"You take the pen, and the lines dance. You take the flute and the notes shimmer. You take the brush, and the colors sing. So all things have meaning and beauty in that space beyond time where you are. How, then, can I hold back anything from you?" ~ Dag Hammarskjφld
It's impossible to explain creativity. When it flows, I enter a zone of inspiration and light where miracles happen. Unbound by time and space, by holding nothing back you can push the limits to find soul-satisfying magic and as Plato put it, "divine madness."
Playwright Edward Albee described, "The thing that makes a creative person is to be creative and that is all there is to it."
EXHAUST THE LIMITS...
"O my soul, do not aspire to immortal life, but exhaust the limits of the possible." ~ Pindar
I've always called the flow of creativity "eros" because it feels passionate, a kaleidoscope of spirituality and heart. But it's more than that. It's deeply personal, sometimes elusive. It's a tidal wave of emotions. It's a filling up and a pouring out. Creativity is a celebration of life's patterns and incongruities.
Filmmaker Fredrico Fellini relied on his dreams to inspire creativity. Writer Brian Aldiss called creativity "in part a solution to a problem." And innovator Edwin Land said, "An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail."
BIRTH GIVER...
"The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birth giver." ~ Madeleine L'Engle
Creativity gives birth to new ideas. With the gift of creativity comes a sense of responsibility. If I'm giving life to this idea, this creation, I need to take responsibility for the work.
Always, I want what I create to be true to who I am. There's a stamp of "me" there. Even something simple, like wrapping a present or fixing a meal, the spark of creativity has me tying a fresh flower to the box or adding a creative garnish to the plate.
Why do ANYTHING in half-measure? Why hold back?
INNER CAPACITIES
"Be sensitive to your sensitive inner capacities to respond to color." ~ Nathan Cabot Hale
I'm sure you've noticed how color blossoms at Daily Celebrations. I love markers and pens and journaling with different colored ink. Color highlights words and brings life to ideas. There's playfulness with color and childhood memories of coloring books and the delight of a brand new box of crayons.
How do you explain that? What mystery. What bliss.
OUR LIGHT...
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frighten us. " ~ Marianne Williamson
Shine!
Thank you to Doug for his email explaining that the above quote from last week's newsletter was originally by Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love, not Nelson Mandela as I cited. Did anyone else catch that one? Thanks, it gave me an opportunity to run the quote again and spread more light.
HIGHFALUTIN WORD...
"Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday." ~ Ray Kroc
Trust McDonalds burger meister Ray Kroc to get to the nuts and bolts of creativity. Roll up your sleeves
research, plan, and prepare. Creativity requires commitment and discipline. It's hard work to dig deep and create truth that blossoms in life's passionate colors.
"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write if he is ultimately to be at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be." ~ Abraham Maslow
"Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God." ~ Julia Cameron
Here's wishing you surges of creativity!
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