Enrichment
You know that horrible feeling you get when your car slides into a muddy ditch or snow mound? Desperate. Helpless. Stuck. This is something that usually happens to everyone…at least once in their life. It usually takes a little help to get unstuck. Well, the muddy or icy hell hole you drove into is really just a metaphor for what could be happening in your life. Women are especially vulnerable to the “ditches” and “snow mounds” that seem to pull us in from time-to-time. Why does this life-hindering thing happen? Though vehicular mishaps usually just sort of happen, life traps grip us as a result of our own thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
Stuck Reason #1
We don’t believe we have what it takes to move forward into the life of our dreams. This is a result of always thinking life will be better when the promotion comes, my health is better, I meet the right person, I learn more, I am the creative artist I want to be. Just several examples, these are common hindrances to living in the moment and choosing present happiness. This is a form of self-doubt that will always keep you in the ditch until you change your thinking. Action creates momentum. So, in this case, doing what it is that you fear will create the energy you need to move forward.
Stuck Reason #2
One of the biggest problems women face in life is not knowing who they really are….as women, creative beings, and viable contributors to the world. Lacking purpose and direction is how we get lost and stuck. You may be one of those creative women who do so many things well that you can’t decide what to focus on. On the contrary to your belief that this is a curse, it’s an overflowing cup of blessing. You have all of that talent for a reason. Learning how to focus it is the greatest thing you can do for yourself and the world. Discovering purpose is better than chocolate, I say!
Stuck Reason #3
Disregarding or not recognizing help when it comes. Let’s go back to the car metaphor. You sit there in the ditch, helpless and angry. Thankfully, you had your cell phone, so you called a tow truck for help. It’s been 30 minutes, but you wait patiently. Another motorist stops to ask if you need help, you reply, “No, I’m waiting for the tow truck to come. He should be here any minute.” The good Samaritan moves on. Another hour goes by and your tow truck has not arrived. During that time, two other passerbyers have offered to push you out. You declined. OK, so you disregarded three attempts by others to fix your problem. Why? You were waiting for the “big” tow truck that would get you moving in an instant. That tow truck didn’t come…it got held up across town working with another motorist that slid into a bigger ditch. Help comes in many forms. Learn to recognize it.
If you find yourself stuck, there is always a way to get unstuck. The first step is of course knowing that you are stuck. Check out these other articles for more information on navigating life’s difficult moments.
How To Keep Going When Life Get’s Hard
A Woman’s Power To Change Things
Discovering Life Purpose In 60 Minutes Or Less
If you haven’t yet read my book, “Are You Out Of Your Freakin’ Mind?, please check it out on Amazon, itunes, Sony, and Barnes & Noble.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
The following was my horoscope for the day. I thought it was amazingly close to what I’ve been saying to others for a long time. And, I needed to hear it myself, too.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Guest Post by Lindsey
Nature has made women creative creatures. Inside of each of us, there is a spark of strength and beauty that is unique to our gender. And for many of us, finding an artistic outlet is the way we make sense of our lives. Whether we paint, write, take pictures or make crafts, creativity is an integral part of the way we communicate with the world.
But keeping that spark alive can sometimes be a challenge. Obligations to work, school or our children can become a drain on time and energy, leaving us unable to devote attention to our creative activities. Sometimes, the pressure of performing can freeze us, leaving us feeling vulnerable. And it’s up to you to overcome those obstacles by identifying them and working through them. It’s hard, but it can be done.
There aren’t enough hours in the day…
Women are expected to manage work, a home life and even school without breaking a sweat—and most do with grace. But if you’re also trying to fit in time to work on your own personal projects, carving out those free hours can seem impossible. By the time you’ve ended your day your natural spark of creativity may be weary and dim.
Time management is an essential tool for any woman with multiple responsibilities, but it’s crucial if you’re hoping to continue your creative efforts. If you find yourself drained by your job, commit to doing no work at all once you get home. Not everyone has the luxury of being off the clock once they leave the office, but do what you can to find a way to set your work stress aside when you get home.
Clearing your mind and getting ready for creative activity is also important. Meditation—or even just taking ten minutes to sit quietly and breathe deeply—can help you transition from work mode to creative mode. Learning to separate your job life from your home life is a difficult skill, but it’s valuable.
Integrating your creativity into your everyday life
Education is the key to self-fulfillment, even for your personal creative pursuits. Learning more about the history and techniques of your art can give you a fuller understanding of your craft and make you a better artist. Taking classes at your local arts society or pursuing an online education can give you a fuller understanding of your chosen passion. If you’re a writer, find a writers’ circle; if you’re an artist, find an artists’ workshop. The Internet has also become fertile ground for budding artists and artists’ communities; find a message board or blog that encourages discourse and feedback.
Finally, make your personal creative passion a part of your everyday life. Be sure to communicate with your spouse about needing “me time” to work on your personal projects. If you have children, make them a part of your creative outlet: recruit them to help you with gathering materials, or give them their own arts and crafts projects to explore while you’re working. Making your creative aspirations a family affair can turn into quality time with your kids.
Taking control of your creativity will require you to make changes in your life. If you want to nurture the artistic part of yourself, make an effort to give yourself the time, space and abilities to be the best self you can be.
Lindsey loves writing about education and enjoys keeping up with trending topics. She is working to get her graduate degree at the moment! She also finds joy in being creative in many realms of her life.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
What’s Your WHY?
By Lynne Klippel
Kathleen Ragan, a stay-at-home mother, loved reading stories to her young daughters. She took them to the local library every week to pick out fresh books and made story time an important part of every day.
Kathleen began to notice a disturbing trend. All the books she was reading featured male heroes. As she began to study childhood classics by Dr. Seuss, she noticed the only female characters were negative ones – lazy mothers, gossipy women, or colorless sisters who had no dialog. She then started to study fairy tales and other popular children’s books. There were few featuring girls who were brave, intelligent, or leaders. Instead, the books featured princesses who required rescuing, were evil step mothers, and were wicked witches.
These were not the role models Kathleen wanted for her daughters. She began an exhaustive search for folktales from around the world featuring female heroines. It took several years of exhaustive research including reviewing more than 30,000 stories.
This research led to her book Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters, published in 1998. The book features 100 stories from around the world with female heroines and are ideal for reading aloud to children.
Why is this story important to you?
Writing a book is a big job. It requires an investment of time, energy, and effort. In order to finish a book, you must have a passionate reason WHY you are writing that book. That passionate Why will pull you forward and give you the energy you need to complete your book.
Kathleen was passionate about providing inspiring stories for her daughters. Her passion propelled her to do whatever it took to create her book and share it with the world.
What about you?
Use these questions to measure your passion for your current writing project:
- Do you enjoy learning about the topic of your book?
- When you have extra time, does it feel like a treat to work on your book?
- When you share your book idea with others, do you feel excited and exhilarated?
- Have you clearly identified WHY you are writing this book?
If you notice that you are not feeling passionate about your book, don’t give up right away. You have two options. You can decide to select another topic which feels more exciting. Or, you can make your current topic more enjoyable to write by adding stories, fresh research, or taking a bolder stand.
One of the quickest ways to increase your passion for your book is to have some conversations with your ideal readers. Discover their needs and determine how your book can serve them. Reconnect with your passionate heart for helping others and you’ll find you’ve come home to the real reason why you started writing your book in the first place: to serve the world with your unique message.
Share your passionate WHY here and make a public stand for your book.
Lynne Klippel is a best-selling author, publisher, and book coach who specializes in helping non-fiction authors write books that build their business and transform the world. For a f.r.e.e. assessment that will help you see your author strengths and opportunities, visit http://www.BusinessBuildingBooks.com
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Photo by: this is the life 2905
Most of you know me as a believer that everyone is “creative” in one way or another; however, be that as it may, there are some things active “creatives” do on a regular basis that set them apart. I’m talking about those who want to change the world, that is. These six habits cause those moments of inspiration that drive us to actually create without reserve and without worry, to bring beauty to our world. It’s important to understand we all have the ability to increase inspiration and creativity in our lives no matter how much, or how little, we think we create now. I’m not just talking about the arts here; I’m referring to the creative ability that is innate to us as humans. We are all born to bring life to the world, to make things work better, to believe things can be more beautiful, to create lives that reflect joy and love…now, that is creating. Read on for six life-changing habits of creative, serving people.
1. Live In the Moment: This is one of those easier-said-than- done statements most don’t really ever truly get. Honestly, it’s hard. We naturally worry about the future, dwell on the past, and even stumble in our present. But when you get this principle of embracing the moment you are in and the feelings that come with it, it’s like a huge weight is lifted from your shoulders. Really. I won’t say I’ve mastered it completely myself, but I’ve learned to more effectively cherish the seconds and minutes that can mean the difference between joy and sorrow or faith and fear.
2. Keep A Childlike Heart: Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is one of the most fulfilling things we can do. They generally walk in love, wonder, freedom of speech and creative expression. They see the world as a playground ready to be experienced. When was the last time you felt that way?
3. Encourage Others: Creatives see potential in everything and everyone. They find something to love about all that is…even if others don’t. And, they don’t hesitate to bring a slice of joy and hope to those who are lucky enough to cross their path. Keep in mind this habit is one that incorporates having a good heart and a serving attitude. Without these character traits, a creative person could become dark and destructive, which is also a form of creative expression.
4. Open Minded: Again, everything has potential, so why criticize that which you’ve never tried or experienced. Creatives welcome new adventures and crazy ideas (their own and those of others). They actually might try anything once.
5. Believe In Spiritual Inspiration: The three parts of our being, Body, Mind, and Spirit, all make up a complete package that gets the job of “life” done. To what degree we pay attention to each part varies from person to person. I do know if even one of the three gets ignored, or deprived of nurturing, the whole being suffers. So, spirituality is an important part of creativity, of life itself.
6. Get Over Themselves: Well, this one is a little more complicated. When you are amazingly creative, it’s easy to get puffed up or self-centered. It’s all that attention you’re getting. But, here’s the thing, if you want to create a better world, you have to shift the focus to something else besides yourself. If only everyone could do this one…
How do you creatively “change the world”? Please do tell…
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Power300
Did you ever wonder why bad things happen to good people? To YOU? And, do you tend to blame either others, God or the devil for those misfortunes? How about considering the alternative? Maybe we create our own drama and unserving dilemmas. I mean, come on, to blame the devil for breaking my toe, when I was foolishly walking through a dark room in the middle of the night to sneak some chocolate cake. Really? Think about it. That’s just a silly example but one that gets the point across. We choose. We act. We either succeed or we miss it. Break our toe or reach our destiny without harm. This happens every minute of our lives. I guess that our initial thoughts and choices are the catalysts for either our blessings or our curses. I can face this, can you?
How many opportunities do we have to make peace, to be productive, to make someone else happy, to create life instead of death? And, how many opportunities do we squander by blaming someone or something else for our failures. It’s time to take full responsibility for our lives, ladies. Is this what they call a “tough love” post? Not trying to be heavy or too serious here, but we really need to pay attention to our patterns of self-destruction (me too).
Here’s a few tips for staying out of the drowning pool of blaming others:
- Step back and observe your behavior. Try to be on the outside looking in not the drama queen in the middle of it.
- Realize that you create your future by what you speak, think, and do.
- Try to see the good in yourself and others first before acknowledging the negative.
- You are who and what you are by special design. You have a distinctive purpose to fulfill. There will be many “bumps in the road” along the way to your dreams and goals. This is a part of life…period.
- If you catch yourself enlisting others to be on “your side” of a conflict, this might be a clue that you’re dodging personal responsibility.
- When you feel overwhelmed and cheated somehow, do something that makes you feel good about yourself, like a creative hobby, sport, or talking to a trusted friend or mentor.
- Seek God or your higher power for spiritual breakthroughs by asking what you can do to change the situation. And if there is nothing to be done, move forward with acceptance and a positive attitude. Asking “why” isn’t always productive and can cause more self-doubt and even a spiritual breach.
- It’s OK to get support, but be careful not to only seek approval for your opinions and actions.
- Keep in mind “not everything is of the devil, mama,” as Adam Sandler’s character said so eloquently in the movie, Waterboy.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
So, let’s talk about the therapy/coaching crisis that I believe is corrupting the world of self-improvement and even mental health as a whole. This problem is twofold; it’s a coach/therapist oversight, and it’s a client/patient choice. Here’s the deal: We as coaches, counselors, and therapists are trying to help people change, grow, and heal so they can live better lives, right? Well, the problem is that often the focus gets stuck on showing clients how “bad” and “dysfunctional” it is where they are instead of helping them accept who and where they are at the present moment. I know, it sounds backwards and counterproductive. But think about it. People get into comfort zones (life coaches do too) and find it much too difficult to move from the cozy existence of dysfunction when it means work is involved. Go figure.
Additionally, a stuck-in-a-rut mentality remains and is exacerbated by well-meaning coaches and counselors. Often, coaches and self-help leaders are the ones who enable the client’s self-doubting and loathing that has been going on for a long time. This approach gets clients focusing on what they don’t want to happen instead of what they truly desire to happen. How many ads have you seen that start with phrases like this: “Sick and tired of your life?” or “Not having the success you desire” or “Is body fat keeping you from the life you want?” Pretty negative, huh? I call this coaching your way into a corner. Don’t get me wrong, some people thrive with life coaching and therapy, but those who do have a completely different mentality going into it. First of all, they accept fully who they are from the beginning. They see their non-serving behavior as stepping stones and not launching pads for inner thoughts like, “I can’t do anything right,” or “For the love of God, when will this miserable life end?” Can you see the difference?
I guess the thing that I want to get across is this: Before you pay one cent for coaching or therapy, do the following…
- locate yourself.
- Accept yourself as the wonderful, unique individual you are.
- Realize that non-serving behavior and choices do not define who YOU are but are the result of not knowing and accepting YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF.
And, if you are a coach or mental health professional, DO THESE THINGS:
- Understand your clients and patients are who and where they are and may never change or move from this existence. And, you know what? That’s OK. All of your wisdom (or mine) will not “save” them from themselves.
- Realize the journey to self-improvement is different for each of us. There are no rules, programs, or tutorials that will magically make any of us the “person we’ve always wanted to be,” or “the expert coach” for others to follow. We are who we are.
- Find wisdom in simplicity and acceptance.
So, if you really want to be coached, then you need to do yourself a favor first. Understand it’s OK to be where you are. Spend your money on being accountable for choices and behavior, not for being told it’s not OK to be you. A coach or counselor’s job is to help you move away from poor behavior patterns that don’t really reflect the authentic person who wants to come out. Furthermore, each one of us will discover truth and identity when we are good and ready to. Take the pressure off of yourself. You don’t have to live up the expectations of the world, your family, friends, or even a coach.
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A quick tip on Creativity from John Maxwell.
One of my favorite motivational teachers…
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
I heard a saying once that really resonated with my personal experience as a creative person, it says: “If you want to master something, teach it.” There are many reasons why this profound truth adds value to your life. The first being that when you focus on the integral parts of any creative endeavor, as you do when you show someone how to do something, you are building a stronger foundation for yourself. Sometimes when we get self-involved in our art, writing, gardening, photography, we tend to stray away from the basics and the inspiration that got us started in the first place. Sadly, this waning of creative energy causes us to lose confidence and even neglect our gifts altogether. So the natural results of bringing a student or mentee to your side is incredibly motivating and keeps you on your creative toes.
Secondly, there is a natural flow of energy when we devote some of our time to bring value to someone else’s life, especially to youth. Give and you will receive. When we understand it is our responsibility to pass on skill and knowledge to the next generation, we open ourselves up to blessings not present otherwise. Understand this doesn’t mean we have to “give” everything away for free. Though sowing free gifts into the life of another is rewarding and seems to always return abundance to us in some way. The point being: Understand your worth as a creative person, realizing that your deserve to be paid for you gift, whether you are an artist or marketing whiz. Find a balance between giving away advice and gifts and charging for your time and products. Remember that bringing value to lives is the goal I’m talking about here, not getting rich. However, if you or I happen to accumulate wealth from our creative efforts, so be it!
One last idea about mentoring: The teacher learns from the student. I’ve had the opportunity to coach some amazing women and mentor countless of teens and creatives. I realized along the way that each one of those beautiful souls has one-of-a-kind ideas and visions for their futures. I was blessed to be able to share in the amazing growth of each one. They all taught me valuable lessons and gave me renewed faith in my abilities. Inspiration doesn’t get much better than that.
I challenge each of you to find someone to mentor creatively. Even if your student is your own child, you will begin to develop fresh ideas and be renewed in your passion and purpose as a creative woman. What is the most fulfilling thing that happened to you as a mentor or mentee? Please share your thoughts with us…
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
If you liked this post, you’ll love these:
(1) Fine: Women use this word to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you’re welcome. (I want to add a clause here – This is true, unless she says ‘Thanks a lot’ – that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say “you’re welcome, that will bring on a “whatever”.
(8) Whatever: Is a woman’s way of saying F— YOU!
(9) Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’s wrong?” For the woman’s response refer to # 3.
* Send this to the men you know. They need a clue…
* Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know it’s true!!!
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. – Harriet Tubman
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
If you liked this post, you’ll love these:
Women’s Life Experience Compared To Men’s
In my own pursuit of creative goals, I’ve realized (sometimes the hard way) that things don’t always go the way you hope them to. However, it isn’t necessary to understand the “whys” and “hows” of every vision or effort before stepping into a process of getting them done. I do believe that focus and determination rule in the creative arena, though. You have to keep going toward your dreams…no matter what gets in your way. This week I’m being greatly challenged in my physical body to even get anything typed out or on paper. But, you know what? I’m doing it anyway. Because I love what I do and I can’t hold in my thoughts because my body doesn’t want to cooperate.
I’m afraid that so many people suffer more from squelched creative dreams than they do from the ailments that keep them from realizing those dreams. It hurts to see yourself as unproductive and even limited by illness, lack, shyness, or whatever may be holding you back. In my case, it’s pain, and now, a possible diagnosis of MS that I did not see coming. That’s OK, I’m kicking it in the gut! At least I might get this one post out. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m here for you gals. I’m not going anywhere. If you are a client, don’t think you are bothering me. You’re not. I need to be productive right now as I fight my own physical battles. My dear readers, please comment more often…give me some feedback on how I can serve you more efficiently and with greater value.
Keep Creating Tips:
- Don’t focus on what you don’t want
- Focus on what you DO want
- Celebrate you accomplishments
- Ask for help when you need it
- Give yourself the opportunity to adapt to life-change
- You are worth any effort it takes to push through challenges
- Take baby steps to reach your goals…you’ll make it
Press on to your dreams and creative masterpieces. The world needs what you have to give! I love you all.
Peace,
Kellie
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Power300
Let It Rain
Have you ever purposely stood outside in a summer downpour, let the warm rain trickle down your face and cleanse your soul? It feels good, doesn’t it? Your inner-child may come to the forefront. With a childlike heart, you become a part of something that’s out of your control and it’s OK…profound simplicity. You can have moments like that all the time if you desire to. Letting go of some mental control allows you to experience the extraordinary, like a wonderful embrace with the rain. Those refreshing moments are really Divine events.
Don’t worry, it won’t take you long to either have them or recognize the ones you’re already having. You just need a little guidance and a few tools.
The first tools you’ll need for this creative project are a good notebook or journal and a pen. Maybe you heard this one before…maybe not, but listen now if you really want to make this exciting discovery. Those 15 to 20 minutes I told you to take away from all distractions? They are for writing down some key words, phrases, and sentences that mark your intentions to do something different. This exercise changes the way you think and act where your creativity is concerned.
Don’t sensor yourself. If you feel like doodling on the page, go for it! There is no right and wrong with creativity. You can put anything you’d like in this journal.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Blogging can be a lonely way to spend your time. On the other hand, it can be rewarding and bring lots of new acquaintances (even friends) your way. I’ve been doing this blogging thing for well over two years now and have noticed something: Blog life is very short for some. I often catch myself thinking, where did that blog go or I wonder what made her stop writing. And, you know what, I really miss some of the blogs that are nowhere to be found. Of course I miss them. I wouldn’t have subscribed in the first place if I didn’t see quality and true self-expression. So, I ask, “where do good blogs go when they die?” Not sure. I guess that depends on whether the blogger continues to pay for hosting. Some do-some don’t. The blog graveyard is really full…I’m sure. The bad thing is you can’t go visit. You can’t bring them back to life. You can’t even send them digital flowers or post a comment for a job well done…
I guess my real point for sharing this thought is this: Longevity is a key to creative success. I understand that it’s hard to continue something that takes up lots of time and may not be “giving back” as much as you want; however, giving up something that is so personal to you (like a blog) has consequences. Each time you quit, you lose a part of yourself. I rather think it much more useful to take a break, center yourself, make a list of what you want to get out of your endeavor, and ask, “how am I going to do it?” By focusing on what you want, you can then find the path that leads you to it…and all without giving up on your creative dream.
Concerning blogging, each of us have a responsibility to present quality content to our readers. And, let me tell you, it’s no walk in the park some days. It’s work. I am a believer that hard work eventually pays off in one way or another. You might have to change some things along the way, but longevity is a long term way to make your mark on the world. I heard a saying once that stuck with me. I don’t remember who said it, but here it is:
“If you do something for an hour a day for five years, you will be an expert at it.”
- Five years is really a pretty short span of time, considering how long some people go to school to become a professional “this” or “that”. Bottom line is to stick with your goals until they are met.
- Make changes to your methods if you need to. If that means hiring a consultant or coach, then do it!
- Use a measurable scale of success. A simple 1 to 10 scale is a good one. If you don’t know where you are to begin with, how will you know if you’re making progress?
- Celebrate victories! Giving yourself some back pats for a job well done is imperative…that is if you want to reach your goal. You might be getting outside kudos, but if you don’t believe in yourself and learn to celebrate your accomplishments, you will find a way to sabotage your efforts.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
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It occurred to me that boredom, or the state of being bored, is not such a bad thing. Yes, it’s uncomfortable; it makes you feel useless; it creates a low-energy vibe; and it makes others think you are ungrateful. “Wow, Kellie, that doesn’t sound like something I want in my life,” you so forcefully say. Hold on there…I have a point.
One Boring Experience: How I turned It Around
Several years ago when I was bedridden for severe chronic migraine. I wasn’t doing much but watching TV and barely taking care of my basic personal needs. That’s the way it is when you are in pain all the time. Anyway, one day while lying in bed I realized that there was nothing I could do about my condition and that I couldn’t control it. This thought process was a little depressing and a lot boring. What did I do? I used it to get creative…
Specifically, I began to jot down some ideas for a story. And soon I was staring at the outline for a book…a novel that had a female protagonist with severe migraine headaches. The frail state of my body enlisted extreme displeasure with the fact I couldn’t do the “normal” things I had before. The boredom made me do something about it. It prompted me to use the one thing that my illness could not take away…my creativity. So, I say it again: You want to be bored sometimes.
I believe that the body, mind & spirit were never meant to be idle unless they are in the natural process of rest for optimal health. If this is true, then boredom is a tell-tale sign that we are missing something. We are idle and not using parts of our being, including our creative abilities….no, especially our creative abilities. What really prompts you to want a new outfit or to plant some new flowers in your garden? You are bored with the old look, right? Well, it’s this same boredom that brings new ideas to the table; such as, a book plot, a colorful painting, an appealing Website, and the list goes on.
Here’s a little creative challenge for you:
Next time you feel boredom creep in, try to use it for a creative springboard. Ask yourself these questions: Why am I bored? What’s missing in my life? How can I change this feeling? What can I create that will make me feel more alive?
And, of course, I want to hear your input on this subject. Please, please leave a piece of your mind down there in the comments!
The human brain contains an estimated 50 to 100 billion neurons that communicate to one another with over 1,000 trillion synaptic connections in order to carry out the functions that we need and want to do. And as mind-blowing as that is, this complex organ can’t do everything…not alone, anyway. Having said that, let me explain. It is a mechanism that is interconnected to itself, other systems of the body, and to the core of who we are as individuals – our minds and our personalities, as well as to our spirits. One part cannot live without the others; it cannot thrive; it cannot create; it cannot exist. It is by this fact that each one of us has the ability to create the kind of life we desire.
The phrase “out of your mind creativity” struck me hard as I heard Neale Donald Walsh utter it during an interview. He was referring to the kind of creative endeavors that arise from an authentic, higher part of us with which we may not always be in touch. In order to expand, to align with truth, to be the conduit for greatness, we must learn to connect to this part of ourselves and the world in which it lives. Too often we stay in the proverbial box, the confines of the ordinary, waiting for something to change, for something to erupt and be the breakthrough idea that transforms our lives. Creative thought does not live in the ordinary or in any box, for that matter, but it thrives in an infinite world with no boundaries, no sharp edges, and no boring waiting rooms.
Getting outside the “box”, out of “your mind” is simple but not always easy. It requires setting aside (kicking out) habitual thinking, negative core beliefs, outside influence, all that you think you know in order to hear what this deep, spiritual existence is communicating. It’s a Divine place. A place where you (and I) can create anything, do anything, be anything that we want to be. I truly believe that we all have been there at one time or another. Can you recall a moment when a thought or an inspiration felt so right that you had to find a way to express it? The only way you could exhibit what your deepest self knew was to create something you’d never created before. Sound familiar?
The results of these profound moments are the brilliant paintings that bring tears to eyes; the books that change lives forever; the songs that move lovers to reunite; the movies that inspire individuality; the three-year-old’s “abstract” finger painting that evokes a proud tear from a new mom. No thought alone could create such monumental elements that weave together our world.
What does your higher self want to create?
How will it affect you and others?
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!