What Diabetes Taught Me As A Creative Person

More than 30 years ago, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (it used to be called juvenile diabetes; I wasn't a juvenile when I got it, though). It's been a challenge and a teacher.

Here's some of what I've learned from diabetes that is crucially helpful in my work (and play) as a poet, singer, and creative person:

1. It's never perfect.

2. What works one day doesn't work another.

3. Conversely, what doesn't work one day does work another. So keep a record of your previous drafts/approaches, stand back and assess context, and watch the trend.

4. Your body is not you; it's your instrument, lens, and primary companion. So take care of it.

5. Allow variation. To quote my vocal coach Jane Sharp, that's where the beauty is.

6. There's always more room for pleasure.

7. There's always a place for discipline. If not daily, almost daily. By that I just mean: "do your practice," "follow your plan." But see 5. and 6.

8. Use the technology that feels easy to adopt and manage.

9. Write stuff down. You won't always remember it.

10. Meditate.

11. Mortality is your friend. It makes the moment sweeter.

12. Sing. This goes for everyone. Admit it, you want to. Follow the lead of the angels, the animals, the birds, the insects, and the babies. It's the grown-up human way too. And it heals.

copyright © 2015 Lisa Bernstein