Creative minds..

Creative minds have always been known to survive any kind of bad training- Anna Frued  

Imagination - Einstein

Imagination is more important than knowledge - Albert Einstein

Risk and Creativity

When seeking to explore a new area, it is important to learn the basics first and to exercise patience. My nephew is a rock climber.  Last year, he climbed the face of Half Dome in Yosemite National park with some friends. Before attempting such a feat, for many months he studied the various techniques and learned the jargon of the trade. He invested in an array of proper safety equipment. He climbed smaller rocks near his home on a regular basis. He listened to more experienced rock climbers. When climbing, he was extremely focused. However, even though he is incredibly strong and very capable, he has the wisdom to clip onto a safety rope when climbing. Yes, rock climbing is risky, but approached with forethought and care, he can enjoy the beauty and thrill of being on the face of a massive granite rock looking down at a beautiful valley – somewhere that very few people have been.

In aspiring to be creative, there are several things we can learn here. First, we need patience. Then, we need to seek out the advice and wisdom of those that have come before us and have more experience. We need to be humble enough to admit we don’t know everything. Then, we need to master the basics and build our skills. We need to equip ourselves with the right tools. Last, we need to surround ourselves with people we can trust to be there to catch us if we fall. But ultimately, if we are to grow, we need to challenge ourselves to go where we are stretched to our limits.

New Years - Recreation Time

For many, the word “recreation” means doing something that is physically challenging. However, recreation encompasses a broad range of activities. The word itself is comprised of “re” and “create” and means to recreate oneself. Some people find physically challenging activities to be re-creating. Others gravitate towards quite, focused activities that manifest something external to oneself that is a reflection of inner vision. News years is often a time for us to reflect on the past and consider what we might do in the coming year to recreate oneself. You are invited to share what activities you find most helpful in recreating yourself or what new things you might tackle in the coming year to recreate yourself.

Change - There's Nothing So Constant

Change can be stressful. Many of life’s most traumatic events involve change…divorce, death, sickness, being laid off, learning a new job just to name a few. But change can also be a good thing. In order for the neurons in our brains to remain plastic and to build new connections, we need to stimulate our brain by doing things that are a bit of a stretch for us.  Pursuing a new creative outlet is a great way to stimulate our brains. Unlike doing a crossword puzzle, painting, drawing, sculpting, knitting and other artistic activities are kinesthetic (i.e., they involve body mechanics). As such, these activities are more challenging and the benefits may be greater.  

With the coming New Year, I encourage you to pursue some new creative endeavor whether it’s learning a musical instrument, drawing or whatever.

I invite you to comment on what creative challenges you might tackle for 2012.

Autumn Morning Walk

Long shadows stretch across the path

Leaves, orange, red and brown scattered like confetti

Silver light filtered through gauze of dust

Air still

Anticipating cold wind that permeates gaps

Time to reflect, to slow

To give thanks, slow cook

The smell of roasted chicken permeates the house

Soft lap blanked wrapped around legs curled on couch

Cozy

Sonya Edwards, Nov 14, 2011

Energy - A Gift of the Spirit

When my girlfriend Caroline turned 50, I wanted to give her something very special. Caroline is a beautiful woman who likes to dress very classy. I spent 5 hours making her a beaded necklace with purple beads and amber colored Swarovski crystals. When having lunch with her recently, she told me she gets more complements on that necklace than other piece of jewelry she owns. Even strangers come up to her and complement her. My jewelry provides the focal point for her good taste. She said she can trust that my jewelry is high quality. In turn, she later commissioned me to make a custom anklet for one of her dear friends. She said it is a way to support one friend as an artist while doing something special for another friend.  I feel honored that my jewelry was Caroline’s way of saying to her friend, I value our friendship enough to buy you something special.