A Turtle Day for Creativity and Writing

How’s your creativity and writing practice?

Could you use a bit of inspiration?

I’ve been kinda quiet on my blogs, I know. I’ve been a bit more protective of my creative time while working on a personal writing project.

Gotta take my own advice! I hope this post inspires you to do the same.

[bctt tweet=”Slowing Down in Nature Creates Space for Creativity” username=”LisaTener”]

Do you ever have trouble accessing your creative source—your muse, as I call it—when you’ve been running around “accomplishing” all day (or, perhaps worse, sitting at a computer all day typing)?

A few days ago, running late for qigong class at the YMCA, I decided to take my qigong practice to the Saugatucket River in Wakefield, rather than arrive late. As I crossed the bridge to Sari’s Sanctuary, a large gazebo that overhangs the river, I kept my eye out for my turtle brethren.

It took a while but I spotted one swimming under the water among the lily pads, a bit of natural debris and a Wise potato chip bag. Two almost flourescent yellow dots mimicked eyes in the back of its head. Another turtle displayed the boxy design and yellow dots of a painted turtle, I believe.

I watched them awhile, then turned my attention to the red and yellow underbelly of the painted turtles sunning on a branch that sticks out of the water—a favorite of the turtles on the Saugatucket. One seemed different from the rest—no designs on his back and a steeper carapace. Something about him suggested a snapping turtle—perhaps, his snap!

From the gazebo, I looked for more signs of turtles swimming under the water, searching for telltale ripples.

As I watched the turtles swim, I found myself becoming less engrossed in thoughts and ideas and more just being present and watching, sensing the turtle energy. I felt watery, swimly, as if my mind submerged below the surface of my life, sunk deeper, exploring.

[bctt tweet=”Water Stimulates Creativity—and Writing!” username=”LisaTener”]

In the Indian systems of yoga and Ayurveda, as well as Chinese traditional medicine, water is considered the element of creativity. I can see why, as we allow ourselves to sink into the water we connect with our creative wellspring. Do you ever experience that feeling around water?

I wrote poems—a luxury I hadn’t enjoyed in many months—and the words flowed pleasurefully. I wrote about a shifting cloud of blackbirds, some territorial dragonflies, and, of course, my turtle friends.

Slowing down, standing still, writing poetry must have cleared some internal communication hub! I found myself taking dictation as more poems and then business ideas surfaced, ideas which I dutifully recorded.

And then I practiced qigong.

The day went completely differently from my plan. I loved the spontaneity, the creativity, the feeling of flow. I felt nourished in a way that I don’t when I spend the entire day at my computer.

As I then asked questions about the book I’m co-authoring, the answers came easily. I’d already done the work by not working, just being, on the river.

At a time when I’m counting on my creativity for a writing project, this kind of slow-down-see-where-I-am-led time is so vital.

I see in my writing how much it supports the process.

Being Your Book (stimulate your creativity and writing)

A few days later, I used my signature “Meet Your Muse” guided visualization to help me conceptualize the new writing project and develop some creative and fun features for a topic that can sometimes overwhelm people.

My muse’s directive? “Be the Book.”

“I am the book. It’s fun to be the book. It’s a good book.” I enjoyed the playfulness of the idea. It made it feel easy, too.

Once I tapped into the essence of the book, it felt easy to go there any time and mine the wisdom about the book already contained within me.

I know it may sound a little “airy fairy” but this kind of thing works. I do it with my clients all the time and then we see how it shifts the work from challenging or overwhelming to more intuitive, more of a flow.

Try It! Be Your Book!

How do you tap into your creativity and a sense of flow? Please share your comments below. And speaking of sharing, social shares are appreciated as well!

Have you been giving your creativity the space it deserves? Here are a few observations of mine. Do they resonate for you?