Facebook is an interesting animal. For a long time I only used to play games and to connect with people from my past. Then some Facebook groups opened up to me. Some positive experiences: some less so.
One pleasurable experience came from being asked to be part of a group called Personal Bloggers Are Us (#Pbau). In this I have come across a truly nice mixture of people. Muriel Demarcus is one of those. She has been a big fan of my work on Tale Spinning, and it is my pleasure to introduce her, here, on Bornstoryteller’s Creativity Series.
#four in The Creativity Series
Despite The Rain, We Are Happy: Muriel Demarcus
Creative, Me? You Must Be Joking
It’s fair to say that I am not a creative person.
By background, I am an Engineer. I used to be able drive trains and my specialty was Signalling (you know, the stuff that always fails on the railways). I have walked down the tracks while new trains were being tested (scary) and opened new metro lines in Paris 
. I have investigated train accidents and try to re-calculate speed profiles using complicated modeling tools to try to understand what had happened.
. I have investigated train accidents and try to re-calculate speed profiles using complicated modeling tools to try to understand what had happened.My family has always looked down on any creative activity. Maths and science were real subjects. Art? Creativity? Come on, be serious. I don’t know what happened to me. Maybe it is some early mid-life crisis (Let me clarify something: I am not THAT old. In my head I am still fifteen). Maybe it is because I went out of my comfort zone and moved to London (I am French born) to follow my husband. I had to drop my much loved-job and find something else (less interesting, somehow I felt that I couldn’t be too picky).
But it is obvious that I have changed. For starters, I am much happier.
To be fair, I started small. From time to time, during a rainy day in London (which, believe me, happens a lot), I started making some collages. It was fun.
This was my first one. It says “In London, despite the rain, we are happy”. 
Initially, my excuse was that I needed to help my daughters for their school’s artwork.
But then, I realized that doing collages was simply making me happier. It felt weird. I just carried on…
And on…
And on…
I eventually understood that my boring but comfortable job was holding me back. I didn’t like it any more.
Still, I couldn’t find the strength to resign. As a new year’s resolution, I started a blog (www.mumuGB.blogspot.com). It became addictive. After a few weeks I had more than 3,000 hits a month. I couldn’t believe that my thoughts and worries could be of any interest. I was clearly wrong.
It felt good.
Putting my thoughts out in the open eventually gave me the strength to resign. I am now living from my own business, and it is going from strength to strength. I am also writing as much as I can, with a view -who knows- to publish a book one day. But more importantly, I feel more like myself. I am finally designing my life around what matters to me. I know it is better late than never. But, after years of always doing what was expected from me, I am slowly starting to become what I want to be.
Who would have thought that this could happen?
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Nov 14, 2011 @ 02:08:30
This resembles some parts of my life so much. Fortunately I realised even as I do my day job that its ok to pursue my passions alongside. And this mindset has been immensely useful in striking a good balance in my life.
And I’m going to take away the “Despite the Rain, We are happy” motto to keep going.
I’m so glad I came across this pose. Thanks 🙂
Nov 14, 2011 @ 03:23:02
I am glad that it has worked for you too…Thanks for your kind comment!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 02:35:38
Stuart, thanks for introducing the creativity series – what a great idea! Courageuse Muriel, to be the first, lovely post, great how your collages evolved, and trees are special to some of us! I always wonder how strong (and destructive) these family influences are, lucky you to have had precocious mid-life crisis (ha!) and to come out on top whole and happy!
Anything can happen, we only have to open up!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 08:12:03
Barbara, you are most welcome. I find that numbers being so more important to so many that we really need to know all the different ways have creativity shapes the lives we lead. I hope you enjoy what’s coming up every Monday and Wednesday from guest bloggers, and Fridays (and other days) from me.
If you hadn’t noticed there are 4 creativity posts from last week. At this moment I have posts throughout November into December with promise of more in January.
Nov 14, 2011 @ 14:14:27
Hi, Stuart, actually I have realised (in the meantime) that there were 4 previous posts (which I have actually read as well!), blame it on befuddled brains deranged by my cold or the early hour …, look forward to reading your series!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:05:59
So, are you next? I would love to hear your story. I think that Stuart had a great idea…
Nov 14, 2011 @ 13:10:08
ah, well, Muriel, you know how we Swiss are, don’t you?
Nov 14, 2011 @ 04:24:12
And to think it all started with a single blog…clever you! Keep up the creativity.
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:06:44
It is the first time that a new year’s resolution has lasted so long…Let’s hope it will continue!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 04:27:39
Awesome Muriel! Loved it. I think when we start looking out for things outside of what we know or are used to, we discover a brand new world and many opportunities come our ways.
I am so glad you found out the right road for you. It definitely makes a difference.
So I’ll keep the motto in my mind (as we have a good number of rainy days in Ireland too) and continue to read you with lots of pleasure.
marie
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:09:06
You are so right. My only regret is to have found about this whole new world a bit too late. But at the same time, I wouldn’t really appreciate my new life if it had started too soon…
Nov 14, 2011 @ 08:03:19
A little more of the person revealed. Muriel is cool.
Nov 14, 2011 @ 08:07:57
Thom, yes she is.
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:10:44
Thank you… thank you (blushing)…You need to speak to my daughters. They don’t think that I am cool at all!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 13:08:45
Yes, she is and I would share my last piece of roquefort with her! Maybe with you, Thom, as well, if you bring some pears and port wine with you!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 08:22:49
Wow…the train tracks take you from the train to the tree! Where next?
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:11:39
Where next? I have no idea…But for one, it doesn’t really bother me…Expanding my business maybe. Or maybe a book. For the time being, I take it easy!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 08:27:56
Once a stream starts flowing It has to become a river.
-PORTIA
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:12:52
I would love the stream to become a river. I still doubt sometimes (I should use more my university degrees, etc…). But I am definitively happier!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:07:28
Wow! What a great story…going from what was expected from you to what you really found you enjoyed! It would be so nice if everyone in life could find this solitude 🙂 Seriously, I enjoyed your post. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Nov 14, 2011 @ 09:14:17
I suppose that, for me, it is better late than never…Thanks for your kind words!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 13:27:17
We all have multiple intelligences but don’t use them. We tend to develop one or two at the expense of the others. How wonderful it must feel to discover your creative side which was in direct contrast of how you viewed yourself. Perhaps you feel happier now because you have more balance in your life?
Good luck with your new venture. I hope it keeps going from strength to strength. And I would buy the book:-)
Nov 15, 2011 @ 15:14:32
Thank you. If you would buy it maybe I should think of actually writing it…I am not very good with words, so it will be a challenge!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 15:47:34
Quite the opposite Muriel. You are excellent with words and English us not even your first language!
Nov 14, 2011 @ 22:50:26
Muriel, it’s never too late. Now that you’re finding your joy in being creative, never let it go and enjoy it now, every day! 🙂
Nov 15, 2011 @ 15:16:16
Adriene…would love for you to do this as well. contact me
Nov 15, 2011 @ 15:16:28
Thank you for your kind words. I have to admit that I sometimes feel a bit ridiculous. It is as if I was catching up on everything that I missed while I was sooooo busy doing “serious” things. Maybe it is just a phase. Maybe it is here to stay. I will find out where this leads me anyway!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 15:20:41
Muriel, I’ve left a comment on your blog as well as here. Please leave your twitter tag. I tried using your twitter button, but no luck! You are most definitely a must follow.
Stuart…wow. Wonderful series.
Nov 19, 2011 @ 05:55:59
Thank you for your kind words and I am glad that you found my story inspiring!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 20:12:12
Love this post, Muriel!
So true, and interesting how we grow into feeling like we are who we are …. finally! (At least for me it feels like… finally!!!! Yay!!!!!!)
Love it!
Nov 19, 2011 @ 05:57:01
I totally agree. It took me a long time to like me the way I am, but I am finally getting at it!
Nov 16, 2011 @ 17:46:05
Truly inspiring! I didn’t know you were into collages! That’s pretty cool! Thank you for sharing more of you, Muriel, and for this series Stuart!
Nov 16, 2011 @ 17:49:20
Joy, thanks. much more to come
Nov 19, 2011 @ 05:58:01
Thanks again for giving me such an opportunity Stuart. I love collages, Joy, but I haven’t had much time to do some recently…must do it again!
Nov 19, 2011 @ 08:18:01
Muriel…it was a pleasure. Let’s do this again.
Nov 21, 2011 @ 23:48:39
Muriel, Who would have thought you had all that bundled up creativity inside just waiting to be let loose – in a language not your own. So you went from maths and science to art and writing. I suppose we often have hidden talents waiting to be explored. Am go glad you started your blog and am a big fan.
Nov 23, 2011 @ 10:47:37
Stu, thank you so much for hosting this series! =) I’m loving it!
Muriel, I could so relate to your story. I’ve always been in the sciences and have been encouraged my family to be practical and logical rather than creative. It wasn’t until I moved here to Peru when things started shaking up. I had no idea how I could make a living and freelance writing just fell into my life. I have never felt more creative and *free* in my life! =) Loved reading your story too and your collages are beautiful! =)