What's in a Name? (or A Near-Manifesto)

 

The components

experiment: n a controlled procedure carried out to discover, test or demonstrate something; the practice of experiments

Experiments are forgiving. They can - depending on the level of control applied - imply a certain leniency, permission to try something, fail and learn from it. They're usually for a set period of time with defined goals and yet-to-be-proved outcomes. They're about discovery, study and reflection; progress, not perfection.

Experimenting with something can seem less intimidating than an all-or-nothing approach. It leaves a little breathing room when stepping into unfamiliar territory.

I like that.

life: n ...the physical and mental experiences of an individual; biography; the period of existence; manner of living...

I exist here, on earth, for a finite period of time. During this time I strive to align my physical and mental experiences with my values and priorities, trying to match the exterior to the interior. I believe building this congruence will lead to inner simplicity and an overall more peaceful, less chaotic existence.

I don't expect this to be easy, I just think the potential results are worth a shot.

create: vb to bring into being; cause to exist; make, produce...

I believe that I have a part in creating the unfolding of events. I think I get help along the way from co-creators like my intuition, other people, Mother Nature and my Higher Power (though I'm still fuzzy on how they we all fit together), but in the end I believe that I can choose or produce a personal course of action.

When faced with circumstances beyond my control that may not jive with my preferred choices I can still choose how to deal with them, thus creating a different experience depending on my choice.

The whole

Creative Living Experiment: where it all comes together

My Creative Living Experiment is the process of figuring out what kind of life I want to create and experimenting with different ways of bringing it into being. This blog is where I write about it.

Approached with a healthy mixture of gusto and compassion it's a journey of trial and error, observation and reflection, lessons learned and hopefully some successes. Ultimately, it's a journey in creating alignment of external circumstances with internal values.

Plus I'm an artist, I like to create things, the words flowed well and it was a natural sequel to my Urban Living Experiment. Hence the name.

It's not always all about the profound.

Tell me, what's in your blog name? Why did you choose it? Did it call out to you immediately or did it grow into itself? Does it encompass a dream, a past experience, or is it simply a reminder to stay grounded in the present?

If you feel like sharing why don't you leave your story in the comments or even better, write about it on your blog and leave me a link in the comments! I'm curious.

Comments

[darlene]

i have gone through so many names and each one not quite settling, not quite right. i love hippy urban girl because of the (hug) factor and also because i live a urban hippy life. i am at heart a hippy who gardens and wanders around barefeet with a heart filled with peace and love but i am also a urban girl who likes pounding the pavement and loves grafitti walls and a variety of cultural events and restaurants just outside my door. apparently, hippy urban fashion is the big thing this fall so that tickled me because i am rarely fashionable, hee hee

when my friend maddie visited me last spring and i took her around my city and environment and she spent time in my home, she at one point exclaimed ... 'you are so hippy urban girl!!!!!!' and that made me so happy because i finally found a blog name that fits my life, a name that feels like home :-)

[juliette crane]

it's so nice to come to your beautiful blog! your artwork is so inspiring! i'm just loving the colors!

my blog is "inspired by the little things" which comes from my appreciation in the small moments in life. it was a title that came naturally and without a lot of thought, yet fits me and my art so well. thank you for your inspiration!

xo, juliette

[Steph]

Hello ladies and thank you for sharing your story. :)

Darlene, that story so fits YOU and so does your blog name! Juliette, thank you for the kind words, and for reminding me to take notice of my own small moments.

Stephanie
xo

[Jamie]

I love this post, Stephanie! I love how you bring pull it all together with a perfect, perfect title for your blog :)

When Andrew was born, Jason randomly started calling him Boudreaux. The blog was originally created to keep our out of state family informed of our going-ons. Then it became a bit more of a personal space. After several of my family members commented that it is supposed to be a page for Andrew, I have stopped being so personal. It is now as it was...a space for the kids. I'm not quite brave enough to start a new space all for me.

[amy]

I thought for quite a while about a name for my blog. I wrote about it here:

http://learningtowalkinheels.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-it-means.html

Loving your new blog and you!

xxox

[laura]

I love this and am forwarding your blog to a friend who will also appreciate your "manifesto"!

My blog is named Deeper Than All Roses...part of a line from an ee cummings poem that moves me very much...

"The voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses...nobody, not even the rain has such small hands."

[Steph]

Hi Laura! Thank you so much for you kind words and for stopping by! : )