Welcome to 2023! I hope you're easing into this new year at exactly the right pace for you—whatever that may be.
Let's begin with a quote from Picasso—and—if for any reason, you're not a fan of his, just separate the message from "The Messenger" and see what might serve you in your
practice.
His rule of thumb was:
"Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist."
Sound advice if you ask me—and— I bet you're already doing this in certain aspects of your life. You learn the "basics", the "rules", and then adapt them accordingly to meet your needs.
For instance, let's stick with something pretty mundane and unloaded—following a recipe. The first few times you probably keep to the instructions exactly: specific measurements combined just so; the right utensils; no deviation when it comes to ingredients as you follow along step by step.
And how different is the process for you once you "know" the recipe and don't need to follow it at all? when you ditch or substitute one of the ingredients? when you alter the set up or cooking time? when you put your own spin on the originall?
The results are often better than the initial foray, aren't they?
Why? Because you took the basic knowledge and made it your own. Think about it, in many ways,
it sounds exactly like how an artist makes art, doesn't it?
How do you "Break The Rules" (2:38) in your life?
