Tag Archives: Creativity

Fear and Creativity: How to Live the Treasure Inside of You

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“Do you have the courage to bring forth this work? The treasures hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.” Jack Gilbert in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.

I recently downloaded the audio version of this book and had to hit the pause button to examine this question. I repeated it in my head several times and then held a private meditation to quiet all the parts of my brain and emotions that wanted to answer the question on my behalf. After composing myself, I came to the conclusion that there is a 50/50 chance that I will summon the courage to follow the path that leads to the treasures within me. That is, when I look fear in the face, sometimes I just cry ‘uncle’.

I’m going to go and listen to the rest of this book so I can begin developing my ‘do it scared’ muscles. I just got a picture in my head of the Lion from the Wizard of Oz looking for some courage. Well… whatever works; wanna join me on this yellow brick road?

TheWizardOfOz

Source: yahoo images

Take a listen to an excerpt read by Elizabeth. She has made peace with fear; even writing it a welcome letter and giving it some ‘rules of engagement’. I think this one is a must read for anyone who is working to create anything.

Until next week,

Pernà

Patience, Young Grasshopper!

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This past week, I’ve had so many opportunities to work on being patient. I’ve shared with you that I’m working through a health transformation and while it’s going well, I am not seeing results as fast as I’d like to see them. I’m sure you can identify with me when I say, it seems like it takes ten times more effort to shed the unwanted weight and bad eating habits than it does to gulp down the sweet treats that helped me to pack on all this curvyliciousness (haha, the spellchecker did not know what to do with that word)! Even though it seems as if it is going slow, I’m still committed to eating well and exercising. Going slow in the right direction is so much better than going fast in the wrong direction. I know for sure that each day I’m feeling and looking so much better.

Source: http://pin.it/dgKQUuo
Source: http://pin.it/dgKQUuo

On the work/life balance front, I’ve committed to reclaiming my creativity. I’m happiest when I have fun things to do outside of work. I know it will take some major patience on my part to embrace my creativity. It seems that I lost so much of the creative side of my brain when I decided to study and then subsequently choose a career in STEM. In addition to patience, as I work my adult coloring book, or sew my headbands in exotic fabrics, I’ve started reading Julia Cameron’s work. She is the author of “The Artist’s Way” books; actually it’s a movement. Take a minute to read up on her techniques to help unblock creativity. Developing creativity helps to improve our attitude as we wait/work patiently to achieve our goals.

On the garden front several of the berries, herbs, and veggies are growing well. However, the zucchini and cucumbers are requiring a bit more patience than I expected. Last year the cucumbers were the continuous bumper crop; however, this year they seem to be producing well initially, but they die after only a few inches of growth. I’m going back to the drawing board and checking the basics to help ensure that I’ve set them up for success. You know sometimes despite our best efforts every endeavor; even ones we’ve been successful at before, has the potential to require more from us than we expected. In these moments we must have the patience to retrace our steps, course correct, and then keep moving forward.

Learning to be patient takes growth and commitment. It may not come all at once, but if we are brave enough to keep committing to our dreams, goals, or relationships, every day, we will develop this elusive virtue. Take a listen to “Patience” from the Dream Girls soundtrack; it will motivate you to keep working for the greatness that is destined to be yours!

Until next week,

Pernà