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TGIFF – Thank God It’s Friday Flow

Cliché Finds Flow on Friday

Grow flow on Friday with gratitude.

Congratulations, you’ve made it to Friday. And, at the workweek’s end, there is time to find flow. But, where do you go to find flow? First, realize that flow can happen anywhere at anytime. Need proof? Look at this past post on finding flow in a card and party goods store. Simply click right here: https://wewriteitright.com/visit-flow-in-a-party-goods-shop/

How Gratitude Leads the Way

Use grateful eyes to take in the world around you. Then, instead of planning to hit the bars and clubs when the clock strikes 5:00 PM, other options present themselves during these times of pandemic. Why not take a virtual tour a museum? Or, take a walk or bike ride through a park? Or, spend an hour working on a poem, and essay, or a blog post. When you are grateful for the options you have – even if you are working from home amid shutdowns – then that is enough.

Your Turn

Playtime creates greater flow.
Spirographs, Etch-a-Sketch, and Slinkys are just a few ways to re-enter flow through playtime. What was your favorite activity as a child? When was the last time you tried it as an adult?

Think back to grade school, junior high, or middle school. Think about the electives that you took that helped round out your schedule. Did you take dance or music classes? Weight training? Or, perhaps, like me, you did candle making. Whatever it might be, try to reunite your lost teen with your adult self. Take time to write, dance, sing, paint, or play with your Spirograph!  You’ll be glad you did!

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Gratitude Gently Grows Creative Flow

Creative Flow Grows From Gratitude

Gratitude increases flow.
Gratitude is an attitude that when practiced daily can grow creative flow even in harsh conditions.

Gratitude is a shift in attitude. It helps any situation become more bearable. How? First, gratitude helps us realize that there are silver linings within all situations. Also, gratitude makes what little good that is present seem to be enough. Finally, gratitude is a mind shift that not only helps ourselves, but anyone we interact with once we make the shift.

Take this heart I found on a sidewalk in New York City. It radiates warmth, care, and concern. Maybe the warmth came from the pink chalk? And, perhaps the care came from the symmetry of the rays coming from the heart? While I did not meet the artist, I did sense a sending out of these good pink heart vibes of concern for all passing.

The Art of Counting Blessings

Simply naming or listing the things we have going for us grows flow with gratitude. As the saying goes, it is better to light a candle than curse the dark. This intentional listing helps us move from a place of scarcity to abundance. Start with the basics creatives have: shelter, food, and clothing. Expand with the contacts, both personal and professional, experience, including education, and inspiration gleaned from it all. Finally, list the silver lining to the situation. Maybe wanting studio space is out of the question right now. The basement or garage provide adequate room to create. And, money is saved until the time comes to move into a studio. If that times arrives at all.

Your Turn

Take out your journal. List 10 situations that do not seem to be going your way. Choose one. Then, for 15 minutes brainstorm all the ways you can flip that situation. For example, if you think you need a studio to produce artwork, then rethink in your journal. Perhaps the kitchen table could be used a few times a week? Perhaps you live in a climate where you could set up outside. (If not currently, then when Spring arrives.) Describe to yourself on paper what an ideal studio looks like. Then, create a list of items you have and add a note to buy things you might need. Once the focus is turned towards what can be, then possibilities begin to arrive. Follow those leads. Be open to creating wherever you are.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Complimentary Acts Lead to Flow

Cultivating Kind Expressions Add to Creativity

Today’s word-a-day choice is complimentary: adj. 1 of the nature of, conveying, or expressing a compliment, often one that is politely flattering: a complimentary remark. 2. free: a complimentary ticket. Writers often encounter challenges with the second definition. Most often truncated to comp, as in tickets to a theater performance or to a sporting event, these free tickets and activities come at an unspoken assumed price. If an event is comped, then a favorable review is expected. Moreover, big ticket free trips, or junkets, are not allowed by professional media outlets. Legitimate extravagant travel must be covered by the publication or at the expense of the writer.

Practice makes perfect when saying thanks.
Practice receiving complimentary remarks by saying “Thank you!” in a mirror until it feels natural.

The Best Way to Respond to Words of Praise

The first definition of the word really pulls at my heartstrings. My father taught me to accept a compliment with grace. Never embellish or diminish words of praise. Simply say Thank you.  Practice saying Thank you! in a mirror until it feels natural. In doing so, you enable yourself to absorb the compliment and let the power of the words resonate deeply within your soul. And who doesn’t need to hear more kind words?

The Message of the Expression

Being aware of the compliments that the Universe on each of us is the message behind complimentary: You are surrounded by gifts you often fail to recognize. Be aware of the placement and the brilliance of the appointment of these gifts, which are readily given for your use. 

Your Turn

Take our your journal and free-write about how it feels to receive words of praise. Do you take them in well or do you dismiss them? Consider working on saying Thank you! in a mirror until it feels natural.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa