Laurie

The enthusiasm or willingness to do something, and the reasons one has for doing it. That's 'motivation'. It's different for everyone. One person might be motivated to be creative for the stress relief. Another because it helps them work through things and grow better than therapy. Yet another is motivated because there's no safer, more private place to cultivate their spiritual connection.

I could not be happier to announce the Grand Opening and New Home for my Art! Come on over and take a look here:  www.LaurieMorseArt.com

Creative thinking is the ability to consider something in a new way. Creative thinking includes analysis, open-mindedness, problem-solving, organization, self-expression, and communication.

Most of us are more inspired by things we like. That's a creativity clue :) Engagement is one of the 3 components (the other two are creative thinking and motivation which we'll talk about next).

Most people consider Harvard respectable. Harvard, the NIH, The Am. Psychological Assoc. have all researched creativity. The news is good for you and me. They all have lots of interesting things to say, but I'll just throw out a few here....

Confusion abounds, while clarity patiently awaits your attention. We will never have clarity thru the glasses of confusion. Attention is key. Confusion gets worked out in a creative process, at which point there is space for clarity. 

Maybe you've heard of a "dark night of the Soul"? Here is one definition: A dark night of the soul is a kind of initiation, taking you from one phase of life into another. You may have several dark nights in the course of your life because you are always becoming more of a person and entering life more fully. 

Once your mind gets past, "I'm not creative", and becomes willing to explore just a little, something good opens in the heart and soul. This happens for everybody, no exceptions. 

More often than not, it seems like the world happenings are too much. How will we find our way out of the multitude of problems? What is it each one of us are supposed to do, and how can anything we do possible make a difference? 

Let's start with the definition of 'alchemy'.... based on the supposed transformation of matter, particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold; process of transformation, creation, or combination.

I find it utterly true that when I need to figure or work something out, the best place to do that is on a visual journal page. It is literally creativity teaching me about Life, offering solutions and inspiring me to be a better person, even when I feel like I can't possibly. The outcome doesn't matter, it's what happens in the process that is the gold.

One of the biggest barriers to a regular creative practice is time, space is another one, more on that in the near future :) Many of us are plagued by the 'not enough' syndrome. Not enough time. Not enough money. Not enough connection or joy or impact etc. 

Maybe you've made up your mind that you're not at all creative. Can't even draw a stick figure. I hear you. Those were my sentiments years ago. I wrote myself off as "definitely not creative" after trying to draw a teapot. It was hideous and I shoved it onto a closet shelf. Way in the back.

The Art of Returning to LOVE: How to show fear and stress the exit and HEAL, grab some tea... we're talking about...Ideas to alchemize feeling "hopeless". You can get the book free here: https://artofreturningtolove.com/pdf/ or on Amazon here: https://artofreturningtolove.com/book/ Join…

Book Club: The Art of Returning to LOVE... How to show fear and stress the exit and HEAL, grab some tea... we're talking about...food and matter. You can get the book free here: https://artofreturningtolove.com/pdf/ or on amazon here: https://artofreturningtolove.com/book/ Join…