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Unlocking depth: How images open the door to soulful writing
During the many years that I led creative writing workshops, I noticed something interesting about the thing invited deep writing. Some writing prompts–often involving words or newspaper headlines–kept people entrenched in analytical thinking and… their subsequent writing was heady and dry. Their writing might have been slick and witty, but it was rarely deep or…
Metaphor changes how we perceive and therefore, how we think
Years ago, I was listening to a radio program where a climate scientist was being interviewed, and the show was taking questions from the audience. The first caller said adamantly, “No way. It doesn’t matter how much data you have. Climate change is not real.” It was immediately clear that no amount of data was…
If you’re overwhelmed, unclear, or not getting things done…. BE a SQUARE
Creative, spiritually-oriented folks have absolutely no problem coming up with new visions and wildly wonderful creative ideas. But manifesting those ideas, or simply losing that frickin’ 10 pounds…. Not so easy. As a creative person, I don’t need more ideas. I need discipline, definition and clarity. I need square energy. Let’s take a moment and…
Why Inspiration matters more than information: Lessons from leadership & creativity
In addition to feeling delighted by the new president-elect, I’ve been deeply inspired by the creative visions and voices that emerged during the campaign and beyond. People are on fire, and I love it. Early in the primaries, syndicated columnist Mark Shields highlighted a key distinction between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama: “If you’re looking…
The untamed truth about the creative process
The creative process is often romanticized, but it’s far from tidy or predictable. Here are five things you might not know about creativity—and why it demands both respect and courage. 1. It’s Destructive. Creation and destruction go hand in hand. The creative process clears out what no longer serves, making space for the new. It…
Discovering aesthetic space: Awakening to beauty and creative potential
I’ve always been drawn to the idea of creating space. For years, a note on my computer reminded me, “Create Space for Spirit to Speak.” Without space, it’s impossible to bring anything new or creative into being because our lives are already too full. Take writing, for example—you have to create physical, mental, and emotional…