Connecting With Your Roots
In The Right to Write, Julia Cameron includes a chapter about “roots” as related to writing life.
In order to bloom, all of us need a root system. Just as a regular practice of writing roots us firmly in our lives, a regular life roots us firmly in our writing.
Sometimes I get so swept up and taken away by all the creativity pumping through my veins. Do you get that? Inspiration overdrive, baby. I get tuned in and this state-of-mind can last a few minutes, a few hours or even a few days. And, when I am in creative-mad-woman mode, it’s hard to pull myself away. But, I have to - and so do you.
My wedding is in 9 days. For the last eight months, August 23, 2008 has been this sanctimonious day on my calendar. Crazy how a day can cause normally rational people to get downright irrational at times. (I’m mainly referring to myself). So much focus on that one single day. I recently realized what was happening.
The deeper I sank into the trenches of the wedding hoopla, the more roots I was severing. If I kept going at this pace, I’d have no lifeline back to reality - and to the real importance of my wedding day.
Replenishment
I’m blessed with some wonderful people in my life. Four of them will stand next to me as I marry my best friend and the love of my life.
Three of those ladies live in Denver and must have sensed that I was slipping away into wedding insanity. They put me on a plane and treated me to bachelorett fun, Denver style. (The fourth is preggo with twins :))
Nurturing roots of a regular life sure is a whole hell of a lotta fun! Girls, thanks for the much needed break and the memories that will stick with me forever. You gave my roots a much-needed boost.
How Is Creativity Important In Your Life?
Linda Dessau posted an article at Creativity Portal a few days ago. The article, “What Does Creativity Bring To Your Life?,” is based on interviews she did with 19 different artists. And, it got me thinking about what creativity means in my life because it is such a huge part of everything I do.
In Linda’s article she identifies a number of themes that popped up throughout her discussions. Some stick out more than others, and some truly hit home.
Creativity brings a spiritual connection
Julia Cameron talks about how writing is not an act of pontification, rather one of revelation. I think you can extend that descriprion to include all practices of creative expression. It’s that idea of letting go — letting go and letting yourself become a channel for creativity.
When you can step back far enough and take your ego out of the picture, the creative process becomes this incredible path of discovery - even for the artist. Surprises wait around every corner of enlightenment.
Creativity brings a return to home, a “normalcy”
As my wedding day approaches, I find myself with less and less time to explore all the creative outlets that I love. When I finally find those intimate moments to put my creativity to work, I am immediately at ease, back in my element. When I am away from creating for too long, I become somewhat like this grumpy toddler who’s been toted all over town on mom’s shopping excursions, and wants nothing more than to go home to the place she knows best. For me, that is creativity.
Creativity brings a sense of self-worth and identity
Who am I without my creativity? It is how I make my life and my happiness. Creativity is who I am. I am fulfilled when I write or paint or create something exceptionally special. But really and truly, I am just satisfied when I am writing or painting or creating something. The process is what makes it special for me.
Creativity heals me
I am truly amazed at how powerful self-expression can be when you are hurt or suffering. Truly amazed.
Creativity brings happiness, energy and power
Are there days when you feel so inspired and so fueled by creativity that it almost overwhelms you? Sometimes I will find myself flipping through a magazine or perusing some website, and all of a sudden it’s like someone flipped the switch for my creativity. And they didn’t just flip the switch to ON, they turned it to the highest setting I’ve got. Do you know what I’m talking about? Holy cow, what a rush.
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So, what does creativity bring to your life? Do you identify with any of the themes that Linda listed in her article?
Sparks of Creativity: 3 Inspiring Sources for Writing, Crafting and Scrapbooking
There are so many different ways to spark your creativity. Today I want to share three different means that inspire me.
For Writing:
Book Mooch
I discovered BookMooch last year and have been addicted ever since. The concept is simple at its core: offer books you want to give away, get points when others mooch those books from you, use your points to mooch others’ books you want.
I truly believe there is no better inspiration for your own writing than the exceptional writing of those who have come before you. BookMooch is my favorite place to find an unexpected treasure. Example:
My most recent gem is Kenneth Atchity’s “A Writer’s Time: A Guide to the Creative Process, from Vision to Revision.” Atchity wrote the book about 22 years ago - before computers and cell phones and all this crazy technology. Some of the bare-bones advice is such a refreshing reminder of the importance of the writing process itself. One of my favorite lines has to do with writing your first draft. He talks about how the first draft is the time to get it all out, and then later worry about what to do with you. Atchity says, “This is the process of giving birth, not the process of surgical intervention.” Love it.
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For Crafting:
Paper Samples
If you are crafter, I’m willing to bet you have an appreciation, if not a downright obsession, for beautiful paper. The sheer number of texture, weight and color combinations make the possibilities endless. Paper can be luxurious, classy, stylish, elegant, artistic — oh and EXPENSIVE.
I’m letting one of my favorite paper crafting secrets out of the bag…..paper samples.
While a lot of companies don’t charge for their paper sample books, they are really made for designer and agency use. Your best source for a nice stock of sample books: your local advertising agencies. I promise you, most of these businesses will have more paper samples than they know what to do with - so help them with the answer: you!
A quick Google or Yellow Pages search will give you a good list of the agencies in your area. Call or email the art director in the agency and ask if they have any old paper sample books they might need to clear out. If so, try and get an idea of how many (so you know if you need more than one box for transport) and offer to come pick them up. Most likely, the agency will be grateful for the extra space you’ve helped clear.
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For Scrapbooking:
One thing I love about scrapbooking is that anyone can do it, with anything they want to use. You don;t have to have all the expensive tools and papers and embellishments to put together a beautiful memory on the page of your scrapbook. In fact, some of my favorite pages have been the ones where I was super thrifty and resourceful with the different elements I used.
In the 2-page layout about my college graduation, I took the ceremony program, an Alumni Association Annual Report and a football program, and cut out elements from each. Not only, did it add character to my page, but I was able to pull the things I wanted to keep from each bulky publication and then get rid of each, which freed up some of the clutter my scrapping tends to accumulate.
A Special Kind of Inspiration
“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.”
— Arthur Ashe —
When someone receives an unexpected gift, no matter the size or scope, there’s something about that moment when they first realize it. It’s that selfish reason that we give. The reason that makes us feel good inside.
And, if I’m not there for the moment, just the thought of passing along a brighter spot for someone’s day, well, honestly it allows to see the bigger picture.
Talk about an inspiring feeling.
I’ve been inspired by Cami Walker’s 29-Day Giving Challenge.
Creating 29 little bright spots in other people’s lives - I can’t think of a better way to challenge my creativity for the next 4 weeks. Keep up with my blog to see my 29-day journey.
Some Favorite Sources of Inspiration
Thought I’d share a few links today. These are just a few places that have been fueling my creative soul lately. Hope they work to fuel yours too!
::::: Creativity-Portal :::::
This is absolutely one of my NEWEST favs. Creativity-Portal is one of those sites where you will find something completely different every time you visit. All of the articles are top notch and provide some invaluable advice.
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And here is where I reveal my scrapbooking obsession. I bought Ali Edwards’ first book after seeing an ad in a magazine, and I’ve been addicted ever since. Her blog is more than just scrapbooking. She really does an amazing job of illustrating creativity in simple, sleek and totally lovable terms.
::::: Etsy :::::
This site simply amazes me. A place to buy and sell handmade goods, Etsy is a DIYer’s dream. I hope to get a store going soon now that I have the time to do so. This is also a place where I’ve found some wonderful inspiration for my wedding planning.
::::: Vintage Logos (flickr album) :::::
I cannot remember where I came across this collection, but ever since then I’ve found the striking simplicity that is exhibited in the pages is truly inspiring for design. Sometimes I tend to “overdo” things when it comes to designing. Something like this helps keep me grounded.
::::: Write to Done :::::
I wish Leo Babauta would write more than twice a week for this one. I definitely crave his incredible inspiration more than that. Luckily, I can read him at Zen Habits too!
