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

“Creativity 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

“So, What Do You Do?”

Scenario 1: You are meeting people in a social situation of any kind. Someone new comes up to you and says, “So….what do you do?”

You hem and haw, and feel that strange, slightly apologetic and defensive response come forth. “I am a writer. (or singer, or composer, or artist, or fill in the blank)” You use a subdued voice, looking towards the floor slightly.

“Wow. Can you make a living with that?” Only the truly bold acquaintance will muster that, but you feel it just the same, no matter the words or expressions chosen.

“Well, I am working on a novel, or art piece, or album….” Your voice trails off and you anxiously look for the exit to this conversation. You skillfully turn it to another topic and breathe a sigh of relief.

Scenario 2: Same setting. “So….what do you do?”

You stand up straight and smile. “I am an artist. (or writer, or singer, or composer)”, said in your normal happy speaking voice. Direct eye contact.

“Wow. That’s cool. I wish I had the guts to try something like that. Can you make a living?”

You smile again, letting them know within that smile that, no, not quite yet, but yes, it doesn’t really matter at this point.

They realize you aren’t going to answer that question, as it is immaterial. “Tell me about it. Sounds awesome.”

Just a bit of encouragement to all you artists, musicians, writers, etc. out there. No apologies. You are created in the image of God, who happens to be extremely artistic and creative Himself.

Blessings, Lisa

Imagination on a Tuesday

Clonmacnoise Round Tower, Photograph Ed Lyons

To get my mind going in the morning, sometimes I like to play the what if game. So today, please play along with me.

Hard choices. I will wait to reveal my answer in the comments later. Feel free to answer below in more detail as to why you chose the way you did. Happy imagining!

Blessings, Lisa

P.S. If you are reading this post on WordPress Reader, you need to hit the “Visit” button in order to view the poll. 🙂

Time Machine

If you had access to a reliable time machine, to what time in history would you transport yourself? Vote in the poll below but wait a few moments for it to load. It is taking WordPress a bit of time to load the polls for some reason. Feel free to explain your choice in the comments also. Could make for some interesting discussion. 🙂 Love, Lisa

The Wonder and Bewilderment of a Sneeze

All is quiet. You are sitting there, minding your own business. Suddenly, with very little or no warning, you feel it. It rises up inside you like with a tidal wave of force, no holding it back. Your eyes close unbiddenly. You are sneezing, and there is no way around it.

Why am I writing about sneezes, you ask, and rightly so? The two giant sneezes I had at 11:30 PM last night, after I had been sleeping for an hour. They came on for no apparent reason and sat me straight up in bed. The two giant sneezes my husband had this morning as he made his breakfast, also no apparent reason. This got us talking about sneezes, their power, their slight terror, the weirdness and yet great efficiency they have.

As He designed us, God must have been thinking of how to get rid of foreign objects that happened to come our way. And He came up with a sneeze. Brilliant. I love it. There are so many bizarre and wonderful things God has created. Long giraffe necks, chameleons that change color, prickly squash to keep pests away.

If you are brave, take the survey below. There are all kinds of sneezers out there…..my husband and I are definitely the loud and scary kind.

Enjoy your Tuesday,

Lisa