The Divine Force Within
I just received the following email:
Helloooo Nurse!
Could you tell us a bit about the creative process and share some tips on how to keep the creative juices flowing? I always find myself drifting out of the creative spell when I need it the most. Also, it would be great if you could cover an article on creative writing, such as novels.
Your biggest fan
Shadysnaps
Email/feedback makes me happy because to be honest, I don’t really get enough feedback on my blog, even though I love hearing from my readers. But it may have something to do with my blog being relatively new. The good news is that I’ve been getting more readers and it’s gaining popularity which reminds me of this little comic strip about bloggers…
Yes, it’s true, with enough consistent, focused, action you can be a successful blogger. It’s a fact. Just like with any pursuit you put your mind to. With enough focus, you will, without doubt succeed. There will be hitches, there will be challenges but that’s where discipline comes in. You’ve got to stick with it if you want it really badly. Try new techniques if you have to but focus your entire being on what you want and you will get it. It takes time, patience, faith and persistence.
So how do you get creative juices flowing? Well there are some obvious things to begin with:
Take care of your body, a mind cannot concentrate while your body screams for help. I am not a great example right now, but I am getting there and the nicer I am to my body, the more clear-minded I become. No, you’re not allowed to say you don’t have time to exercise, if you have time for Facebook and random non-intellectual TV shows.
Take care of your mind, don’t litter your brain with unnecessary thoughts and most of all don’t participate in gossip and other hurtful or hateful activities. Be accepting of things you are powerless to change and be determined to change things about your life you know you can change. Read a book instead of watching soapies, listen to classical music once in a while, dabble in something creative, like painting, writing, drawing, scrapbooking. We’re not looking for a masterpiece, we’re just feeding the soul. Go out by yourself at least once a week. You can go anywhere you please, restaurants, libraries, movies, museums, parks. There is a whole person inside of you that you neglect to spend time with.
One thing I’ve found that helps, is something author Julia Cameron calls “The morning pages” in her book “The Artists Way”. What you do is write three full pages of thoughts down every morning when you wake up, then throw out the pages. The idea behind it, is to empty your mind of wasteful clutter (purposeless thoughts) and if done consistently every morning, you will literally begin to feel lighter and your mind will become more focused. I find that I release enough mind clutter in 3 pages, to allow me to be more focused for the rest of the day on achieving my goals. “The artist’s way” is a great read for blocked creativity (and YES! We are ALL creative beings!).
More great advice came from the author of “Eat, Pray, Love”, Elizabeth Gilbert. One brilliant piece of advice she gives is that you should show up for your part. She (like many others) feels a “divine force” guiding her while she writes, almost as though someone else is writing for her. Julia Cameron also speaks of this force. Both of them see themselves as the medium for this “divine force” to express its genius. It takes the pressure off from the author and places it on this outside force which, in turn, allows you to be receptive to your own creativity.
Sometimes the “divine force” shows up, other times it doesn’t. But the trick is to show up for your part, sit at your computer and start writing, (or painting, or whatever it is you’re looking to do) and keep showing up for your part. Consistent focused action and you will succeed!
Watch this talk from Elizabeth Gilbert. It will be worth your time. 🙂
Lovyabubye! Comment below 🙂
