Connect with Your Inner Artist
In the "Roadblocks to Creativity" e-course, we look at the 7 most common things that block our creative expression. So, if we're "blocked" when we're facing those things, what are we like when we're free of them?
Well, certainly we're connected to our "Inner Artist". This is a part of each of us that is naturally:
Joyful - our Inner Artist sees the world as a magical place, full of curious things and people. Each day is a series of fun surprises and the chance to learn, practice and master the things we most love doing.
Exuberant - like a giddy child, our Inner Artist doesn't worry about the repercussions of expressing the joy they're feeling. We are who we are and that's the only person we can be, when we're connected with our Inner Artist.
Creatively Free - Our Inner Artist has a clear channel to the muse, to spirit, to the universe and to every creative force that has been seen and unseen since time began.
Undamaged - Whatever path our lives have taken up to this point, our Inner Artist remains whole and healthy.
Unhindered - our Inner Artist is completely unaffected by the internal and external factors that block our creativity on a day-to-day basis. Our Inner Artist is only aware of what's happening NOW and is not only untouched by any previous hurts, it's also unconcerned with any future outcome.
As a music therapist, it's my joy to be able to meet the "inner artist" of my clients with special needs. No matter what their disability or limitation, I look for and consistently find that joyful, healthy and whole person to connect to - and I find it in the midst of creative play.
When we as artists are connected to this part of ourselves, we're not only transcending our creative roadblocks (such as procrastination, negative thinking and people-pleasing), we're in a state of consummate creative flow.
Put it into play
Just for today, approach your art as child's play. Start your rehearsal by playing your instrument "wrong" or in two different keys. Write using only words that start with the letter "d". Paint with your non-dominant hand. Make mistakes. Laugh.
Indulge your Inner Artist on an "artist's date". This popular concept from Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" invites you to spend a couple of hours each week on an activity that feeds your creativity. Some examples:
Noodle - Play around on your instrument, with your art supplies or with new uses of words.
Doodle - On your sketchpad, on your wall or on the sidewalk.
Google - Get lost on the Internet, feeding your interests and creativity by seeing what's "out there". And what else is out there??
In other words, consciously spend time on creative pursuits that may not result in a product or well-defined outcome. Give yourself permission to TRY something and stay with it (or not, depending on how the mood strikes you), without knowing how it will turn out.
(c) Copyright 2005, Linda Dessau.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. Feel like your creativity is blocked? Sign-up for your complimentary copy of the popular e-course, "Roadblocks to Creativity" by visiting http://www.genuinecoaching.com
MORE RESOURCES:
FileMaker Developers Win $1000 for Your Creativity prMac (press release), TX - This is where your creativity will come into play. There are numerous FileMaker databases that are just waiting to be designed for use on the iPhone. ... |
 BigNews.biz (press release) | Creativity and Flexibility in Custom Branded Items: BigNews.biz (press release), MA - This high level of flexibility and creativity is found across the board in the product offerings of Factory Direct Promos ... |
Learning from small town creativity and commerce Princeton Union Eagle, MN - In both cases, they’ve responded with creativity and cooperation to draw in millions of dollars, and survive, as other places declined. ... |
Workplace Creativity Activated by Reflexology, Chair Massage PR Web (press release), WA - These blends are used in conjunction with specialized massage techniques to enhance mood, boost creativity and stimulate immune system function. ... |
Canada Amnesty International Secretary General: Cultural Show ... The Epoch Times, NY - It obviously reflects considerable hard work and talent and creativity," said Neve who is the Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada. ... Filmmaker Gets Ideas, Inspiration ‘A true delight’ Says Public Official |
 BBC Sport | Darlington boss wants creativity BBC Sport, UK - Darlington manager Dave Penney has warned his side they must be more creative going forward following Saturday's 2-1 win against Bournemouth. ... |
Market calls for creativity, quick thinking Inman.com, CA - By Inman News, Monday, January 5, 2009. Jacky Teplitzky is a managing director at Manhattan-based brokerage company Prudential Douglas Elliman, ... |
We have entered the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009! EurofundingMag, France - Innovate” has been chosen to illustrate the official launch of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 that will be done by the Czech Presidency ... EC Launches European Year of Creativity and Innovation |
Creativity, cooperation would yield workable plan for Duluth schools Duluth News Tribune, MN - The Duluth public schools could cooperate with the city of Duluth and the University of Minnesota Duluth to make the city more livable, more environmentally ... |
Creativity versus standards in the user interface InfoWorld, CA - On the other hand, creativity for its own sake just confuses users. I can think of dozens, perhaps hundreds of examples of user interfaces done badly for ... |
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