Guitar

The cigar box guitar saw a resurgence during the Great Depression. It is a perfect name because it is exactly that–a guitar made from a cigar box. A slat of wood, a few strings or wires, and a cigar box can be assembled into a functioning guitar. Several incredible artists like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Bo Diddley started on cigar box guitars. Even Paul McCartney of The Beatles played around on one. Their low cost made them especially popular among aspiring blues musicians.

To create something special, we rarely need more than we have. Creativity does not live outside of constraints. Creativity is accomplishing something within the confines of our current environment. Simon Sinek articulated this experience as (lack of time) + (lack of resources) + (optimism) = innovation. 

The cold reality: all of life is living within constraints. We have finite time, money, and space. I cannot wait for the perfect circumstances to begin creating or innovating. I must understand which constraints are real, which are changeable, and then apply an optimistic attitude towards creating something. Creating something great. 

Have I imposed constraints that are not real? Do I acknowledge the real ones? Am I using these as an excuse to never start on the hard work? Am I missing out on the deeply enriching effort of creating something special?

Be curious, be kind, be whole, do good things.