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By Arleen M. Kaptur
Ideas are around us wherever we live, work, or spend our leisure time. The only rule is that you have to look, to notice, and to take advantage of what is available.
Simple things in life can trigger a "creative" moment. When you get up in the morning, the very essence of the day, right outside your window, can spark an idea or a descriptive note to add to your work. Making breakfast or the smell of fresh brewed coffee can burst into new ways of sharing this culinary sensation with the people who will see your artwork or read your novel.
Whether you write, paint, or do needlework, nature is a fantastic teacher. While you take a drive, walk, or sit on a beach, let your mind open to the endless possibilities that exist in nature. Not only look, but listen, smell, and yes, even taste. Try those fresh blueberries, pin cherries, or ruby red raspberries. Of course, always be careful of anything that you are not sure of.
When you are waiting in line, sitting at a traffic light, or any of the myriad other forms of time spent in anticipation of something else, take advantage of this brief lapse in busyness to notice what the person next to you looks like, what about the mood music played over an intercom, or even the smell from the corner hamburger stand. All these you can file away in your memory and call upon them when the need arises. They can add a touch of realism, a new angle to your work, or even a new insight into a common thread of thought.
Wherever you go take along a pocket notebook and jot down things. In a hurry, try a one word association so when you do have the time you can recall the moment and add to its description. Keep a notebook on your bed stand as beautiful thoughts can come to you when you are relaxed.
A diary or journal is of more benefit than just keeping a record of your daily activities or important events. Write down what you experienced that day, what new sensations evolved from mundane tasks, what did you notice today that you took for granted yesterday.
Creativity is all around us. We just have to take the time to notice it. Slow down just a bit from your busy day and breathe in the air of new ideas, concepts, and views. The old safety standard is so very true in our everyday lives: Stop, Look, and Listen. It may just save your next creative venture with ideas you never thought you could come up with or descriptions that add to the beauty of your work.
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©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002
website: http://www.rusticliving.info
Topica newsletter: Simple Living
Reviews on Amazing Authors
e-mail address: akaptur@centurytel.net
Several articles in magazines and newspapers on nature, cooking, and homelife.
Two books in various stages of publication
(1) Inspirational
(2) Suspense
Welcome to the place where you can finally get to work on your dream!
HowMuchJoy.com
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| Expect the Unexpected (Or You Won't Find It): A Creativity Tool Based on the Ancient Wisdom of Heraclitus |
 By Roger Von Oech. "The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus was famous for his brilliant and provocative sayings. Today, more than 2,500 years after they were written, his ideas about life, nature, and the cosmos remain as startlingly original as ever. In Expect the Unexpected (Or You Won't Find It), Roger von Oech uses thirty of Heraclitus' epigrams as springboards to dazzling creativity. Treating each saying as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, he supplies amusing anecdotes, mind-bending riddles, hidden jokes, and intriguing questions designed to topple old habits of thought and fire the imagination. |
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| Your Heart's Desire : Instructions for Creating the Life You Really Want |
 By Sonia Choquette. "Nationally known intuitive and spiritual leader Sonia Choquette shares the nine universal principles for creating the reality of your dreams. Step by step, with practical advice, specific exercises, and modern-day parables, she teaches readers to make the changes in thought and behavior that will lead them to the attainment of their most heartfelt desires." |
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| Affirmations for Artists |
 by Eric Maisel. "Creativity requires introspection, self-examination, and a willingness to take risks. Because of this, artists are perhaps more susceptible to self-doubt and despair than those who do not court the creative muses. This book of affirmations is compiled with the special needs of artistic persons in mind. Arranged in alphabetical order by topic (Disbelief, Imitation, Talent), each page includes a handful of relevant quotations by writers, musicians, actors, or other creative people, a commentary by the author, and, of course, an affirmation." |