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There is a wonderful old Chinese proverb that I love, 'A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving'. I think about my personal approach to musical projects much like a travel writer might approach the preparation for a book. You latch on to a certain theme or historical event and follow that into the unknown, while, at the same time, expanding on those themes.

Loreena McKennitt#19

MusicCreativityExplorationPlanningTravel

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker compares their musical process to travel writing, favoring open exploration over fixed plans.
In plain terms
Good travelers and artists stay flexible instead of sticking to plans.
What can you take from it?
Stay open to unexpected paths.

Where it applies

  • planning projects
  • creative work
  • travel

Putting it to work

  • avoid rigid plans
  • follow interests
  • expand themes

Questions to consider

  • Do plans limit creativity?
  • Is arrival important?

Another view

Open-endedness can lack direction and completion.

More from Loreena McKennitt

  1. I lost myself to him and laid my face upon my lover's breast And care and grief grew dim as in the morning's mist became the light There they dimmed amongst th…

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  2. Until the early nineties, I was under the impression that the Celts were this mad collection of anarchists from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. When I saw an exhi…

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  3. Within my pounding heart which kept itself entirely for him He fell into his sleep beneath the cedars all my love I gave From o'er the fortress walls the wind …

    Permalink to quote #17

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