Category Archives: Creativity

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

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Earlier this morning I was racing against a deadline to finish an essay, and I was overwhelmed by my task.  The theme of the publication was “Love,” the big picture Love, the spiritual, oneness, vastness Love. Maybe if it had been the romantic kind I would have found it easier. I could have related humorous anecdotes or memories of heart-felt woes. But the topic of “Love,” the big kind and how it can help a person find their purpose in life, that was daunting.

I previously wrote what I thought was going to be my submitted essay, but my writing critique group told me in no uncertain terms that it was not up to snuff. Hence my racing against the clock this morning. I finally solved my creative dilemma, on what the heck to write, by simplifying. I stated how big the topic was in the essay’s first sentence. Then I went on to say that I was going to pare it down to three thoughts. Once I simplified, my fingers flew across the computer keyboard.

Creativity and wellness message for today: Simplify.

Blogging and More

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So there I was a few months ago, checking in on my social media networking. I was reviewing my LinkedIn  groups and came across a contest from Bonnie Marcus of VoiceAmerica talk radio. Bonnie was renaming her radio show and asked people to submit ideas. Quickly researching who she was and what she did, I let myself be inspired by her request.

In-the-moment bright ideas are so much fun. Without judgement, I opened my mind, received insight and submitted my idea online to Bonnie. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes and then I went about my business day. A few weeks later I learned that I won in my group! While Bonnie ultimately didn’t use my idea, I had a ball creating it, submitting it and winning a small piece of the pie.

Now you can tune in to “Head Over Heels: Women Mean Business” radio next Tuesday April 6, 2010 to hear me and featured guest Julie Roads, principal at Writing Roads, LLC, plus two other women entrepreneurs talk about the value of increasing your online presence. We will be answering questions and sharing our wisdom on Blogging for Business and More. Who knew?

Creativity and wellness message for today: Take a chance, commit to a contest, have fun with it, then let it go. You never know where your joy may lead.

I Am the Spark

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I’ve been thinking a lot about the creative spark lately. It all started a few weeks ago with social media. Through Facebook I stumbled on The Art Students League. When I was in high school I commuted every Saturday by train and on foot from CT to NYC to attend Figure Drawing classes at the League. I hadn’t actively thought much about it in decades but my recent connection ignited a line of thought.

Over the years I have been an artist, an educator, a graphic designer, a healer, a writer, a speaker and a consultant or you could say I have used my creative thinking and problem solving to express myself and to help pay the mortgage. As an artist my work gives people a glimmer of a different world. As a teacher I fan the flames of my students expressive pursuits as well as teaching them techniques.

When I was a healer clients and students came to metaphorically sit by my fire. My work in personal and spiritual development warmed and comforted them. It helped many go out and be stronger in their lives and encouraged them to pursue new passions.

Now I’m loving being more of a spark. I write about creativity, dreams, meditation and wellness. I also write about literature and writing and reading. Working at a library I infuse the literary, artistic and cultural experiences of my community. When I give presentations my intention is to light the fuse, not give the answer.

There is something profound and freeing about being the spark. I’m happy in my current role. What are you? Are you the fire tender, do you support the artistic work of others? Or are you the fire itself, blazing the trail? I’d love to hear what you have to say.

This brings me back, full circle to The Art Students League. At the League I learned how to be a keen observer and I was taught the importance of mastering a technique. Those two skills have served me throughout my life and the classes there kindled my desire to be a real artist when I grew up.

Creativity and wellness message for today: Consider which aspect of individual expression you support, for yourself or to help others? Is it the spark, the fire tender, are you the wood itself, the air, the match , or the  . . . and let me know.

Fullness

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Last night the moon was so full and bright I opened my shades and let in the light.

Memories flooded my senses — swimming under the blue glow of a full moon in the waters off Cape Cod; creating and leading Full Moon Meditation Retreats in Connecticut; writing poetry inspired by a full moon’s clarity. Then this morning I received a copy of Catherine Al-Meten’s  article in which she explores the various names and cultural interpretations of the Full Snow Moon, the largest one of the year. I’m enjoying a feeling of coming full circle.

Creativity and wellness message for today: Let the energies of the full moon pull you closer to your true expressive self.

Go After Creativity

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It’s snowy here in New England. A good day for reflection and to work on an essay for an upcoming publication. As Jack London said, “You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.” This is how I feel writing for the publication’s deadline. Over several weeks I’ve written three totally different personal essays on the journal’s theme: Seasons and Cycles of Our Spiritual Lives. While each essay had merit, none of them rang my chimes.

My personal and professional barometer is a visceral reaction: Does the piece make me feel alive? Inspired? Do I walk away from it with a bounce in my step? If not, I probably need to re-work, re-write or create a completely a new piece. Today I wrote an entirely new essay and I am leaving my writing desk grinning. I am reminded that creativity is an act of constant invention.

Creativity and wellness message: Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. ~George Bernard Shaw

Into the Storm

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During last week’s blustery New England weather I headed outside into the storm. My cheeks iced over while frigid wind made my eyes weep and I headed down to the beach. Torrential rains and high winds became my walking companions. I had deadlines at work and deadlines with my writing and I still wanted to go out into the storm. Little did I know that braving the elements would prompt the topic of one of my essays, due that day. I returned to my desk refreshed and vibrantly alive. As a contributing author to the Fairfield Writer’s Blog  my blog post from that day reflected how my experiences and insights during my in-the-moment-of-life walk inspired my writing.

Creativity and wellness message for today: Don’t be afraid of the storm, whether it be internal or external. Go into it, let it change you, cleanse you, and ignite you.

This I Believe

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It’s a snowy day here in New England. I have a few minutes before I head out to work so I’ll share some cross-pollination news with you. Have you heard of the international project, “This I Believe?” It started in the 1950’s and since then has engaged people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values that guide their daily lives. I’ve listened to it on NPR for years, and I’ve often heard my quiet voice say I’d like to do that. Last summer I got my wish in a very creative way.

An invitation came from the Unitarian Church in Westport, for speakers to contribute to a lay-led service filled with closely held convictions and jazz. How could I resist? I spent several weeks and many drafts creating my essay. My writing critique group inspired me to strip away the layers until I got to the heart of my message, and members of the church committee guided me to clarity. The results were that I gave back to my community; met new, bright and articulate people; modelled for my critique group that writing can take a long time; and after a few minor changes, I submitted my essay to “This I Believe.”

Five months later I heard back from the international project — my essay “I Believe in Dreams” was selected for the permanent collection.

Creativity and wellness message for today: Just do it. Show up for your life and the rest will follow.

Cross-pollination in 2010

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Many years ago when I was the Founder and Director of The Center for Creativity & Wellness, I had a collaborative professional relationship with three psychotherapists. Each of our strengths was different. One of us was a therapist who specialized in substance abuse and recovery, another was a marriage and family therapist who also led Sacred Circle Dances, and a third was a therapist who was a practitioner of shamanism. I provided the healing arts of natural energy healing, dreamwork, and meditation for my clients and students. Our professional foursome published quarterly newsletters, and mailed them as a unit to our clients. We called our multi-pronged marketing “cross-pollination.”

We embraced our diversity and that attitude served us, and our clients well. Potential clients were introduced, in very user-friendly ways, to new modalities of healing and personal development. This collaborative approach can be applied in any business or walk of life.

Creativity and wellness message for today: For 2010 plant the seed of fertilization in your life. Veer off the beaten path, touch down on a new flower, try something that you haven’t done before. Let the vitality of cross-pollination be your guide.

Drawn to the Sea

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Yesterday was one of those out-of-kilter-days. Do you ever have them? I woke up with my list of personal and professional responsibilities all lined up, in a neat row, in my head. The only problem was that I couldn’t get my motor started. Yes, I was up very early, yes I was completing my appointed tasks but I felt like I was moving through molasses. My order! My list! Everything was out-of-order and my energy was draining. Finally I let it all go and went for a walk to the beach.

Inhaling salty cold air, and watching the play of light against dry, stark white snow and damp sandy shore, made me pause. I was in the right place at the right time. My lists could wait, what I needed was to have my soul replenished.

Interestingly enough when I returned from my revitalizing walk, I had an e-mail calling me into work for a meeting. That was perfect! That was why my day felt so off-balance, I unknowingly needed to allow space for the unexpected.

Creativity and wellness message for today: Be drawn to where your soul needs to rest.

Cookin’ Down the Bird

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Yesterday was the day to recoup from the festivities of Thanksgiving, and the day to tackle making turkey soup. As a former vegetarian, making turkey soup from scratch, is a challenge. I didn’t grow up watching a mother or grandmother make it, and I have only seen one person, one time — my husband, make it. Well, yesterday was my day.

You see, I don’t even cook the Thanksgiving turkey, my husband does. He has a tried and true Joy of Cooking recipe that he follows, deliciously, to the letter. It’s my job to make the gravy . . . Southern style. So, by the time yesterday came, I had only enjoyed the turkey feast, I hadn’t gotten my hands dirty by being involved with the bird.

After cutting off the meat, (a mean feat I must say) I dropped the bird into hot water. After the bird cooked down a few hours, I scraped the remaining meat off and out of every imaginable cavity that darn bird had. I must admit I felt accomplished. As I was dealing, so intimately with the bird, I began to think about the creative benefits of reusing and recycling. As artists and writers we often think we have to reinvent the wheel every time we step up to the proverbial plate. Cookin’ down the bird taught me the value of working with something that others might consider already done.

Creativity and wellness message for today: Reuse something that you have created, in a new way. Dust off that old manuscript and select a chapter as the basis for an article. Reach your hands deeper into the dark places of something you thought was complete and fully cooked, see what you find to expand in a different way. Recycle, rethink, and enjoy the rich broth of your renewed creativity.