by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 31 }
This post officially ends the Write 31 Days Challenge but because of it, some things are just beginning, thanks to a few lessons I learned along the way:
- The more we exercise our calling/ministries, the more creative we become. Prior to the challenge, I often struggled for blog ideas but a funny thing happened as I made my way to the laptop each day. Ideas evolved from unexpected places. It was exciting!
Have you also found this to be true with
your own calling or ministry?
- God provides a multitude of practical ways His children can stay in step with Him. Becoming intentional made all the difference. I asked God to open my spiritual eyes and He led the way. He always does.
Was there one particular step during the challenge that resonated most with you?
(See past posts below)
- We ARE up for the challenge. Writing for thirty-one days under the umbrella of one subject was daunting, to say the least, but I needed a challenge. I’d become sluggish, taking the joy discovered via writing for granted. The non-adventurist within warned that I may not be able to follow-through with the challenge—but I did it anyway. As a result, I plan to start ignoring that non-adventurist voice more often.
Is there a challenge you’ve been postponing?
I thought I’d feel relieved to have the challenge behind me and yet it feels like I’m bidding a friend farewell.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
{ Day 28 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Well Placed Pooch
{ Day 29 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Pure Motivations
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
The Right to Write by Julia Cameron has been my constant companion over the past few months. It’s a perfect fit for my purse while waiting for friends or appointments. Practically every page is dog-eared, underlined, or asterisked. Several weeks ago, I shared this post on Morning Pages as a result.
Today, I’m sharing a tool called Evening Notes. After all, not every one is a morning person, right?
It goes something like this: Ten minutes before you fall asleep, jot down a few simple sentences about your day. Julia uses this as her example:
“Today was productive but uphill. I seemed to be fighting a depression but I took good actions anyhow. I’m really stewing over my friendship with Michael. I wonder what better can be done on the project at work…”
From these sentences, extract a single question to consider before falling asleep. Julia chose What can I do about the project at work?
Simply pose the question and don’t worry about the answer. Thanks to our brilliantly and divinely designed minds (thank You, God) many of our answers begin to emerge at some point.
I’ve experienced similar circumstances when doing something “mindless” like walking, taking a shower, or taking my dog out for a potty break. Ideas and answers to questions long forgotten find their way to the surface when least expected. No doubt, a different part of the brain is at work here and it’s awe-inspiring when it happens.
Julia Cameron encourages those who try this tool to be alert, to notice and tabulate small, positive changes or answers.
Practicing both Morning Pages and Evening Notes is optimal but on those mornings when even a third cup of liquid caffeine refuses to rally a creative bone, it’s nice to know we have an evening option.
How about you? Are you a morning person? Do you tend to write more in the mornings or evenings?
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands (Psalm 19:1).
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Mountain air snaps all creative senses
to attention.
What place or space serves as your catalyst for creativity?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
When’s the last time you changed things up a bit?
You may remember from this post that my writing desk faced our busy city street. I enjoyed seeing vehicles whiz by and children playing on the swings in the park.
In fact, I enjoyed the outdoor activities so much that I often found myself gazing out the window instead of tapping on the keys. It was time for a change!
My awesome hubby gave up his bookshelf, bought me a comfy chair, and helped me turn the desk towards the wall. Immediately, my concentration level spiked. Now,when a visual break is needed, I simply swivel around, prop my feet up on the window ledge, and take it all in.
Even the smallest of changes can spark creativity. Driving a different route, moving furniture, cooking something out of the norm, etc.
Go ahead, give it a try and watch the sparks fly! (No, I do not consider this a poem. ha!)
‘You don’t get creative by staying in the same place.’ – Andy Law
by Cathy Baker | Ideas |
In addition to being part of my local Word Weavers group, I’m extremely blessed to be one of the “4 Corners” in a small writer’s accountability/critique group.
Carolyn, one of the three amazing “corners”, challenged us to create our own storyboards (or purpose boards) as a visible tool for inspiration.
My storyboard actually begins at the bottom, to illustrate foundational truths for my writing. First, an image of the woman at Jesus’ feet, to always remind me where my journey began. It’s also foundational for me to keep my “spiritual tank” full. How can I share it from an empty one?
The picture of the waiting room reminds me that there is a purpose in the waiting. And, I must be patient and willing to wait for God’s timing.
Mid-way up the poster, I have pictures of pure inspiration that include places we’ve visited (Lake Lure, Carl Sandburg’s home, Thomas Wolfe’s home, etc), pictures of flowers from our garden, my grandmother’s house, and a picture of a sower sowing seed smack dab in the center of the poster to remind me that everything is written to be done so with the mindset of sowing God’s seed and bringing Him alone glory.
At the top, you’ll find pictures of what I pray the result of my writing to be, beginning with an act of worship. Also, that my writing will have a divine ripple effect much like a pebble being tossed into the water. One quote completes the board: “Write so that heaven is different.” – Lee Roddy. Thankfully, the results are all in God’s hands and out of mine.
I feel incredibly blessed to share my little corner of the world with such amazing women like Carolyn, Cynthia, and Beth. Thank you, friends!
So, how could you use a storyboard to get those creative juices flowing?
