I have an idea! What if we reframe sunsets as mini-creative workshops? You may be wondering "How in the world would we do that?" and even "Why in the world would we do that?"
Well, sunsets are beautiful to behold, occur daily and they're free. More importantly, taking a few moments to enjoy a sunset happens to be an awesome example of exposure, an extremely important, but often overlooked step in the creative process – not to mention a wonderful way to increase your personal creative bliss.
Exposing ourselves to the wonders of nature as well as other people's art, music, writing, recipes, ideas…in fact, all manner of creativity...shifts our focus from our own pursuits (and how much progress we're making…or not making…with them) and helps rev up our creative energy!
It's so easy to get caught up in measuring the progress of our creative projects that we often neglect our desire to soak up our sponge with creative goodness in other ways. (Plus, it can be so damn fun that we may feel guilty even considering it.) Allow me to help alleviate that guilt for you.
Consider this…doesn't it make sense that Van Gogh spent a good amount of time simply gazing at the golden beauty of sunflowers before he was able to paint some of his most well-known masterpieces? That Julia Child sampled copious amounts of buttery sauces before perfecting and sharing her own? That Aretha swayed to the gospel of many a church choir before gracing us with R-E-S-P-E-C-T?
When we stop to appreciate the beauty around us we nourish our creative spirit.
How might you treat yourself to some inspiring exposure this week?
What if you...
Listen to the birds outside your window…
Savor your morning cup of coffee or
evening glass of wine…
Take flight in a pretend rocket ship to the moon with your niece…
Watch a documentary art film…
Listen to some world-beat music...
Stop to smell the
honeysuckle blooming in your backyard…
Listen to the rain on the
roof in the middle of the night…
Try out that new Cuban restaurant around the corner...
Can you come up with three ideas to practice exposure that sound good to you?
I'd love to hear them in the comments section below!
Until next time, all the best from my sunset Creative Oasis to yours,
Jill
P.S. – If you'd like to have Mid-Week Oasis Moments (bite-sized bonbons of creative inspiration) delivered each week please sign up here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html
You'll also receive a free copy of "Permission to Be Creative 101" – my e-booklet that will help you take the first small steps to make the time and space for creative fulfillment – your Creative Oasis – in your busy life!
