From Queso to Catharsis

If I've accomplished anything through this blog, I hope I've inspired you to shift from seeing your life as a path to accepting it as a portfolio.

Life as a path defies the essence of the creative life.

It’s like an author trying to write only one book.

Or a poet trying to write one poem.

Or a painter working on a single painting.

Makes no sense to me.

The essence of the creative life is one of exploration and experimentation.

It’s about trying on new ideas and voices.

It's about testing new platforms and audiences.

It’s about wandering and wondering new landscapes.

It’s about finding comfort in the discomfort of obscurity, ignorance and failure.

And it's about hoping a few of the incredible people you meet along the way, will stay interested and invested as you morph and grow.

Success will come not through your idea, but your execution of the idea.

It is usually an opportunity that reveals itself as you're trying to do something else.

I have dedicated my creative life to this call and these values.

To never let "success" or others' expectations become the root note of my creative life and work.

To never get comfortable with what works in the moment, and cling to it for dear life.

This blog began on July 29, 2009.  I called it Christian Con Queso.

I wanted it to be artsy and absurd.  A sort of anti-blog.  No lists.  No five easy steps to success.  No scan-friendly, recycled take-aways.  No word vomit.  No diatribes.  No contemplating my navel.

At that time, I was writing a well-regarded blog on healthcare marketing.

In social media, I was tweeting and thinking about healthcare issues and challenges.

No one knew I was a poet.

No one knew I was an essayist.

No one knew I had 15 years invested in the craft of creative writing.

I needed a creative, cathartic outlet to feed and relieve my writing in the healthcare world.

I wanted to write very experimental stuff on a variety of topics.

So while smoke billowed from my bustling healthcare marketing factory, I started this little garden to see what might grow.

And I found myself enchanted. 

So much so, I pulled the plug on my healthcare marketing blog and invested my energy in this blog.  A move, at the time, that flew in the face of every marketing and blogging “best practice” in the book.  Trust me, I know: I’m a 20-year marketing veteran who has published articles in the top marketing journals and magazines.

About a year and half ago, I re-named it Keitharsis, because I’ve always been a student of the history of catharsis in the Arts, religion and healthcare.  If you’re not familiar with it, look it up on Wikipedia some time.

Catharsis, as a metaphor and idea, perfectly communicated my interest in teaching about how we can creatively use the unresolvable tensions that exist in our everyday, spiritual and creative lives.  Plus, the word worked in a clever (at least I thought so) way with my first name.

Over time, I started to discover and explore ideas that not only surprised me—ideas about harmony vs. balance, portfolio vs. path, connection vs. expression—they really connected with and caught fire with a sizable number of influential writers, bloggers and artists...like you!

So a blog that started off random and eclectic—like an appetizer—has evolved into a very distinct and complex catalyst for releasing us to a creative life.

In the process, I have come to see myself not only as a writer and thinker, but as a sort of minister to creatives (by “minister” I mean one who tends to the specific needs of another).

We're nearing the three-year mark of this blog.

So what now?  What next?

I think three years makes for a nice season.

And it’s time to enter a new season—a new challenge.

Will you join me?

Have I earned your interest?

This week will mark the end of Keitharsis as a blog.

Tomorrow will be the last "Word-in-a-Word Wednesday".  And on Thursday, I will publish my last essay here.

In that piece, I will share where I’m headed in 2012 and beyond...hopefully with you along for the ride!

Does this mean I will no longer write to you about the creative life, harmony, portfolio living, tensions and connection?

No way!

I’m just getting warmed up!

All it means is I won’t be writing on this platform—this blog.

But there will be another.

Stay tuned!

Comments

[Karen]

Keith :) it would only make sense that you would go forward in bigger and better ways!

Life it all about making changes along the way. I just wrote a huge blog writing that struck everyone around me, including me about how a change happened for me in 5 years.

I have also learned that as much as we want to stay in the familiar, you gain strength in the "unfamiliar" the "unknown".

You are about to take your blog to another level, the "unknown". That is powerful and empowerment!

I think its great that you are taking things to a new level! It's always great to try on new things, and I am sure you are going to make it great - why? because that is you.. a great writer with a great soul!

I look forward to it.. I look forward to seeing you in the unfamiliar to see how you grow in that, and to connect with all of us around that - I wouldn't miss it for the world :)

Karen

[Eileen]

Looking forward to the next series of snapshots in the portfolio!

[Kim]

This: "It is usually an opportunity that reveals itself as you're trying to do something else." has been rattling around in my brain for a few days. Thank you for putting words around it. Maybe it will point me towards a little more "a-ha" and a little less "?!?!"

And as for this: "And it’s time to enter a new season—a new challenge. Will you join me? Have I earned your interest?"...absolutely. I can't wait.

[Debbi McGlauflin]

I'm intrigued and I'm with you, Keith! Onward!

[Suzie Gallagher]

A new season? Yes it is, as we travel along our creative life journey there are many seasons. Some can be chronologically ordered and reflect the seasons we see in nature. Other seasons are out of step, a little winter in summer, a sprinkling of spring in winter or an ending and new beginning.

Although I am relatively new in your circle of followers, I have looked forward to the challenges presented. Your perspective is unique, and you manage to find that little grit in an oyster that produces a pearl. We respond to that 'pearl' of wisdom and from reading others posts, we all have gained tremendously from the journey.

Will you join me? Without a shadow of a doubt.

Blessings to you Keith, as you rebirth...

[Keith Jennings]

Karen,

I hope you know how much I appreciate you, your encouragement and support. It means a lot!

And thank you for recognizing and acknowledging my mantra: to see the familiar in unfamiliar ways.

[Keith Jennings]

Eileen,

Thank you for your comments and tweets! I will do my best to make those “snapshots” as interesting and engaging as possible.

[Keith Jennings]

Kim,

I love seeing what resonates and connects with you! Your ongoing support means the world.

Thank you!

[Keith Jennings]

Debbi,

I have deeply enjoyed our email exchanges. And love your heart and passion and openness.

Let’s stay in touch!

[Keith Jennings]

Suzie,

Love “winter in summer” and the metaphor of seasons that are out of step. Wow! I just might be stealing that! ☺

Your feedback and support are so appreciated. Let’s see where the rabbit hole(s) lead…

[Tony J. Alicea]

I'm both sad and excited. Sad because this blog has been a gold mine for my creative life and I'll be sad to see it go.

Excited because I know you're moving forward and evolving, which is exactly what you inspire me to do. I'll be along for the ride.

Can't wait to see where it takes you...and us.

[Jason Vana]

So I have to admit, when I got to the part of you shutting down this blog, my heart sank. I wanted to scream out NNNNOOOOOOOO in my most Braveheart, wearing a kilt, covered in mud and blood kind of way.

Glad to hear you will still be writing! Looking forward to seeing what the new blog will look like and what the future holds for you. I will definitely be along for the ride!

[Keith Jennings]

Tony,

You've got a direct line to me any time you need it!

I've sincerely appreciated your ongoing support and encouragement. There have been some moments where your comments turned around my day. No joke.

Thank you for everything, Tony! There will be lots more writing to come!

[Keith Jennings]

Jason,

I really appreciate that! I will definitely be writing. Just shifting the "root note" of my life for a season.

Believe it or not, I have 174 essays drafted on the creative life that haven't seen the light of day. So they will eventually find you. And I'm excited you'll stick around to find them!

Keep up your great writing! I'm a reader, my friend!

[BrettRWilkes]

Keith,

This is exciting! Well done, framing it in terms of The Next Step, rather than a sad ending.

I'm in, too. : )

[Keith Jennings]

Brett,

Really appreciate you! Maybe we can, at least, set up a phone conversation in May.

[ThatGuyKC]

What?! The END of Keitharsis? Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve.

[Keith Jennings]

KC,

It will take time to execute, but I do have some things up my sleeve!

[Yvette Carol]

Cool bananas! As they say, the only thing that is constant is change. Keep flying high Keith, I'm super excited to come along for the ride. Keep me on the mailing list bro.
Yvette Carol

[Keith Jennings]

Sure thing, Yvette! Thanks!