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CREATIVE FINGERPRINTS - DON'T SIT ON YOUR HANDS
September 2019
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“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.” -Alexander Den Heijer
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All artists, and by artists, I mean every one of us, can create in some way form or fashion. Our own creativity is as unique as our fingerprint. Creativeness isn't limited to words, drawings, or music; it includes necessity, ingenuity, and the ability to see past what already exists. Creativity is discovery in whatever form it takes.
Having said all this about being creative, what happens when we become stuck? When we lose our desire or misplace our will to create. Maybe it's because we've narrowed our vision, or fallen prey to outside influences. This triggers anxiety and our creativity withers, or we decide to push harder. Let's take a look at the first option: The withering of creativity -Alexander Den Heijer stated: "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." For those who are not familiar with Den Heijer, he has written a very insightful book called Nothing You Don't Already Know. The point is that we need to take a look at what is stifling our creativity. What around us is taking over and wilting us? Has our environment changed, or does it no longer suit our needs? We are influenced by what we surround ourselves with. That statement leads a truth; we are in control of what and who we chose to have around us. We create our environment. The second step is a bit harder. Why have we let the external affect the internal so drastically? Creativity comes from within. Our ability to create is personal. Whether it's writing an elegantly crafted sentence, stringing together just the right combination of musical notes to a song, or engineering the most ingenious mathematical equation, it's personal. It becomes necessary to look inward to see what may be blocking us. Emily Rose Barr in a blog for nosidebar.com depicts looking describes steps to take to look inward. She gives five easy steps on how to get back to who you are. These steps are an excellent place to start regaining your creative flow. How about that second option: Let' push harder and push through it. Wellness author Christine Arylo, in a blog at Huffpost.com writes: The challenge is that most of us don't know we are pushing ourselves too hard until we have already gotten to the "bad place" -- the land of the crabby, the self-critical and the unhappy version of ourselves. The first step in transforming self-induced pressure to a more supportive, sustainable way of living is awareness, knowing the signs for when we are pushing ourselves too hard. Arylo depicts there are five signs we are pushing too hard. I will not cover those five signs, but the link to the blog is live by clicking on Huffpost.com hyperlink. If we are unable to craft with the mastery that we've become accustomed to and now we add the pressure of pushing harder, the only thing we have created is a downward spiral. Pushing ourselves harder; an old school thought is not the way. The flip side of that; letting ourselves "off the hook," some would call this a more modern approach, is also not the way. Both methods are ways of deterring us from looking at the root of the matter. The Answer: Take a look at what has changed to cause the rift in our creative self. See why it has affected us so and find a creative way back. Yes, I said a creative way back. After all, that is our nature. An important note- asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of authentic power. Not asking for help is a weakness. It causes us to stay hidden in the shadows, silently suffering. Creativity is a gift we all possess and it manifests itself in hundreds of thousands of ways. If you get in a rut or forget your passion for being creative, use that which comes naturally to you to find a way back. Know that you have it within you to do so. Your creativity is your expression; share it with the world. |
In the middle of August I came out with my first newsletter. I was happily surprised at the response to it. today we will in a very small world thanks to electronic innovations, but that didn't take away from the glee I felt when I received likes and emails from around the world about the newsletter. I am diligently working on the September issue now and hope to release it into the world around the middle of the month. Please sign up if you wish to receive it. If you like to receive the first newsletter please click on the contact me button below and ask for the August 2019 newsletter. I like to share information that people think might be of some interest to others so if you have a blog or bit of information that you feel will be a good fit for the newsletter, send it to me. 
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Excerpts From My Desk |
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I hope you enjoy this snippet from my novel. Green Haven Chapter 5
“Time of Death 8:58 am.” The prefilled paper only needed the resident’s name, date of birth, and cause of death. Cathy could do this in seconds and probably with her eyes closed. She turned her attention to the tall priestly man and his plainly dressed, but attractive female sidekick, who were looming in the shadows awaiting their cue. Without the slightest bit of emotion, Cathy summoned them into action as she walked past them. “Okay, do that thing you guys do.” Father Brendan looked at Sister Diane. “I know. We’ve had this conversation many times. The result is always the same.” Sister Diane placed her hands on her narrow hips. “But, shouldn’t we talk to her. She can’t be that callous to it?” “We both agreed. We cannot judge her. And perhaps, she should be hardened to death. Nurse Cathy’s lack of emotion is how she deals with death.” Father Brendan made a sign of the cross as though he was blessing Cathy. |
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Monthly Recommendation
Here you can find my recommendation for the month. If you have read a book, article, or blog that you think others might want to know about, send it to me and you could find it listed here.
This month is for all you aspiring authors. Make sure to get the latest additions. 1. The Art Of Asking by Amanda Palmer. For this one I actually listened to her book on Audible. My suggestion is to listen to the book. Amanda's personality and distinctive storytelling is a definite plus. |
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Recently Discovered |
Justin Sight
Artist: Justin Sight (magician and more) YouTube: Justin Sight Website: https://www.justinsightmagic.com |
htheThis month’s Artist Highlight is with magician, Justin Sight
I have known Justin for many years. Before he dazzled people with his up-close magic, he wooed them with his mystical wisdom. Justin doesn’t perceive the world like most of us do; and it’s not because he is legally blind. No, from a young age Justin has perused a deeper knowing of himself and the world. Wheather this led him to combine the mystical magic with his physical magic that he now performs is a question you’ll have to ask him yourself. Justin moved to NYC to live out his dream of performing up-close street magic. What he created was a world that people could lose themselves in, even if it’s just for a minute. Justin has traveled internationally performing his magic while doling out bits of wisdom. Why is Justin different from other magicians? Because through slight of hand (the magic), tomfoolery (the fun), and spoken word (the wisdom), we unknowing learn about the workings of life. Still don’t get what I’m talking about? Then go to JustinSightmagic.com to see what’s on the horizon for Justin. For a taste of Justin Sight’s magic, watch him on YouTube. You never know what magic Justin Sight has in store for you. * * * * * If you would like to be a featured author or know someone who might want to be featured please contact me. |