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By Julie Jordan Scott
Ever have one of those days where your brain seems clogged with some sort of unnamed gunk and grime? Can't think to save your life, much less think creatively? I depend on my ability to think on my feet to make a living. So continually keeping my brain matter free of "gunk" is not only a goal, it is a necessity.
After a couple days like this recently, I was bound and determined to not let my mind stay perpectually plugged so I grabbed Emma and went for a brisk walk. Pushing her stroller, it was as if someone had taken a huge container of brain drain-o and poured it over my head.
I completely absorbed the sunlight, the wind, breathed in the early Springtime air. It was nearly miraculous how it worked! I was not consciously thinking, but in my quiet, restful state the ideas began flowing. Bursting forth, in a peaceful yet abundant melody. I literally danced home filling my idea journal with ideas. Solutions came forward, theories were born.
Michael J. Gelb, author of How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day as well as others, is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning and innovative leadership. He made the following statement about your "Unthinking Mind": "Brain researchers estimate that your unconscious database outweighs the conscious on an order exceeding ten million to one. This database is the source of your hidden, natural genius. In other words, a part of you is much smarter than you are. The wise people regularly consult that smarter part."
What kind of brain drain-o do you utilize on a regular basis? Or on the otherhand, do you let your thinking, task oriented less weighty data base steer your boat until you hit dry dock. And sit and sit and sit until finally the inspiration hits again.
Take it from one who has experienced hitting the sand bar: use drain-o before you get there!
Perhaps you are not sure what your brain drain-o is? Take a few moments and ponder these questions:
1. When do my creative juices normally flow the most freely? Is it after a deep, meaningful conversation with friends? Or upon awakening? Or maybe after a strenuous run?
2. When have I been surprised by my own "flow" of ideas or creative thoughts? What was I doing at that exact moment? Try to be as precise as possible, since this may be your magic key.
3. How much quiet, reflective time do you allow yourself daily? No, I do not mean while you are doing other tasks, I mean time to be quiet and reflect and listen to the quiet murmurings of your soul. You know the ones. How often do you do that?
Now look at your responses. Do you find a thread of commonality? Chances are, these are the seedlings of your brain drain-o.
Like anything else, though, you need to take the first (second and third ad infinitum) step to keeping your brain in its top form. Make a commitment, today, to maintain a clean pipeline to creativity.
Live Passionately, Today!
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(c) 2000 Julie Jordan Scott
Change Your Life, Change Your World. Subscribe to Discovering Your Passion a Daily Ezine especially for the Unique person taking action to live passionately, everyday. Via email: DiscoverYourPassion-subscribe@egroups.com or website: http://www.5passions.com/subpage.html
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