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Melvira
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 28, 2006
Posts: 6619
Location: Lost Nation, Iowa
Birthday: Sep 20
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 Posted:
Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:12 pm |
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I had gotten to the point where I stressed over cakes. Some of the fun was gone, I just dreaded doing them because they often did not turn out like I had wanted. The way I dreamt them, or planned them. I am an incredibly creative person and am always down on myself for every little flaw in a cake. I know you've done it too... things that 'normal' people can't even see stick out like a huge blinking neon sign to you. And so you feel like you truly stink. My husband sent me a link to a short talk given by Elizabeth Gilbert on handling the 'creative beast' that lives within you. It changed my life. Now, I make a cake, do the best I can do, and leave the rest up to fate. I don't pick them apart, I look at them as a whole and say, "That's a nice cake. They will really enjoy it." I want to share this with any of you who have been or are in that same place, and for those of you who are already familiar with her, I'd love to know if this helped you like it did me. She is bright, funny, but most importantly, she gives you PERMISSION to not be perfect all the time. What a relief. I have since bought the book "Eat, Pray, Love" that she refers to, and am about to start reading it. I cannot wait. I hope to glean something amazing from it, and if I do, I will let you know. If I don't, well... this little video clip was MORE than I ever could've asked for from her. Please enjoy, and if you need to, watch it repeatedly. Make it your mantra.
http://www.pvponline.com/2009/.....reativity/ |
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kentuckyjode
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 01, 2007
Posts: 109
Location: lexington,ky
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:23 pm |
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Melvira....you will love the book! Lots of good lessons in it and so much fun to read! |
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indydebi
Forum Matriarch
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 23778
Location: Indianapolis IN
Birthday: Jan 19
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:43 pm |
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Wow, that was really home-hitting. Adding to my "favorite quotes" list:
| Quote: | | "Just show up. Just keep doing your job". ....Elizabeth Gilbert |
Which goes alongside one of my favorite Trump quotes (which is paraphrased from Churchill): Never give up. Never. never. never. This is so important it needs to be repeated. Never Ever EVER give up. |
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amberkw
Regular Member
Joined: Jul 06, 2009
Posts: 180
Location: Southeastern Georgia
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:26 pm |
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Melvira,
I just watched Elizabeth Gilbert's talk. It was fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing. As a beginner in the cake decorating, I find it hard sometimes, because in my own mind I have a little OCD when it comes to my cakes. I want them to be PERFECT. BUt the reality is, they can't because I am a beginner. When I have made a cake and people go on & on about how great it is (thank goodness they don't see flaws like I do.), I am really hard on myself when I am on to my next project, because it has to be better than the last. She really gave me a new perspective on creativity, and perfection & genius. I will definitely go back to her talk again & again. I will also have to remind myself - If its ugly, SO WHAT!? It is still going to taste great. Let's eat cake!  Thanks a mill for sharing. PS - I'd love to hear how her book is. Maybe one day I will have an opportunity to read it. Right now w/ 3 little ones, its all I can do to bake my cakes! |
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Kitagrl
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jun 16, 2005
Posts: 4836
Location: NE Philly suburbs
Birthday: Jan 31
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:33 pm |
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I get that way too....I am rarely completely satisfied with a cake!!!! |
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Melvira
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 28, 2006
Posts: 6619
Location: Lost Nation, Iowa
Birthday: Sep 20
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:02 pm |
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I'm so glad that this is speaking to others as it spoke to me. She is charming and humorous, but under that there is a really valuable message. You're not perfect, and it's OK. And the majority of the time, our 'less than perfect' work is absolutely astoundingly perfect in someone else's eyes. I simply adore this brilliant woman now. She's on my list of wonderful people I'd just love to sit down and have lunch with, and talk until our tongues fall out.  |
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Ruth0209
Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 09, 2007
Posts: 1181
Location: Scenic Idaho
Birthday: Feb 09
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:10 pm |
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Melvira, thank you for passing this along. That was a very powerful message.
I really liked Eat, Pray, Love a lot. I hope you do, too. |
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stsapph
Frequent Member
Joined: Jan 25, 2008
Posts: 429
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Birthday: Nov 06
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:22 pm |
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I had listened to this when Scott originally posted it, as I follow the strip. It was good to listen to it again though. Thanks so much for the reminder! As you can see from one of my cakes, Scott has inspired me as well... |
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maisyone2
Regular Member
Joined: Jan 26, 2006
Posts: 170
Location: Macomb County MI
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Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:36 pm |
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Rylan needs to see this video. |
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5ricecakes
Newbie
Joined: May 13, 2008
Posts: 5
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Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:13 am |
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WOW! My husband and sister-in-law tell me that all the time! I want perfection and always see the flaws...But I attribute it to the fact that people are also spending quite a bit of money on this cake...
Thanks for the reality check/blessing! <3 |
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organicakes
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 25, 2008
Posts: 605
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Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:14 am |
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[/i]
Same here. I was a perfectionist with my cakes. This year I let go.
I'm happy celebrating a birthday or special occasion with family and friends. If cake is not perfect. So What!
It's the event that is meaningful. The process of baking, creating and decorating is fun.
I attend cake shows and conventions. I know I can't match the food network chefs etc. but I learn from them. Also I get my inspiration from here. CC is a wonderful place to get ideas and tips. |
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fiftieshousewife
Regular Member
Joined: Jan 24, 2009
Posts: 178
Location: Yorkshire UK
Birthday: Jun 02
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Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:45 am |
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Wow, thanks so much for that I can't believe how much resonance it strikes in me... I've only watched it half way through, thanks to my two year old but will finish later, already though I feel vindicated and so much better (lots of self doubt and stress lately) so thanks!!!!! |
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-Tubbs
Forum Addict
Joined: May 25, 2007
Posts: 1341
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
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Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:20 am |
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Thanks for posting. I liked it a lot, and also sent it on to my extremely creative sister who is frequently crippled by perfectionism.
May we all keep showing up for work. |
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enchantedcreations
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2009
Posts: 49
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Birthday: Nov 21
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Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:44 am |
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Thank you posting, really it's home. I too have been very hard on myself regarding the finished cakes. My friends have gotten mad at me 'cause I point out what I think are problems. They don't see any issues. They ooh and ahh and go on about them. I just pick them apart and discuss what I need to do differently the next time around. But I need to relax and just enjoy the "cake" and not get caught up in the work part of it. Elizazbeth Giblert is an wonderful speaker; can't wait to read her book. |
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dstbni
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 09, 2009
Posts: 171
Location: North Dakota
Birthday: Jul 05
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Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:52 am |
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Thanks Melvira. What a wonderful way of looking at it! |
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