Get Weird. Take Risks. Leave a Mark.
A parenting story about skateboards, sewer rocks, and the radical punk rock of creativity.
This weekend, my daughter finished 8th grade. A milestone that looked nothing like I once imagined it would. For her, finding a natural fit with school has never come easy. The road to education has been winding, unconventional, and deeply self-directed. And along the way, she’s taught me more about trust, resilience, and creativity than I ever expected.
She’s a total dynamo.
Someday, I’ll write more about what it’s like to raise a child who began advocating for her own education at the age of three; who, at nine, announced during the pandemic lockdown that she would not be returning to school; then quietly took about two years off of school to pursue skateboarding; and against nearly everyone’s expectations (not ours but professionals nonetheless - thanks for that), was later accepted to one of the top high schools in the country. All of this unfolded while her two parents worked full-time and managed life with a couple of dogs in tow.
It’s been a winding road, one where I often couldn’t see the destination. It has been a true exercise in doing the next right thing, in honoring my daughter’s autonomy, and in trusting that, on some deep level, she knew herself well enough to craft her own education. And she continues to do just that. Piecing it together through online school, teaching skateboarding, and singing in one or two rock bands. In many ways, we are a family that consistently colors outside the lines.
When she was invited to speak at her 8th grade promotion ceremony, we spent a few days brainstorming ideas. Mostly, I listened. She mused about skateboarding, performing with her band, and what it means to be 14 and have spent so much of her life far outside the box. I was certain she’d land on the many lessons of skateboarding: its tight-knit community, the long apprenticeship in failure it requires, the ongoing dialogue with fear, and the art of getting up after each fall.
To my surprise, she chose instead to tell a story about something that happened when she was four: the day she jammed a large rock into the sewer grate around the corner from our house. It’s still there, by the way, we pass it every time we walk the dogs. I hadn’t realized how potent a reminder it was for her, but she thinks about the meaning of that act each time we wander by.
Standing at the podium Saturday afternoon with her skater punk hair and combat boots speaking in front of some of the finest scientific and innovative minds in the country, she spoke about that rock. About curiosity. Risk and how even a seemingly silly act can leave a permanent mark.
That rock didn’t just fall through the grate unnoticed. It got stuck. Took up space. Altered the structure of what was there. It changed the way life moves through that corner of the world, even now, a decade later.
And that, she said, is what curiosity and courage can do. Whether it’s a rock, a creative project, a new idea, or an unconventional path, they shape the world in small but lasting ways. They make room for something new.
As we drove home later that evening, I kept thinking about her words.
Her self-designed educational path, non-linear, and often counter to expectations has been exactly that: a practice in taking up space, challenging structures, and leaving a mark. Not by following a prescribed route, but by making her own.
And in many ways, that is the creative process itself.
When we make art, write, design, build, and lead, we wedge something of ourselves into the existing grid of the world. We take up space. We alter what was there before.
Creativity at this scale requires curiosity. It requires risk. It requires trusting that even if the outcome is uncertain, it is worth leaving a mark and trying something a little bold, a little odd, and unexpected.
This is the essence of innovation, of creativity: to change the shape of things, one deliberate act at a time.
To those of us in complete disbelief we have high schoolers, preschoolers, middle schoolers, graduates, and full fledged adults, congratulations on every single day that got us all here and blessings on every single day forward. Parenting is no joke.
To the kids out there on this glorious precipice of transition, have fun, get weird, and be a little punk rock. I cannot wait to see what you change.
Creativity is so damn cool.
xxx
Lisa
THE CREATIVE
Welcome to The Creative. Twice a month I share quotes from the books, Art is the Highest Form of Hope, Every Day a Word Surprises Me, and The Creative Act. I find perspectives on the creative process to be so meta when it comes to life. We are a creative process and everything we do is subject to the same rules. Creation is non-linear. It's messy. It moves forward and backward. And also gets stuck. Oftentimes we do not realize the purpose of a singular creative process until years later. Creativity likes to surprise us.
“Test everything.” - Rick Rubin
Such a simple phrase, and yet such a potent directive for a creative life. Testing, at its core, invites curiosity over certainty. It’s an open door to possibility, experimentation, and yes, even failure. Testing removes the burden of needing to know and replaces it with the freedom to discover.
But testing is not a passive act, it asks something of us as creative leaders. It asks us to bring a level of mastery to our process. The ability to observe without immediate judgment, to hold clarity about what we are testing for, and to maintain a neutral stance as we evaluate what emerges.
In the testing phase, clarity and neutrality are paramount. Without them, we risk being swayed by external energies, bias, or attachment to familiar patterns and outcomes. Leadership in the creative process means cultivating the perspective to truly see what works, what doesn’t, and what might be asking for a different approach altogether.
This is where mastery of your creative process becomes essential. Whether in the studio, the boardroom, the classroom, or on stage, wherever ideas are born and refined, your ability to test with clarity and neutrality determines the quality of the insights you uncover. You are not searching for the right answer, but listening for resonance. What serves the work, the audience, the vision?
Leadership in creativity can be about certainty, but it is also about creating the conditions where curiosity thrives and innovation can take root. Testing is one of your sharpest tools. Use it well.
Where can you bring more intentional testing into your creative process?
How might deeper clarity or neutrality expand your perspective?
What can you release to create more space for discovery?
BY DESIGN
This section of my newsletter began as a resource for my clients who use Human Design to deepen their creative practice. In Mentorship, we explore Human Design as a starting point, a way to understand creativity as energy, moving toward energetic sovereignty and mastery of the creative process.
Currently, my private Human Design reading appointments are fully booked. These in-depth sessions are in high demand and released in limited seasonal rounds. If working together 1:1 is of interest, I invite you to join the waitlist to be the first notified when new reading appointments open. These sessions offer a personalized, artful exploration of your unique design and how to align it with your creative life.
When you join the waitlist, you'll also receive an invitation to download your free Human Design chart and Starter Kit to help you begin exploring your chart and creative flow right away.
FULL MOON
6-11-25
Sagittarius
Gate 26
The Energy of Expansion and Authentic Influence
The Full Moon on June 11, 2025, in Sagittarius highlights themes of exploration, authenticity, and the power of belief. Sagittarius, the adventurous and philosophical Fire sign, governs this lunar phase, emphasizing expansion, wisdom, and the pursuit of higher truth. This celestial event occurs in the 9th House, spotlighting our beliefs, personal growth, and the ways we share knowledge and influence with others.
Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius inspires us to explore beyond our comfort zones, embrace freedom, and seek purpose in our endeavors. This Full Moon offers an opportunity to reflect on the beliefs and ideals that guide us, releasing anything that no longer aligns with our truth. It encourages us to connect with our inner wisdom and to boldly share our insights and stories in ways that uplift and inspire others.
Paired with Gate 26, The Gate of the Egoist, this Full Moon amplifies the energy of influence, integrity, and authentic self-expression. Gate 26 in Human Design is associated with the ability to communicate effectively, persuade with authenticity, and harness charisma to create meaningful impact. It invites us to reflect on how we wield influence—whether from a place of ego or aligned purpose—and to ensure our actions serve both our personal goals and the collective good.
This Full Moon in Sagittarius and Gate 26 encourages us to step into our power as leaders, influencers, and storytellers. It’s a time to align our actions with our higher values, refine our ability to communicate with authenticity, and trust in the wisdom we have to offer.
Journal Prompts to Align with the Energy of the Full Moon
Explore your beliefs: What core beliefs guide your decisions and actions? Are there any beliefs that no longer resonate with your truth or purpose?
Reflect on your influence: How do you use your voice and presence to impact others? Are your actions and communications aligned with authenticity and integrity?
Embrace expansion: Where in your life do you feel ready to explore new opportunities or perspectives? How can you step boldly into these areas with confidence and curiosity?
Balance ego and service: In what ways can you honor your personal desires while contributing to the greater good? How can you ensure your influence uplifts others as well as yourself?
This Full Moon in Sagittarius and Gate 26 invites you to embrace the dual power of self-confidence and service. It’s a time to release outdated beliefs, trust in your wisdom, and communicate with purpose and authenticity to inspire growth and connection in others.
Curious about how this energy aligns with your unique Human Design and creative process? Join the waitlist for a 1:1 Human Design Reading. These sessions offer a personalized, artful exploration of your unique design and how to align it with your creative life.
When you join the waitlist, you'll also receive an invitation to download your free Human Design chart to help you begin exploring your chart and creative flow right away.
SOLAR TRANSIT
6-13-25
Gate 12
The Gate of Caution
On June 13, the sun gracefully moves through Gate 12, also known as the Gate of caution, marking a celestial shift that beckons you to embrace the essence of artistic and emotional expression. This gate channels deep emotions into sophisticated forms of art, particularly through eloquent language. Individuals with Gate 12 are driven by an intrinsic desire to create and share beauty, art, and grace with the world, guided by an impeccable sense of aesthetic discernment.
This gate also imposes rigorous standards, often holding people, organizations, and artistic creations to exceptionally high levels of perfection. The discerning nature of Gate 12 can sometimes lead to challenges in interpersonal relationships, as its critical eye and refined taste may be perceived as elitism or arrogance.
To optimize the potential of Gate 12, it is essential to engage in artistic endeavors such as poetry and other expressive arts to process and clarify emotions. This approach is particularly effective for those with a defined Solar Plexus but remains universally beneficial. Through the disciplined practice of channeling emotions into art, individuals can achieve greater emotional clarity and contribute meaningfully to the cultural landscape.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on a recent experience where you felt a strong emotional response. How can you channel these emotions into a creative expression, such as poetry, writing, or art?
2. Consider the high standards you hold for yourself and others. How do these expectations influence your relationships and creative work? What steps can you take to balance these standards with compassion and understanding?
3. Think about a time when your words may have unintentionally provoked or challenged someone. How can you refine your communication to express your thoughts more gracefully and constructively?
4. Explore your vision of beauty and grace. How do these ideals shape your artistic expressions and everyday life? How can you use your refined taste to inspire and elevate your creative projects?
Next week, A reminder, next week writer and journalist
of Off-Balance will be bringing his insights to These Three Things! I hope you will join us in the practice next week and share what you have been noticing. It’s open to all!
This week in These Three Things, I’m exploring why it’s okay if everything is hard and how choosing the right hard things can make life feel lighter.
I also share a surprising discovery about the role of nervous system work in the creative process (this one is changing everything for me), and the power of saying yes to wonder even when plans aren’t perfect.
This one’s about skateboards, live music, and the creative life that we all love.
These weekly reflections are where I share what I'm noticing beneath the surface, where intuition, energy, and creative practice meet. This week, we honor softness, sovereignty, and honest presence.
These Three Things is available for paid subscribers only. A quiet, focused space for thoughtful prompts, honest process, and building a reflective creative rhythm, even when the world feels tender.
Come take your seat at the table. We begin again each Sunday.
Upgrade your subscription to join us.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to MUSE to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.