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

The Freedom to Write When You Have Nothing to Say

See the source image

First of all….this is not a political post.

Secondly….nothing is something.

It has been many, many weeks since I have written in this poor neglected blog. I could give you an absurdly long list of reasons why, but I will spare you the excuses. Mostly, it was because of one big reason.

I felt I had nothing to say.

Nothing new, nothing of interest, nothing that would not offend someone, nothing that would fix the problems, nothing that encouraged.

But God opened up the thought to me this morning that nothing is still something. We all have something to say that is worthwhile, meaningful, helpful….even if it has been said a thousand times before. Because we are all individuals, going through this life in our own way. The lens of how we see life makes what we see, and say, and write, different yet helpfully the same.

My encouragement to any of you reading this? Your nothing is not nothing. It is something. Something very precious to God. Keep speaking, keep writing, keep hoping.

Love, Lisa

Uphill

At the top of Bray Hill, Valentia Island, 2011. Photo-Ed Lyons

“When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.” -Unknown

“When you don’t feel like doing anything, just do something.” – Lisa Lyons, on a sleepy Monday morning 😉

Yes, it’s Monday. And regardless of how I feel, how tired I am, etc……this is the only chance I have to live this day. So I am writing, and looking out my kitchen window. The sun is very bright. Good thing. Yesterday’s snow is melting, yet glistening. Good thing. I have a warm house and had food for my breakfast, and lots of good Irish tea. Good thing.

Thanks be to God, who puts up with my tired, unmotivated self, and lets me begin to see something good and true in the day. Very good thing.

However you are feeling this morning, be kind to yourself. And I am praying that your day goes as smoothly as it can, that you have good tea at your disposal, and a fair view to look upon. Also, that tonight’s sleep will be better than the last. 🙂 Love, Lisa

Good Morning

happysheep
“Do you wish me a good morning,
or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not;
or that you feel good this morning;
or that it is a morning to be good on?”
~Gandalf, The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
You and I can ponder on this for a while, or maybe not, or maybe just for a brief moment.  Whatever path your feet are upon today, may God smooth your way.  Slainte, Lisa

New Born Day

“The innocent brightness of a new born day is lovely yet.”

-William Wordsworth

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  – Lamentations 3 :23

Your day, brand new, given to you, all wrapped up by God.  Enjoy seeing what’s inside.  Slainte, Lisa