessions, changing my living situation, and changing my work so I can concentrate on creative work.

   

   The weather man said major winter storm: snow and ice ahead.

So this is what happened at my house.

  

  Front yard

    

   Back deck and Scrappy
   

What am I grateful for from last year? I've given this a lot of thought.  There are bunches of little things I am grateful for last year.  There are so many things I am thankful for that I decided just to list these major items.  (don't want to bore you to death)

1. Three friends shared a home with me part of the year. It was nice being part of a family unit for a while.
2. My wonderful children who I can always count on.
3. Some huge steps were taken towards full time RV living. 
4. My job has taken a turn for the better.
5. My parent's estate was virtually wrapped up.
6. I remembered many things I'd forgotten.  That remembering has brought more peace.
7. Simplifying my life moved along at a brisk pace.
8. Seems I've lived to tell about it. rofl