creativity Archives - Writing From The Kitchen

Use Your Right to Create

May 29, 2019by Erika K RothwellLeave a Comment

“Do not let your left brain outthink your right to create!”

Excited by my new brush pens I attempted to “paint” a flower subject for the first time. At first it appeared my left brain, leaning on its own experience, overthought the process by starting with an outline before filling in with color.

Quickly, frustrated with my lack of ability, the desire to complete the task took over. An elementary-level rendition of the flower was born. It was certainly not the detailed and logical result you might expect from a left-brain activity, So normally I would have given up at this point. As it clearly appeared, I had little ability in this arena.

My right brain appeared to be enticed by a second look. So I made another attempt moments later. I found myself immersed in a feeling of timelessness, seamlessly connected to creative inspiration. And I was now able to move effortlessly, almost thoughtlessly, in the direction of creation. Finally, the second endeavor resulted in a piece resembling artwork. It was certainly not perfect either, yet clearly designed from a presentness in my heart.

Do you see the difference?

Awakening Your Right

From further research, I read that through the right brain we are able to be present and therefore become imbedded in the process rather than being overly concerned with the destination. The right side of the brain is responsible for empathy, intuition, imagination, and creativity. It is no wonder that dreams are born from our right brain.

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Albert Einstein

Words are the same. We cannot overthink as we write and expect to create a connection, a meaningful rendition of thoughts from our heart.

This exercise was undertaken simply as a step to awakening. My life’s purpose is still somewhat unclear, yet I am drawn to create from the heart ignoring self-interruptive negative messaging and help others find a connection to their own creative centers.

If you are one who struggles with organizing your thought process, you may appreciate that logic does not always hold the answer. Our creative journey cannot be dictated by thought. Rather, our authentic work must be guided by the heart.

AND, I have just personally discovered a whole lot more heart and art in the right brain.

Happy Creating!

©Erika K Rothwell

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encouragement, hope

Let Hope Guide Your Steps

May 15, 2019May 16, 2019by Erika K RothwellLeave a Comment

Words are born in my life regularly and molded genuinely, lit up from a spirit of desiring deep connection. Projects take on a life of their own, coaxing me to follow their lead as I continue putting one foot in front of the other. With this hope, I believe my baby steps will eventually cover a mile and climb a mountain.

Without any promise of success at the peak, peace surrounds my every move as I relax into the rhythm of daily work accepting that the vision at the summit may only be seen by me and a few companions who travel along with me.

The end-point is not always the goal. And in the case of creative development, it is even more clear that the journey only refines the goal. Yet hope reaches out for all of us with it’s supportive caress, even if we have not yet arrived.

Joys of life are often discovered in today’s moments without eyes on tomorrow or our hearts being lost in the struggles of yesterday. Take notice of what gives you hope as it surrounds you. Let it guide your steps forward. And when you think you’ve arrived, contentedly accept there is always a next leg in the journey.

©Erika K Rothwell

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Creativity, Growth, hope

Hope Blinks – Refresh Your View

April 25, 2019April 26, 2019by Erika K RothwellLeave a Comment

Have you ever played the game of staring at another person until one of you blinks? I have. And I must admit my strong-willed nature often insists that I be the winner.

But imagine viewing our goals in the same way, resolutely fixated on what we see in front of us. We stare at them for so long that our vision becomes blurred as we find it increasingly more difficult to focus. Eventually, we are forced to blink.

Initially, as we set out to accomplish tasks, our laser-like focus appears to work well. Our goals, however, may consume us causing us to lose balance and clarity. Over time in overdrive, our paths become obscured and we really need to blink.

New Beginnings

Letting go of our control and our self-directed will allows for a reset and a more vibrant picture once we reopen our eyes. New beginnings are the foundation of hope and an opportunity for pivotal modification in our lives. Restoration recharges our souls and we are often compensated with regained momentum, possibly even recovering lost time.

In the space of stepping away, I am provided with a brief interval to use my other senses, intensifying my vision when I refocus. Try this exercise. Stop your fierce concentration for a moment. Close your eyes for one whole minute. Set a timer if you must. Reopen your eyes. What do you see?

Get Outside

Make the time to go outside. Let your mind wander, listen to the sounds you hear, or simply feel your heartbeat. Let go of your self-driven need for control. Your goals will be waiting for you upon return.

Apologetically, I share the cliche to “stop and smell the flowers”, for if I had not done so today on my run, I would not have been greeted by the Swallowtail Butterfly. Quietly and softly, he reminded me of the rigorous growth process their kind must go through in order to bare their beautiful wings and fly, flittering between nectar sources. Our creative journey, similarly, is an individual metamorphosis.

Recharge Your Creativity

Creativity is a slowly evolving growth process that cannot be forced through time. When we push past our emotional and physiological needs or try to succeed without first putting in the time or work and balancing it with necessary rest, we run the risk of losing sight of what’s important causing our goals to suffer too.

Staying in sync with and acquiescing to the laws of the universe will not only recharge you but align you harmoniously with vitality to complete your destiny.

In fact, at times, an answer you may have been seeking stares you right back in the face and you have to blink to understand it. This is precisely what happened to me this week. After a recuperative moment, upon reopening my eyes, lucidity arrived bringing not only an answer but complementary joy in the discovery. I share it with you now.

Being a writer doesn’t restrict my creative and artistic expression to words. Upon the exploration of a multi-faceted creative life, my spirit has been enlivened “giving wings” to my writing goals.

Many of you have already made this discovery as you share your amazing artistic abilities beyond writing. I would be very interested in comments, from any and all, about what other creative avenues you pursue and how it helps you.

Have a beautiful day!

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Creativity, inspiration

Hopelessly Creative

March 27, 2019July 18, 2019by Erika K Rothwell2 Comments

It exists in all of us, whether initially a flicker or a flame, creativity eventually asks for engagement. Art is born not only in painful moments of life’s unexpected and uncontrollable events, but also in the peaceful serene entrance of morning when an invitation is presented to begin a new day with the most playful of heart.

My wish to capture the sunrise this morning as a photograph was not granted as I was traveling on the highway. I could only gape at its beauty and imbed the picture in my memory. Difficult as it was to keep my attention on the road, mesmerized by the half crescent shape of the bright orange globe peeking out from the horizon, I turned my thoughts to the inspiration from nature once again.

Further down the road where the sun’s rays had not yet touched, a heavy ethereal mist was floating above the red river and evoked my fantastical imagination of a world where mystical delights swirl around each and every one of us playfully invoking a powerful urge and desire to create art from the inspiration of tiny water droplets suspended in air.

For me, the mist represents a lightness of heart that floats above the harsh realities of a mundane existence or the senseless casualties of loved ones. As with atmospheric changes, the heaviness of life can be transformed into featherlight peace. Once again my sense of purpose has been reestablished and confirmed.

As I was elevated from a mechanical state of tending to daily cares to one of sublime happiness, a magical gift was received again from above. A place created by a societal and collective imagination, but also quite possibly a place revealed to us in tiny glimpses of unimagined beauty upon daybreak in nature’s masterpieces.

Appreciation of these slivers of magnificence can fan and fuel the burning desire to bring forth our own creative beauty deepening our relationship with the creator of all.

Read by Erika K Rothwell

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