How to Get Creative Ideas

Creative Ideas -What Are You Looking At?

Birds and Cherries

So many of my students and clients ask me how they can find inspiration for creativity on a daily basis.
My suggestion is always the following: Pay Attention.
INSPIRATION is literally EVERYWHERE.

Anything that quickens you, attracts you, interests you, fascinates you has the power to be INSPIRATION.

Yesterday, besides losing my keys, I snapped things that caught my eye when out walking with my girl.
You can be sure, they will influence my art and creative writing over time.

They represent nature having a conversation with me.

Try taking mental photos of odd things that catch your eye.  Or snap a shot with your camera and look back over a week.  Notice how your eye is being caught by things - be playful, curious, adventurous.

Abundant Trunks

Light on Water

Years of History

Looking For Some Good Advice?

Looking For Some Good Advice - Go For Wisdom Within

There is a quiet place for your soul to listen - Harmony Thiessen

Mini Lesson in listening.

It's easy with so many blogs to read, 24 hour radio talk shows with experts, editorial pages, chatty friends, colleagues at work and handy dandy family members to be caught up in "getting advice."

Your creative genius can in fact flourish with the guidance of a good friend or magazine article.  But don't underestimate the WISDOM FROM WITHIN.

Simple Wisdom From Within Exercise

Write down on a piece of paper:

John (Pick a name different than your own) has a problem with his wife's attitude about money (insert your own problem there, but attribute it to your imaginary friend :-) )  He's asked you to help. What questions would you ask John?

Now, Write down the questions that pop in your head.

Follow up with writing down the answers that pop in your head. 

This simple technique will help you move aside and answer questions with less inhibitions than if you were to to talk directly to yourself.  You are "coaching" someone else.

Biggest Challenge in this Technique

Getting stuck.  Forcing an answer.  If after you sit quietly for 3 or 5 minutes you are not "hearing an answer" - go get coffee, make the bed, take the dog out, brush your teeth.  Now come back, ask again.  Often we just need to move (literally and figuratively) to make room for clarity.

If you have questions or you get stuck, or simply want to tell me if it worked for you...leave me a comment below.  Want more tips - subscribe to this blog!  Thanks for stopping by.

 

Did You Play Today?

The Buddha at my house reminds me to PLAY

Did You Play with Life, Your Kids, Your Mate, Your Troubles or Just for Fun Today?

(Note: I removed with yourself as I just couldn't get past it for the post! :-)

I love to play.  Always have. But darn it.  I am really serious too.
Serious about bills.
About money or no.
About dirt, dog hair, scroungy feet that need a pedi - work.
HOLY COW, I am so serious about work, I forget to enjoy it.

I can forget that honestly, who cares?
Life is so fleeting what I think is C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L is really, just another day, another issue.

I have too many friends dying these days to keep going on valuing the serious so much.

I SAY PLAY.  Play today with anything we can get our hands on (I know, I know - there I go again!)
Play with soap, the pup, dog hair you sweep up, your hair, makeup, paint, words, people.
Play while you think
Play while you clean
Play while you sing
Play while you type.

Play.
Play with guts.

Oh, and have fun while you play!

Picasso's Memo

Picasso's Memo - Legendary Art

Picasso Portrait of Ambroise Vollard

Public Domain as offered by WP Clip Art

"I do not evolve.  I am"

I can hear a raging philosophical debate.
I don't really care about my opinion or yours - as we tend to focus on the words and argue from spiritual "truths" to semantics. The words of Legendary Art are carved in history.

Let's be creative and listen.

What is being said beyond the blocks of our thinking?
How does the message impact your decisions today?
Who are you with the intention of these words?

How do you feel?
What do they convey to your breath?  Did it speed up?  Did you choke?

Dear ones, this is the road to your creative self.  The road as some might say, less traveled. (with all due respect to M.Scott Peck)

I am alive with possibility.

Your comments are welcome.