You don’t have
to paint a picture or write a poem to be considered “creative”. Here’s the
honest truth – everyone is creative. That’s because life is a
creative task. Put simply, we create intentions, then shape the world to make
those intentions become our reality. So, in 2010, I want this to be your No. 1
resolution: “Be More Creative!” Let me tell you how you can easily do it.
Where does
creativity begin? In our minds, of course, but I also believe creativity comes
from a higher source – the divine – in the form of inspiration. The word
“inspiration” actually means “God’s breath”, and ancient mystics believed the
angels whispered ideas into people’s heads. Mozart, one of humanity’s most
brilliant composers, said he heard the music in his head and then transcribed
it onto paper. Listen to Mozart’s “Requiem”: It will touch your soul. Stephen
Spielberg has said that his film “ET” began, in part, as a dream. And what a
beautiful movie that was.
But creativity isn’t
all God’s breath. A lot is up to our own huffing and puffing. We have to be
that Little Engine Who Could, and keep repeating “I think I can, I think I can”
as we climb each hill. As Einstein said, “Genius is 10 percent inspiration and
90 percent perspiration.”
Recognize the
divine power within yourself, tap into that inspiration and use it to create
the life you want. And how do you do that? Simple: Make some quiet time each
day to focus on the peace that is within. I know this sounds like a
contradiction, but within that stillness is a voice. Call it your higher self,
the voice of reason or God’s breath – but it’s there, and it knows what you
want and how you can get it. The seeds of creativity are within you now. Use
your inner wisdom to shape your life and create – well, what do you want?
(Hint: The possibilities are endless.)
Here are a
couple ways to tune into the inspiration and begin your creative process:
Meditate. Clear your mind of life’s
clutter and allow inspiration in to visit. Set aside some time each day as
your sacred time to just relax. You don’t need to chant or go into a
trance or sit cross-legged on the floor. Just turn off your cell phone and
sit still in the silence. Or, if you’d like, put on some soft music (classical
or New Age artists like Merlin’s Magic, 2002 or Steven Halpern are good). Do
this for consistently and discover how refreshed you feel; I love meditation’s
healing and restorative powers as well as the peace it produces.
Yoga is another form of mindfulness.
It’s an excellent form of exercise to connect with your chi, the divine
energy that flows through your body. Plus, the simple exercises tone your
body, get your circulation going, and raise your vibration level. Another
plus: Yoga classes allow you to experience a group energy of like-minded
individuals. And as the saying goes, “When like-minds come together, great
things can happen.”
Walking is a form of meditation AND
exercise. A good mind-clearing walk in the park – which Doreen Virtue
calls “the chance to meet your nature angels” – will help you tune into a
higher source for inspiration. But even if you walk through your neighbourhood,
and the only trees you see are on people’s lawns, it’s good to get outside
and clear your mind. The act of putting one foot before the next is like
listening to a rhythmic mantra, and you’ll be surprised at how your mind-clearing
walk allows creativity to flow in. Bring a writing instrument and paper to
record any thoughts during your mindful walk.
The next step (pun intended) in
walking – find a labyrinth. Some friends have created one on their farm
and they use it as a meditative device, walking the circular path for
about 20 minutes. They swear walking the labyrinth brings them renewed
inspiration. It is also a very spiritual exercise. The Toronto Labyrinth
Network (www.labyrinthnetwork.ca ) lists several labyrinths in the area –
many of them free and open to the public – and numerous ones worldwide.
Inspiration
comes from your higher source. When we learn to tap into this source, we can use
it to create intention (our dreams), energy (the power we have to make our
dreams real) and flow (the ability to live our dreams and share them with
others). But the key ingredient is creativity. Inspiration without energy is a daydream, and
energy without inspiration is a rudderless ship going around in circles. But
inspiration combined with energy allows us to create (there’s that “creativity”
word again!) whatever we want.
What’s your
dream? Can you create it? Of course you can!! You have all of 2010 to do it. So
what are you waiting for?
