Tag Archives: creativity

During Such Times, What Matters?

Posted on by
7

Many of my writerly friends and students have contacted me recently discouraged and confused. What does any of “this” matter?, they ask. “Who cares what I write about?” Besides, they claim, “my story is not unique.” Let me respond first with a personal story. I found myself looking in the mirror lately with dismay. I see an old woman.  At the core of me I know a truth: that I am aging, and that I am doing a fine job of it. With the awareness that all judgment involves projection I looked around me. What do I see when I look at others? Do … Continue reading →

The Survival of Art and The Tailor from Aleppo by guest blogger Caroline Oldershaw

Posted on by
2,106

Despite the fact that a current candidate for President of the United States asked “what’s Aleppo?” when asked about his Middle East policies – I will assume that most of us know – if nothing else – that Syrian people are leaving their homeland to escape violence, destruction, privation, and death. According to the Migration Policy Centre, “an estimated 11 million Syrians have fled their homes since the outbreak of the civil war in March 2011. Now, in the sixth year of war, 13.5 million are in need of humanitarian assistance within the country. Among those escaping the conflict, the … Continue reading →

The Magic of Morning Pages by Susan Eaton Mendenhall

Posted on by
8

First thing in the morning. Three pages in long hand. Everyday. These are the basic guidelines of a writing practice called Morning Pages developed by Julia Cameron. Years ago I discovered Julia through her book, The Artist’s Way. I felt stuck in my life and her process of writing to break through creative blocks renewed me with hope. Perhaps this practice could give me direction. Morning Pages are not about being brilliant or artful or even making sense. It’s just putting words on paper as they come into consciousness. Julia Cameron makes a case that writing in long hand slows … Continue reading →

After The Final No

Posted on by
111

After the final no there comes a yes And on that yes the future world depends.                          – Wallace Stevens I led my first book, Hidden Victims Hidden Healers with this verse from Wallace Stevens.  I chose it to remind myself, and the reader, that there is a yes there, somewhere. You know as well as me, life is full of various versions of “NO:” rejections, pit falls, mistakes, losses, disappointments, misses, and more rejections. With the above book it took three years to find a publisher and I could have wallpapered my … Continue reading →

Better Late Than Never (Or Not?)

Posted on by
17

For me living the active life gets down to conversation and community. I emphasize doing spiritual and creative work in circle, whenever possible. I hold all my classes in circles because we are all teachers, we all bring something unique and meaningful to the whole. As a leader, I learn too from those who show up and share their wisdom. Writing, relationships, and spiritual practice depend upon our showing up in an on-going conversation around our ideas, intentions and questions. One of my circles is “virtual.” We meet on-line for a virtual writing circle around 5 am to write together. Community is felt … Continue reading →

The Dangers of Distraction

Posted on by
7

Whatever we give our attention to in our daily lives is what we cultivate, and as a result, becomes manifest. Whatever we nurture through attention grows; unless what we nurture isn’t “real.” This would be like watering a plastic plant. This plant can appear to take in all the light and water you give it but it will never grow. For me, too much attention to “searching”on the internet, television, to consumption, or other activities that really don’t result in anything, draw energy from that which will bring genuine happiness and fulfillment. Too much clutter is a huge distraction too … Continue reading →

How Not To Give Up – Even When Someone Beats You To It

Posted on by
3

Recently I came up with this Great Idea for a theme in a book. Then went to read Steven Pressfield’s popular Writing Wednesdays blog to find he beat me to it. What is a writer to do? Find out here: blogcritics.org.

How to Be Who You Already Are

Posted on by
6

Life is a journey of discovery and belonging. It is about making meaning from our experiences for ourselves while allowing the meaning we have made to change.  The active life is about being able to create and discover meaning in an ongoing way and not hold on to one meaning or we may miss an opportunity at hand. As Joseph Campbell put it, “If we are hanging on to the form now, we are not going to have the form next.” When we review our life and recall times that we experienced an awakening or an epiphany (either through someone else’s teachings … Continue reading →

The Spiritual Writer

Posted on by
9,357

Sometimes the word “spiritual” trips us up. That can be a good thing – means we may be slowed down enough to ask, just what do we mean by spiritual? Religion often tells us what our spiritual experiences should be as well as how to have them. We take all sorts of actions in the name of some god or religious belief. This then causes uncounted suffering on people, animals and nature. So, I would steer away from organized religion in its attempt to arrange your heart and mind, and in its often insistence that you stay in line (or … Continue reading →

Perseverance with an attitude.

Posted on by
4,350

Every kind of manifestation relies on our sticking with it, with our finishing what we started. Through our perseverance we achieve creative and spiritual states we would otherwise not experience. In fact, a lack of joyful effort, of sticking with “it” results in suffering and unhappiness. Our perseverance is all we have in the face of distractions, resistance and disappointment. Evidence points to perseverance being central to feelings of lasting satisfaction. Those who persevere with their commitments are happier and more satisfied, and more financially sound. When we are not joyfully participating in our creative and spiritual life, we are likely under … Continue reading →