[-inspiration-]

Inspiration means to inhale, to breathe in. It was chosen as the theme of the first Practically Creative Quarterly because this project is the result of inspiration brought on by my recent exploration of webdesign.

Learning something new always energizes and leaves me with a delightful side effect: an urge to revisit and expand upon interests that have been dormant or languishing due to lack of inspiration. My abiding interests in art, writing and the creative process are refreshed by this new-to-me medium.

None of us would last long if we only breathed out. Remember that when your enthusiasm fades. Everything here is meant to help you discover or be reminded of how you get inspired. Reading and viewing what’s in this issue will renew, refresh and get you ready.

Breathe it in — and out.

Inspiration fills us. Exhalation is putting what we’ve created out into the world.

Art work: an artist trading card/painted photograph by Nancy Waldman
© 05-07

Originally published in the April 2005 issue of The Practically Creative Quarterly, theme: inspiration

[-r-mind, perception, exercise-]

by Nancy S. M. Waldman

If, when you try to create, you find yourself full of doubts about your abilities, you are by definition, NOT in a state of R-mindfulness. The R-mindful brain is not worried about wasting time. It’s not worried about lack of talent. It’s not worried about product. In fact, it’s not worried about anything.

An R-mind is focused on the activity of creating, not on the person doing the work. In order to successfully create, we must get to that space/place within ourselves where the work becomes the focus instead of doubts about ourselves.

Because our “everyday” mind (the “L-mode”) is so used to being in the forefront, making decisions, doing the daily mental chores, it won’t give up control easily. That is why we often must fight down the sudden urge to clean the kitchen floor when we sit down to finish a short story or begin a sewing project. To the everyday mind, it makes perfect sense that the kitchen floor needs our attention more than this impractical, optional creative project. But that creative activity is as much a part of us - more, it could be argued - as the practical activities of daily living. It’s just that the creative mind is a gentle, subtle, easily cowed part of us. We must learn how to let it take the stage.

Since our theme is Space … and spaces, this issue’s trick involves focusing on negative space. The magic lies in being able to trick your L-mode into giving up control. When the everyday mind is confused, confronted with a sensory puzzle it can’t readily solve, it will recede and you will be on your way to being R-mindful.
Read the instructions several times before trying it.

Before beginning your creative project, sit comfortably at your desk, sewing table or wherever the work will occur.

1. Close your eyes, take a big deep breath, and let it out slowly.
2. With your eyes still shut, breathe deeply, in and out, very slowly, exactly three times.
3. Open your eyes. SEE what is in front of you.
4. Notice the word: “see” instead of “look at.” they aren’t the same.
5. Expect to see something that you haven’t noted before or at least noticed in a while.
6. Focus on one thing or a part of a thing. if you find yourself unsure, zone in on the edge of something. See it.
7. While keeping your eyes on your focal point, shift your focus. let your awareness go to the immediate space around that thing.
8. Keep breathing. stay with that sight for a few moments. allow yourself to relax into this time apart.
9. Shut your eyes. breathe in and out exactly three times.
10. Open your eyes and begin to work.

Try this each time before you begin and see if it helps. You may want to read the information on R-mode in the metAphorism feature of our first issue, here.
When you see this symbol in The PCQ be aware that this is information that may help you understand and access this part of yourself.

Originally published in the July 2005 issue of The Practically Creative Quarterly, theme: Space and Spaces