The Dichotomy of a Practical Mind and a Dreaming Heart

In the woods in Killarney

You already know where this post is going. I probably don’t even have to write it. Ok. Blessings, Lisa

Haha…no, I’m going to write it anyway! πŸ™‚

My heart is always dreaming, day dreaming, night dreaming, walking around dreaming. New ideas, new adventures, new horizons.

But my troublesome practical mind puts brakes on many of these things before they can take off and leave the ground. ‘It’s too expensive….we need to save for retirement….you need to be a responsible adult….” You get the idea.

Depending on how your mind and heart is wired, you may agree with one side or the other. “It’s a good thing she has that practical mind; no telling what she’d do.” Or, “She needs to follow her dreams and take more chances.”

But what if you are a practical dreamer?

God gives hopes and dreams. God gives us sound minds. God gives us all things. I just pray that I can hear what He is saying and where He is leading.

Blessings, (again)

Lisa

The Dichotomy of a Soft Heart and a Tough Skin

Artists, writers, musicians, dancers, or anyone in a creative field need soft hearts. They need to be able to see the beauty, the heartbreak, the story of the world with sensitivity. They need to completely feel it all. Let it soak in, and then let it out in some sort of expression.

Then these same souls have to submit their work to others for either acceptance or rejection. Is it good enough? Is it interesting to others? Will it sell? It requires nerves of steel and a tough skin when the inevitable rejections come along.

The line between that soft heart and tough skin is a tricky one to find and maintain. All I know is that I must keep trying, because creating things is what keeps me going, it is what defines me as a person that God made. So, I’m shrugging it off, laughing, and writing. It’s all part of it.

So, paint well, sing loudly, write away, dance your heart out. It is a beautiful thing.

Blessings, Lisa

P.S. Sarcastic or humorous comments welcome, as humor always helps. πŸ˜‰

Do Something

Scenario One: Person sitting in chair, eyes glued to a lit screen, reading about depressing news and other people’s lives. No movement, and a mild sense of anxiety pervades.

Scenario Two: Person closes screen, walks, moves body, thinks his/her own thoughts instead of what is being fed through the media, decides to go for a walk and breath and stretch. Anxiety lessens immediately. Plan: write something, anything, get the creative wheels flowing, and then take a walk.

I have made my choice this morning. Closing this laptop as soon as I press “Publish.”

Love and blessings to you all, Lisa

Yearning Soul

The yearning is strong in that one, they said

She always is wishing and striving for what? they shook their head

She thinks too much, she’s too strung up

She just needs to be happy and content and shut up

But she is happy in her way, and she loves to think

She feels like the wind, just whipping along

To whatever new beauty the world has in store

She ponders, then lights, then moves on

The only way to create is feel the push and discontent growing within

Then let it out and enjoy the rush

Of the newness, the freshness, the hope and joy

The yearning soul who longs to see

A bit of heaven on earth, a bit of God that we

All have in our souls to create and to yearn

For something better, something Him, something beautiful.

c2023 Lisa Lyons

The Creativity Spark

I was talking with a good friend last evening about creativity. What triggers it, what stops it, how to get it going again when you hit a dry spot. So as we enter into the year of our Lord 2023, I thought some inspiring quotes about creativity might be what we all need to kick start what might be languishing in our spirits as we might have overindulged in the indolence that sometimes accompanies the season.

“Every artist was first an amateur.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Look at life with the eyes of a child.” “Creativity takes courage.” -Henri Matisse

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”- Albert Einstein

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:1, 27

β€œCreativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.” – Twyla Tharp

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” -Walt Disney

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

Blessings as we roll into this new year. Love, Lisa

Image – Young Man Writing, Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier