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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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Music’s Rhythm Rolls in Flow

Roll with Music’s Rhythm for Flow

The Rhythm is gonna get'cha!
Take a music break to find flow through rhythm.

Music’s rhythm is a great self-help tool. Creatives can easily put it into practice. The spontaneous drum beat, rattle shake, or chime ping finds flow. How? There are a few reasons. First, movement is forward reaching. Each sound created resonates into the future. Next, the strumming, tapping, or jiggling is a pleasurable physical sensation. The action moves us outside the current situation. And, the rhythm is comforting. Finally, music and other art forms re-enforce the experience. Bongos patted during an enhanced poetry reading is an example.  A synergy heightens both the drummer and the poet. And, that interaction influences anyone listening in a positive way, too.

The Sound of Music

Having assorted instruments in an office makes it easy to take a music break. Then, when tension builds over a looming deadline, a few minutes spent plucking a juice harp can help. And, of course, a guitar or miniature xylophone, or even the soothing sound of a metronome, can do the trick. The point is to find sounds that feel reassuring. Or, satisfying, to listen to or create.

Your Turn

Over the weekend, take time to dig out your harmonica. Or, find the bugle that is in the attic from marching band in high school. Polish up the instrument. Need to buy one? Look at thrift stores or music shops for used triangles, tambourines, or other small-scale instruments. Put them on a shelf in your office. There they will be at the ready for a spontaneous jam session. Work out any block with ease. Realize that the music literally lifts your vibration internally and externally.  As Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine reminds us: No way, you can fight it every day/ But no matter what you say/ You know it the rhythm is gonna get’cha…. Want the whole song? Click here to watch after the ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-INTCDod2TA

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

 

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Tears: Self-Care Tool Most Avoid

Self-Care Through Tears

Dogs lead with compassion.
Dogs help us to remember that there is always room for kindness.

Sometimes self-care is something we avoid, because it involves tears. And, many folks perceive a good cry and as weakness. If anything at all, tears are a sign of surrender. First, they allow bottled up emotions to find a safe escape route. Second, they help us realign with our inner-strength. Finally, tears help us to move beyond keeping up appearances to make others feel comfortable when a good cry is needed. For these – and so many other reasons – tears are an under-appreciated self-help tool.

Surrendering to Present Emotions

Tears sting. Why? Because they remind us that pain has found a way to escape our hearts through a cry. And, just like others, I try to avoid crying at all costs. Yet, I find myself surrendering to tears more and more as situations warrant them. For example, my dear 14-year old dog, Savannah, is winding down. She has late-stage kidney failure, which was diagnosed over a year ago. While she has been taking a bite or two of food and a few sips of water over the last week, she has lost her zest for life. Sleep, rest, and recovery from the simplest walk outside to relieve herself, consume her days.

She has struggled more lately with keeping her balance as she moves.  As a result, she fell into the deep end of our swimming pool. Luckily, my husband rushed to lift her doing the doggy paddle, wet and shaking, onto the walkway at water’s edge. Soaked, she shook it off as her instincts dictate. Later, sitting on the floor of my office, I read to Savannah from Margaret Atwood’s book of poetry called, The Door. And, when I got to Dutiful‘s second stanza, my voice snagged in my throat and tears flowed as I read: Still, why do I feel so responsible/ for the wailing from shattered houses,/ for birth defects and unjust wars,/  and the soft, unbearable sadness/ filtering down from distant stars? And, yes, for the poolside mishaps of my aging, furry friend, too.

Your Turn

Open your journal and free-write for 15 minutes on any unresolved issue that causes pain. And, by pain I mean anything that hurts emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. If a mix of the four tumbles out of your pen, then that is fine. Reread what you wrote. Make time in your week to give yourself the room and space to cry. You can tap into them in a variety of ways. Look through an old photo album or in your cell’s photo stream. Watch a sentimental movie, like My Dog Skip. Listen to some soulful music, or, like me, read some poetry aloud. Then, write in your journal about how that felt, too.

Here’s to gently growing your flow,

Marisa Moks-Unger