In Others’ Words: The Blues

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“I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.” ~Duke Ellington (1899-1974), composer & big band leader

 

Y’all know I love quotes.

I especially love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.”

That’s how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, “Huh,” and then I had my husband read the quote.

Here’s the thing about pouting: We all do it. The question is: What do we do with it? Do we let it squelch our creativity — or energize it?

I admit to pouting that sometimes tips over to sulking. But the older I get, the less time I spend in a funk. I give myself an allotted time to be in a bad mood — and then I move on. And you know what? Usually I’m over the mood before the time is up.

Maybe the next time I feel a pout coming on I’ll try the Duke Ellington method and write me some blues — or maybe the next scene in my work-in-progress.

In Your Words: How do you handle a pout? Have you ever turned a funky mood into a creativity session?