philosophy~

I take much of my inspiration for creativity from nature. The natural world has a flowing, effortless quality. Grass doesn't struggle to grow; flowers don't strain to bloom. It can be the same with creativity. When we tap into the natural, earthy quality of our creativity, it becomes an innate outpouring, an apprecia-
tion for being part of the larger creation of life.

How do we connect to that? How do we free ourselves from the self-limiting beliefs we may have about own abilities? I believe when we become quiet, still and, in essence, empty enough, creativity flows through us, much like the hollow reed of a flute makes music when empty of obstructions. To put it simply: we get out of our own way.

I'm not suggesting creativity is a divine and mystical gift meted out by capricious gods or that it should be easy and if it isn't, you're doing it wrong. But it can flow. It can unfold gracefully. We can have many more days connected to the source of our inspiration. And we can accept slow days and temporary blocks as a natural part of the process. First we need to lay a stable base so that creativity finds a hospitable home in our lives. We do this by reclaiming a sense of safety around creativity and exploring our relationship to our own creative selves, rediscovering what excites and intrigues us. Together we may explore such techniques as writing and visualizing exercises, journalling and meditation.

Meditation as a creative technique may be new to you, but its effectiveness in lowering stress and increasing focus and concentration is well-documented. This isn't about adopting some spiritual belief. I just encourage creative people to devote some time (even 15 minutes once or twice a day can help enormously) engaging in a meditative practice. Simple breath meditation is a good starting place (see the Creative Moment sidebar on the Services page for more information). Meditation quiets the restless, critical mind, a major barrier to creativity.