"I had an interesting discussion once with a professional counselor who pointed out that his experience with people with artistic temperaments was that they were highly undisciplined. He referred to us as free spirits who are usually messy, highly unorganized, always late for appointments, and irresponsible with personal finances . . . the misconception surrounding discipline is that it's a lot of work for nothing and is never any fun. But I think we in the arts know better, don't we? Who understands the value of discipline more than an artist? For us, it's just common sense. If you want to become an accomplished artist, you have to have a fair mount of discipline. In fact, discipline reaps rewards. There is always a payoff for the hard work you put in, something enjoyable and completely wonderful waiting at the end." Rory Noland, The Heart of the Artist
"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing.To him he's always doing both." James Michener
"If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post."Psalm 63:4-6
Many of us are parents, and we know this concept of discipline is a challenge we face as we raise our kids. Why is it that taking the Barbie's out of the toy box is fun, but placing them back in is torture? It's almost the same act! : ) Who decides what's work and what's play? How do we as "begin with the end in mind" (7 Habits)? We will have to find a balance as we work hard and play hard toward our goal of excellence for the kingdom. I'm looking forward to both sides, knowing the rewards are far greater than we could imagine (but we certainly got a sneak peek as we saw over 600 people walked through a door!)
Question #1: (Getting to know each other) What do you consider "work", and what do you consider "play"?
For me, "work" would definitely involve math of some kind or a boring lecture by someone who doesn't care about what they are speaking about, and "play" would be anything surrounding words or stories. Lauren redefines the word "play" for me every day. That kid can make a game out of anything!
Question #2: Why do you think artists are often associated with being undisciplined? How would you argue either side of the debate?
Question #3: As we move forward with a more disciplined structure, what rewards do you anticipate for the team, the church, and the kingdom?
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Work or Play? Any activity that brings me joy is play. That can mean re-arranging a room, painting a wall or mowing the lawn. I may be exhausted when done but still rejuvenated. Work is anything outside my sweet spot or shape. I may manage to do the thing well but it feels like a weight on my heart, a squashing of spirit. A real grind - and I probably didn't smile much while doing it.
OK...artsy people "generally" aren't disciplined... However, what I've seen of some of the best people in Hollywood- they are incredibly disciplined in their art- Al Pacino speaks in whatever accent he needs for a role for weeks and sometimes months prior to doing the role- it was a very interesting interview on Larry King- For our team?
People interpret the term "volunteer" many ways- but it seems to generally fall in two camps- 1. This is my extra time, I'm doing something good, whatever I do is a gift for whomever is on the other end, if I have time, I may do this, and if someone tells me to do something differently...uh..excuse me... you should be happy I'm at least trying to help- back off- And, it's left-over time.
2. Great volunteers want to give with excellence, they understand the "why" behind what they're doing, it's not about them, they respect the leadership that's in place and serve, they're dependable, and they help carry the load to get over and around hurdles.
For our team, discipline will mean pressing in, being on-time, prepared, positive, and being continuous learners of this art. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of something like this- why would we be casual? Vision helps with discipline.
Side Note: I spoke with Jeff Petersen... it's time to make a movie... anyone "down" with that?
Side Note #2- I'm going to get some dessert, spend money I don't have, mess-up my house, and not shower for 3 days... it's the life of the artist...someone's gotta do it. :)
1) Work and play...I don't know, I think the line between those is often blurred, but you can find pleasure in both. I usually play best away from home, where I don't feel the pressures of all the things that I need to get done, but can just 'be.'
2) I think artists are often associated with be undisciplined because they can so easily focus on the thing that they love and get disctracted from the more mundane, but necessary tasks in life. And goodness knows that's not always bad - think of the sistene chapel.
3) I think a more disciplined structure will help us bond as a team - and help us be more prepared and our skills further developed.
I think that artists being considered undisciplined goes along with the stereotype of an artist being "moody, temperamental,and even unapproachable". I think that, as artists, we have to be even more disciplined than most...practice, using our time wisely to learn lines, staging, being available for last minute changes, hard work!, all takes extreme amounts of discipline and dedication to our craft.
I'm excited about this new disciplined approach to our drama ministry. I've been involved in ministries (in other churches, of course!) where there is no structure, no striving for excellence, "good enough is good enough". And it showed. How is that giving God our best??
How do I define work? Anything I HAVE to do!!! Play is anything I GET to do!!!
work?--ugh..probably anything financial. We have an accountant that comes to our office twice a month to do our books. When he starts talking to me about financial stuff, I'm sure I look like a deer in headlights--I try, I really do...but listening to or doing financial things is work. Most of the time, my "work" is play. I'm so blessed to be in a position to have my own company with a terrifc partner (She doesn't like financial stuff either....)and we can be creative for our clients-and get paid for it! How cool is that? Sure, lots of hours-time committments--(that discipline stuff you know.....)but when the creative gets results-its gratifying...#2 I'm not sure about the lack of discipline in artists. I think some folks think that discipline is in the 8-5 work day-but the creative is always thinking-dreaming-observing-They are open to the world around them. Maybe its that "to the beat of a different drummer" thing. 3-Music moves people. Everyone has a favorite song-or a song that brings memories, tears, smiles. Drama and media does that as well. People relate to our stories and situations on stage. And we will help change lives. There is so much talent around us--I'm hoping that a "disciplined" stucture - (is that the right word?) will create the environment to make that grow. This blog will help. When we need an idea, a story line-we have so much to draw from..
1. Work consists of things I have to do that I don't get any internal sense of satisfaction. Things like going to the office during the week, cutting the grass, cleaning the house, etc. Play consists of things I do where I do get some internal satisfaction, like playing sports, doing dramas for GCC, hanging out with my kids (for as long as they'll have me!).
2. I think people look at what an artist does as not "real work".
Society says adding value is something like contributing to the economy (having a job, making a product or service), improving the value of something physical like a house, etc. Many people look at what we do as not important. Instead of "wasting time" with a little "skit" we could be working more or pursuing something society thinks is important. As a result we probably come off as people with our priorities in the wrong place or, maybe said another way, undisciplined.
3. Rewards for the team: Closer relationships and better actors. Reward for the church: A ministry that hits even closer to the heart of it's members thus allowing the sermons to have an even better impact. Rewards for kingdom: More members!!!!
#1 Play to me always has to be enjoyable and very carefree. Work is something that takes a great deal of effort, often it has great rewards, sometimes it's very enjoyable and fulfilling and sometimes it's tedious, strenuous, and not so enjoyable.
#2 I believe all artists have to or had to in the past, be disciplined to achieve any proficiency in their art. However, they may not be disciplined in other areas of life.
#3 As a new member of this team, I'm looking forward to working with you all! I'm excited to work with a group of artists again and I HOPE we will be disciplined to work, to become better actors, and to push each other.
RESPONSE TO MARK'S SIDE: I'm game if you guys want to make a movie - count me in!
Work is any activity that the joy has been sucked out. For me playing golf can be work if I'm in a match that is going poorly or fighting the wind and rain when I'm fly fishing can be work. I think the operatve word here is "joy". I have found that the joy sucker is my attitude. I can't tell the times I've kicked my self for having a bad attitude when my wife has asked me to do/help her with some project. My first thought is how much work it is going to be and there goes my joy, along with her joy and if momma don't have no joy nobody has joy.
Christ exorts us to have joy in all we do and if we do this I feel there is no difinitive line disecting work and play. Life is work and play is life.
Anyone who generalizes artists as undisciplined has never memorized a score or a dance routine or a script. It's like saying all cops eat donuts. They don't....do they?
Discipline is cotagious. Like Mark said "why would we be causual?" Where would Chritians be today had Christ been undisciplined?
Discipline drives excellence. As Sherry said "good enough is good enough" is never good enough.
Oops..I just slid off my soap box. PMM
Work is when I have to get up to an alarm, and be somewhere I don't really want to go. Sometimes work = fulfillment: helping others, making a difference.
Play is whatever brings the opportunity to laugh until I hurt, or to make others laugh, cry, learn, or recognize our commonality. This would include (especially) clowning, pretending, assuming the role of the other.
Artists are undisciplined: That association is from those who have never walked a mile in an artist's shoes. They may believe that creation just springs forth full blown!
Artists know the turmoil that lies within, until finally we birth what we believe is the closest we can come to revelation. Rarely does this happen without angst, or pain!
Rewards:
For the team, a sense of community, family and humanness.
For the church we will offer those snapshot moments when our audience says, "That is me! I didn't know I wasn't alone. I can be part of this."
For the kingdom I foresee the ripple effect. We witness the first ripples when the pebble enters the pond, but we will likely never know who those first results will affect, and who those second results will affect, and so on.
Janet
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