ANIMAL GRIEF

 On and on, and ON went a recent article in Time Magazine 
 -- "The Mystery of Animal Grief." (that's a link).

Author Jeffrey Kluger quoted experts, authors, scientists, researchers, who have studied emotion in animals -- all kinds of animals, elephants to ants. And concluded, after many tests, controlled studies, and films -- that "beasts honor, mourn, and even hold wakes for their dead -- beasts  feel grief and much more."

My husband and I had a Lhasa Apso we bought when she was six-weeks-old, to be a pal, companion, and teacher for our five-year-old son, JD. That's why we named our puppy, "Teechi."

We lived in a five-story building on a busy commercial street in Manhattan. Teechi had a very friendly, loving, personality that became more so, as she responded to training -- learned her name, responded to sit -- here Teechi -- no -- nice Teechi -- bad dog -- walk?  Any sentence with "walk" in it got Teechi, grabbing her leash.

More than likely, you know this story. Teechi became a part of our family. But as our son was growing up and my husband and I succeeded in our professions (which involved a lot of traveling), our pet stayed with a neighbor. Teechi finally became part of the neighbor's family, until she died at age 12.

In my mind, Teechi is still alive, frisking around -- I chuckle, and remember moments with her, sometimes feel guilty that we couldn't take her with us when we traveled, but more than anything, I truly miss her.

Kluger's article told me nothing about what I'd like to know.  Why do we need pets? Why are pets so important?

Throughout time, even in ancient history, pets are referred to as a huge part of peoples' lives. Beloved and adored like children, when they die, they're mourned forever -- as a lost child or a dead parent is mourned.

What is it?  Is it that we, as parents, even as grandparents, remain the child?  Is the pet you -- the innocent, needy, hungry, helpless part of you that needs loving care -- petting, treats, pleasures as well as feeding, exercise, and grooming?

I find myself thinking that you -- yes, YOU -- need what you give your pet, and giving it to your pet nurtures you -- that loving a pet, tending a pet keeps you alive.

ME, ME, ME.

Are you part of the new younger generation?

Are you focused on YOU -- how you feel, what you're going to do today, what you're going to wear -- what you want, where you're heading, what you think, like, love, approve of?

From my couch, where older-wiser folks who are on their way out of the world, (like me), can lean back against the pillows and observe the kids, I see it's the pattern. We were center stage -- used to be -- and now we've been upstaged, crowded out into the wings (the offstage areas) because all the newbies, those bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, fast-brained kiddies are entering and centering themselves.

Yes, I think in "theater" terms. I was sure, when I was a newbie, that my ideas were new, fresh, fascinating, unique -- no one was thinking of doing what I was doing. I was sure that when what you're doing is new, it's truly exciting, and people will pay money to see it -- at the very least -- they'll pay attention.

Back in those days, I thought new music needed to be louder. I made passionate pronouncements about current events, inventing phases, combining baby talk and French or Yiddish words. Of course, I wore outlandish outfits -- weird things around my neck and wrists as if they were  jewelry. I wore capes -- full-length swirling, flowing capes --  even got my husband to wear them. 

Nowadays, I complain: New music is too loud; new behavior is often crude and silly sexy in an effort to be sexy. I find much of the current lingo, like cray, swaggy, derp, just boring, nonsensical -- good slang is essential if you want to be groovy, cool, or with it.  

Does groovy, cool, with it date me?  Well, the new crop of kids are no more me-me-me than I was. I know I'm on the way to the top of the hill -- to the tip-top place where going up is actually going down.

Yep, I'm there along with pals, peers, tweet followers, FB and real-life friends. We are just doing what we have to do in order to feel vital, important, -- pooh poohing, pitying, and putting down the younger generation.


That's all. We're proudly right on with it, 

AND
AWESOME COOL, SUPER GROOVY.   

CREATIVITY

Talk-talk, number-numbers, opinions-opinions -- lots of jabber about what -- about "creativity" as potentially money-making ideas.

I think it's hammering, squashing, crushing and compressing creativity.

I am convinced that the analysis of creativity, the defining of the creative process in "How To" textbooks -- the teaching of creativity in college classes is killing creativity.

KILLING  IT? Yep, like weed killer kills weeds -- the weeds grow but can't thrive.

Creative ideas are weeds. They crowd out what is deemed helpful, important and attractive  (as in "nice to look at").  Weeds crowd-out pretty flowers, so of course we kill the weeds.

In April, at the Creativity Conference of  2013 -- sponsored by Time, Microsoft, and the Motion Picture Association of America, to discuss creativity's role in academics, the workplace, its potential as a force for good around the world -- the guest speaker, Bill Clinton, who always (almost always) has constructive ideas to contribute, made a 45 minute speech, during which he talked about the importance of creativity for mankind, America, and our economy.

Oh yes indeed, he got applause for being Bill, the brilliant, articulate but relaxed idea man who gathers facts, factors, and invariably presents a plan of action.

Click this link -- there was no plan -- but you'll hear Bill rambling, telling the audience that creativity was great.

Hey, it is! Creativity is in all of us, but how to sense it, wake it up, get oneself  creating --  that's what's important. It's THERE -- but you've got to listen to the murmurs and whispers inside you  -- pay attention to how you feel when you wake, eat, start working but aren't yet working, just getting ready to focus.

There is a voice, a sense, an intuition. It ho-hums, hisses, even yells -- more often, in a childlike tone, says, wish I could do this -- wouldn't it be interesting to do that... why don't I just do it 

Hear that voice, try whatever it is -- laughing, dare-deviling, or disobediently ignoring everything else that you're set to do. Just do. Do whatever you can do to let the thought grow.  

You've got to be courageous if something creative visits your mind.

Here's "Why Man Creates" -- an award winning 25 minute documentary.  Even if you don't have time right now, take a look. I have to admit I don't really understand it, but somehow it's conveying what I feel and KNOW about creativity.