Wordless Wednesday: Exciting New Venture

Rapunzel~

Secret Two: Honoring Your Inspirations

In the second chapter of 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women, we are encouraged to look at what inspires our creativity, pay special attention to what we love, who we really are.

I really enjoyed reading the examples of other artist's creative processes, what encourages, inspires and delights them, but I found it difficult to answer that question for myself. At this point I'm not even sure where I want my own creative journey to end, much less what tools I need to get there! Do I still want to write or is there something else out there calling me?

One part of the chapter that really stuck out for me was about Inventing Creative Rituals. Ah, now we're talking! I love schedules, plans, organization...it makes me feel as if there is some order and control in an otherwise chaotic life. Implementing a Creative Ritual for myself, that is where I think I need to begin, that is the starting point for me. I love this quote from Chris Madden:

"I can't sit down and write or start on a new project nless my closets and my life are organized...in order to let go and create, I need to have organization around me. When I come back from being away, as I did this morning, the first thing I had to do was clean out the refrigerator and bake something wonderful. I think it's about reclaiming my space"

Yes, yes, yes! I know exactly how she feels! Perhaps this is the reason I've been so driven lately to get my house in order, tearing through closets, washing everything in sight, making my way to the bottom of the ironing basket, completing long-overdue projects - I need to clear a place for myself, for my creativity, I need to reclaim my space! Remember on my birthday when I set up a craft area for myself in the guest room? I was preparing for this moment! I haven't used it yet, but it's there, waiting for the moment when I'm ready to begin!

This is so exciting to me, to understand that even if I didn't consciously realize it, I was making room for myself all along. My soul knew what I needed, what I was craving, I just needed to listen.

For the next week I'm going to continue paying close attention to what sparks me, what makes me feel alive, brings me joy, opens my heart and mind. I'm going to work on a daily ritual to honor those things and help bring them more to light. This morning my inspiration comes from the view outside my patio, my favorite color all around me, fresh cup of coffee in my little chicken mug, cool breeze bringing the scent of lavender from my herb garden, birds singing, the softness of my new floral robe wrapped around my body..little things that delight me. Life is filled with such sweet, precious moments, we only need to stop and pay attention.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Jamie at Starshyne Productions posted this prompt today:

What do You Wish for Your Creativity?

Immediately came to my mind: Courage. Confidence.

Without the former I won't even begin a project, allowing fear to keep me in My Place, mired in my own insecurity and doubt.

Sans the latter I'll just quit, believing the inner demons that taunt me, whispering in my ear that I'm not Good Enough, so why even bother?

If you'd like to join in the Wishcasting, please pop over to Jamie's blog and join in. There is great power in wishing together.

The First Secret of Highly Creative Women

"We need to remember that we are all created creative and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed" ~ Maya Angelou
Secret One: Acknowledging Your Creative Self

I am participating in Jamie Ridler's blogging book group on Gail McMeekin's book, "The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women." I am supposed to read the chapter and post each Friday starting Jan 9th but, alas, some life events got in the way and that didn't happen. While this particular occasion warranted the delay (my daughter's car accident took precedence of course!), it makes me wonder just how many times I allowed life, others, to stand in the way of my own creative process.

As a child and young adult, I was a passionate reader and writer. My goal, my dream, was to be an author and, frankly, back then I had the talent for it. There is a certain confidence in knowing that one is better than most at something, anything, and for me that was writing. No matter what else I failed at..sports, relationships, etc...I could always write. Somewhere along the way I put aside that passion and my talent as well as my soul has suffered for it. I lost my confidence, my belief in myself, eventually choosing to see myself through the eyes of those who put me down and considered me "less than." They didn't see the passionate creative woman trying so desperately to hold onto herself, didn't understand that even though I was no longer writing, not even "working" by society's standards, I was still expressing myself as best I could in other, less obvious ways. Instead of the written word I practiced the fine art of homemaking, of craft, baking and cooking, all done with love for my family and friends, and all done with great passion.

My life changed 5 years ago when my marriage ended, I no longer had the time or inclination to whip up fancy dinners and desserts, had no desire for crafts and for a while my house did not feel like a home. Now, however, I'm in a much different, much better place..my children are grown and leaving the nest one by one, I have found true love with someone who sees the best & beautiful in me, so once again I turn inward to the long-neglected places in my soul that have been patiently waiting to be tended.

So, with the help of this book and this group, I look forward to rediscovering my inner artist, in whatever form she chooses to reveal herself. Rapunzel, come out and play!