Open Up

creativity n. the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work

creative adj. inventive; imaginative

Idea. Inspiration. The Muse. The Zone. Ideas. Imagination. Flow.

All places, spaces, and approaches to what we would hope will be the opening of a creative life.

Whether we're on the dance floor, painting an image, writing a story, or sculpting, our goal is to create something of value, something that will reflect our emotion, our point of view, our creative core.

But do we? Are we able?

Sometimes it's easier to have a specific agenda, a pre-planned reason or a structure we choose to follow which raises our expectation for the resulting product and perhaps it's sale-ability. We may find ourselves trying to imitate another who has inspired us, only we find we fall short of what we thought we could do.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with having a plan, an idea, a structure, or even another person as our muse if we are inspired by them at the outset of our creative time. Without it, we may feel too open-ended with a lack of focus.

But if we use these structures as our center for ourselves and our creativity, we may find we develop a  block of sorts.

We may eventually feel closed to our authentic creativity. We can't seem to express ourselves quite the way we want to.

The colors are all wrong. The words come out flat. The music has no pizzazz. There's no dimension, no light.

It's all in our heads, noisy, confused, leaving us disappointed and discouraged.

That's when we can go inward. We can give ourselves space, time and nurture to re-energize, refresh, and open up to play.

Pull out all the stops, pull down the walls and the structures that have held you back and just have Fun.

Do something just because you want to with no concern for the outcome.

Listen to your heart. Let yourself dream. Feel your energy lighten. Let Inspiration Flow.

Relax. Enjoy.

Now, from that open place, refresh your vision, your purpose, starting from the source of your authenticity, your true voice of expression. Be Truly You.

Remember what it feels like to have that o-p-e-n creativity so you can stay or return to that place in the event that you've lost it.

You will find a gentle natural flow for whatever your creative endeavor entails. And you will also remember well where your creativity was stymied and take time to nurture yourself regularly to keep that natural flow going.

Trust the process; stay open. Be authentic. Your creativity will speak for itself.
And the message will be meaningful music of the heart.

© 2012 by Dawn Herring