“And by the way, everything in life is writeable about
if you have the outgoing guts to do it
and the imagination to improvise.The worst enemy to
creativity is self-doubt.” -Sylvia Plath
“Travel writing sounds awesome.” It wasn’t the answer I expected.
If you know me, you know that travel has been problematic ever since a car accident back in 1984. Back roads are doable, to a point. Highways, um, no.
Graphic courtesy of Sound Valley
So, when given the opportunity to pitch three ideas for a monthly column over at A-3 no one was more surprised than me to find that I’d scribbled the words travel writing on my page of possibilities. Surely it was a momentary lapse in judgment!
Instead of pitching three ideas, I decided to agree on the one subject the editor wanted and needed at the time—grammar. I had the email ready to go. Problem was, my finger refused to hit the send button. In doing so, I felt I’d be settling for the known, and not trusting God with the unknown.
Rather than hitting the send key, the one ripe with guaranteed success, the delete key was struck instead. I started a new email and this time, travel writing was included as one of the three pitches. I glanced heavenward with a smile, feeling almost like a kid that had been double-dog dared. With one tap, the email was sent and all I could do was wait.
I found myself delighting in God’s sense of humor. Travel writing, really? I had nothing to offer on the subject
except my own reluctance.
In the hours that passed between the pitch and the response, I was reminded of Buttercup. Remember her? She’s the 1963 Shasta Airflyte my hubby bought me for our 25th Anniversary coming up in October. I purchased a domain name for her the day we were introduced, confident that God was up to something with me and the subject of travel. (We look forward to our maiden voyage very soon.)
As I anxiously awaited the editor’s response, I continued praying that God would guide him to make the right decision for me. Because I prayed this believing He would, I rest in the fact that He did just that—despite the self-doubt and relentless accusations within. For example, How can you, oh reluctant traveler (except for the mountains) be a travel writer?
I don’t know what God is stirring up but I know I’m not afraid to research, work hard, and pray for a mile-long dose of creativity to throw in the mix. So there, Satan! Get behind me.
Join me over at A-3 this Friday, July 24th for my first posting! It is sure to be an exciting adventure.
Being an office supply nerd, I confess this Artist Date made me a tad giddy. Thank you, Julia Cameron.
Go to a stationery store. Give yourself time to stroll the aisles. What appeals to you? Do you want classic ivory stationery, or do you want something more zany? Your choice of note card sends a signal telling the world what kind of person you are, formal or casual, decorous or frivolous. Stationery makes a first impression. If you have it, you will use it. -Julia Cameron
Now let’s take it a step further. Purchase the stationery you feel best describes you (no window shopping allowed!) and then turn around and write someone. It could be someone who played a part in your being the zany-fied person that you are or someone who has been on your mind lately. I believe you already know the person who will receive your card.
Your turn. What does your stationery have on the front cover of the card?
“Creativity lies in paradox:
serious art is born from serious play.” – The Artist’s Way
If you’re a perfectionist like me, you’ll especially benefit from this Artist Date with your creative self. There’s no right way to do this so relax and have fun!
You’ll need:
Poster board (I purchased the 1/4″ thicker type)
Magazines (my favorite part)
Scissors
Two-sided tape or glue stick
And now for the fun part:
“Collage your creative dream. This exercise is a potent form of prayer. Working with a dozen or so magazines, tear out images that speak of your dream. Paste these images on a sheet of poster board. Add a photo of yourself. Place the photo centrally, surrounded by images of your creative dream. This is a visual prayer. It is very powerful, as it bypasses our rational mind and its resistance. Seeing is believing!” -Julia Cameron, The Miracle of the Artist’s Date.
This is a visual reminder of your dreams, goals, and priorities. A few years ago, Carolyn Knefley, of Christian Communicators, taught me how to create my own storyboard:
It’s your story, your dream. Create what you sense God is calling you to do, and perhaps most importantly, who He is calling you to be. In addition to images, I included scripture references as well as biblical reminders. If you look closely, you’ll see the image of a man scattering seeds in the center of my board. This image stands to remind me that my responsibility is to live in response to the Gospel of Christ, allowing it to penetrate everything I do and say, and write.
Where the seeds take root and flourish is of God’s choosing. It’s all Him, not me. It’s, for this reason, it remains center stage.
What do you see taking center stage on your storyboard?
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV
In need of a mid-week pick-me-up? Michael Card to the rescue! Few people sooth my soul like Michael Card. We’ve all heard of Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. Michael is the Soul Whisperer. God’s Spirit uses his words, both in word and song, to bring about indescribable stillness to our deepest parts, inviting the Holy Spirit to weave His way where He will. So, with that, enjoy today’s excerpt from Michael’s Scribbling in the Sand, along with a creativity exercise shared in the study guide.
Creativity is not about me. It is not about you. It is not us somehow acting like little gods, creating our own in the same way God creates. The most we can hope for is to respond appropriately and creatively to who God is and what he means. – Michael Card
Creativity is a response. – Michael Card
Courtesy of Pixabay
Try this: On a clear night, go out and gaze at the night sky while you repeat Psalm 8:1 silently or aloud. If you wish, commit the entire psalm to memory and speak it aloud as you look at the heavens. Let God’s works turn your thoughts to him and to your place in his creation. Go inside and write your thoughts, perhaps in the form of a psalm. If you cannot see the night sky very well where you live, gaze at the daytime sky—in any weather. Say the words of Psalm 8:1 and make notes of your feelings and thoughts as above. – Michael Card, with Dale and Sandy Larson, Scribbling in the Sand Study Guide.
Your Turn: When you gaze at the sky what leaves you in awe of God’s wonder the most?
Ready to strengthen your muscles? Your creative ones, I mean. Turns out, those who are more active are more likely to be creative than those who are sedentary.
So, grab your walking shoes, racquet, roller blades, or any other torture device equipment and let’s invite our Creative Self on a date, thanks to Julia Cameron, The Miracle of the Artist’s Date:
Image courtesy of Pixabay/Ryan McGuire
“Go Rollerblading. Strap on some skates and feel your spirit start to glide. This date pays dividends in fitness and in creativity. The regular stroke-stroke-stroke fires the imagination. Songwriters “catch” lyrics. Poets catch poems. Your muscles, too, will thank you for the workout.”
What’s one simple way you can feed your creativity this week by being more active? Feel free to share in the comment section!
And, CONGRATS to Beth Fortune, the winner of last Monday’s drawing via Random Name Picker!
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In the hours that passed between the pitch and the response, I was reminded of Buttercup. Remember her? She’s the 1963 Shasta Airflyte my hubby bought me for our 25th Anniversary coming up in October. I purchased a domain name for her the day we were introduced, confident that God was up to something with me and the subject of travel. (We look forward to our maiden voyage very soon.)
