Last year I was asked to run a monthly forum called Writer's Roundtable, specifically for holistic practitioners. It's a blessing to speak to this group because I can speak about Spirit/God*. This past month I was asked how to begin writing. This is not an easy question to answer because there are so many facets to it, but here are a few thoughts that I shared that I've actually rewritten to not only include writing, but whatever creative endeavor has been calling to you.
I believe everyone is creative, but I also believe that there is work involved in exercising our creative side, especially if we have let it go dormant. Here are a few examples of the work that might be necessary to launch something creative:
1. If you are blocked by something such as procrastination or fear or something else, it might be helpful to work with a life coach or spiritual director to find out where your blocks are happening.
2. Prefer to work alone? Then a self-directed program might be right for you. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a good place to start. I used her ten-week workbook for an entire year, feeling I had exhausted all blocks after completing it 4 times in succession (I had flow afterward, writing my first book in one month).
3. Get the creative juices flowing by doing something creative every day. If it's painting, then paint. If it's interior decorating, then decorate. Here are suggestions of daily writing assignments if you are called to write: A. Journal your thoughts. B. Write poetry or a short story. C. Write letters to the editor of any magazine or newspaper you're reading.
4. Attend workshops or events that relate to your project (for writing it might be poetry readings, writer's conferences, public relations classes, etc.)
5. Do any or all of steps 1 to 4 and then start on your project.
Doing things related to writing has moved me in the direction of becoming a professional writer. Last week's Poetry Reading by the current Poet Laureate, Yolanda Wisher, gave me the idea to write a collection of poems using this method: come up with a topic and write all the descriptors down for that topic. With those words, write a poem about something that is not the topic. For example, her descriptive words were all about cooking, but her poem was about her love. One of the poems I just wrote is about my grandmother using diamonds as the topic. I'll debut it here and wish you lots of luck with your own creativity!
HOPE FOR GRANDMA GEM
Round face and pear shaped,
quiet yet attractively bright.
She interacts with fellow patients,
the marquis looking on.
Don’t leave yet. For Grandpa’s sake,
keep your sparkling breath
to cut his ego where you must.
Your words say it just so.
Opposite of a hard-cutting stone,
your belly is untamed now,
like the best grandmas
who like their own cooking.
Priceless to me,
and a Premier Rose to Grandpa.
Precise artistry fashioned you,
even the nervous breakdown was by design.
It made you stronger,
proportioned and polished.
Now a magnificent return to light,
we cried with the marquis.
He thought you unbreakable,
or at least less than he.
Never again would he say
“Give me some sugar.”
To magma you returned,
scattered into all colors of the rainbow.
Your scintillation dead,
but memory never forgotten.
I think of you often.
With clarity and color, you wrote words.
You wrote a poem for my mom’s assignment.
I believe you were capable of writing more.
Now I adorn empty pages,
My hope for Grandma Gem.
-----------------------------------------and a Premier Rose to Grandpa.
Precise artistry fashioned you,
even the nervous breakdown was by design.
It made you stronger,
proportioned and polished.
Now a magnificent return to light,
we cried with the marquis.
He thought you unbreakable,
or at least less than he.
Never again would he say
“Give me some sugar.”
To magma you returned,
scattered into all colors of the rainbow.
Your scintillation dead,
but memory never forgotten.
I think of you often.
With clarity and color, you wrote words.
You wrote a poem for my mom’s assignment.
I believe you were capable of writing more.
Now I adorn empty pages,
My hope for Grandma Gem.
Now for the reflective questions which you can journal about or if you'd like to share your story, the community and I would love to hear from you! Your comment could have a major impact on someone else. Most likely it will be just the right thing at the right time for one of the readers. For me, God* wanted me to know that helping even just one person is wonderfully impactful.
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Reflective questions:
1. What are you doing creative today (think broadly: i.e. it could be something as simple as substituting ingredients in a recipe).
2. What does God* want you to know about this (ask directly, "God, what do you want me to know?")
* I use the term God as a universal term. You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, Sensibility, etc. better suits you today. It is not for me to decide.
Photo by MH
Note: These posts are part of a broader call to do spiritual journaling which is simply journaling what's on your heart and mind and then asking God* what else you should know (read more at CardinalTouch.net).
