CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As we enjoy these summer days (at least the ones that don't involve 100 percent humidity), it can be a time to indulge in our favorite leisure activities. In today's world, though, we often don't know how to turn off the switch from work-related pursuits to leisure pursuits.

The very definition of leisure, according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, is "freedom provided by the cessation of activities; time free from work." And yet our work ethic can drive us to want to make that project just perfect!

Part of this drive may come from all the information that's at our disposal these days. The Internet has countless websites devoted to our very passions. Or just surf the channels on TV, and you'll find comparisons on networks like Do It Yourself, HGTV and Discovery, just to name a few - or shows like "Project Runway" that show what you can whip up under an extreme deadline with just a few materials.

Which is all well and good IF we take the information and channel it appropriately. More than likely, though, we tend to compare our efforts with others we see. Before ya know it, here comes that internal judge in his/her black robe to remind us:

You're not doing it right.

What makes you think you can be a designer/painter/guitar player? Or sing, dance or write?

What were you thinking?

PUH-LEASE ... stop fooling yourself.

Sound familiar? I tune into that same "radio station" in my head sometimes, too.

I ran across something the other day that was a helpful reminder for me. In my ongoing organizational project at home (talk about the internal judge showing up), I found an article that was sent to me by my musical mentor, Ron Sowell. As you may know, Ron is a wonderful singer/songwriter, the leader of the "Mountain Stage" band and the musical director at the Unity church, among other things. I love the work he does with kids - and the way he instills a love of music in them. Now that's one group that can stay in the moment and not have "the judge" rain on their parades!

Ron has been encouraging me to work up a "gig" with him. While I get my courage up to do this, I've reflected on an article he shared with me, authored by songwriter Dalton Roberts. I've included some excerpts below - holding the vision they may strike a chord with you.

"Do It For the Sheer Delight"

"I can't remember the writer, but I clipped this quote from "Science of Mind" magazine: 'You are a novelist when you have written a novel. Getting published is beside the point. You're an actor when you act, an artist when you make art. If you pour yourself into it for the sheer delight of creating characters and moving them around, someone will want to share your delight.'

"That's exactly what all creative work is: sharing delight. To look at it any other way is to constipate your creative self. You may ask yourself, 'What good will it do you after you create it? You're living in a dream world!'

"That's right. Creativity IS living in a dream world. A world where you constantly dream up the ideas and projects you want to do. You must get lost in them. You must live those dreams.

"The first songs I wrote were so exciting. I would finish one and have a dozen ideas for new hooks and titles backed up in my song idea book. It was one of the happiest, most exciting times of my life.

"Then I moved to Nashville. I got caught up in all the business angles. I knew how much you were likely to make off a No. 1 song. I knew about radio and TV royalties and record sale royalties. Before long, my writing slowed down to a snail's pace. What had been a delight that kept me constantly playing with ideas and tunes became a business.

"I remember driving home one night and being depressed. I made a definite decision that night, and it was simple: I will write for pure pleasure the rest of my life. I will offer my songs to publishers and artists; but if no one records them, I'll record them myself and put out my own records.

"I remember Dolly Parton saying something like this: 'If I'm going to write songs and sing and make records - even if no one wants to release them - I'll sell them out of the trunk of my car.'

That's the kind of decision we must make. To throw yourself into the delight of doing your own thing. Emerson was right when he said, "Your calling is in your talents. To not answer our calling is something we must never even consider." Don't ever think twice about not doing it.

Whew - what a reminder! I love the reference to creative constipation.

Another resource came my way this past week in the form of a new blog, authored by Bruce K. Haley, a wonderfully gifted photographer and brilliant writer. Check out his blog for ongoing inspiration at www.bkhaleyphotography.com.

In the meantime, I'm reminding myself to "do it for the sheer delight." Even the second-guessing that goes along with my upcoming musical gig with Ron!

Linda Arnold, M.B.A., is a certified wellness instructor and chairwoman/CEO of The Arnold Agency, a marketing communications company specializing in advertising, public relations, government relations and interactive marketing. Reader comments may be directed to Linda Arnold, The Arnold Agency, 117 Summers St., Charleston, WV 25301 or e-mailed to livelifefu...@arnoldagency.com.