Apr

15

When You’re Ready

April 15, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Years ago, I went to a therapist who used hypnosis. When our sessions were almost over, she would tell me, in her soft voice, to come awake, refreshed and energized, “when you’re ready.” When you’re ready. A simple phrase, but in that altered state of mind, it was powerful. I could, when I was ready, [...]

Mar

20

That Magical Moment

March 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-essay, inspiration-] by Nancy S.M. Waldman My favorite part of being inspired isn’t the sudden flush of excitement about a new project, a distinctly different direction, or a fresh idea. What I love most comes along after that initial inspiration. It’s later, when all the pieces begin to fall into place and fit together in [...]

Feb

13

That Brilliant Flash of . . . Consistency?

February 13, 2007 | 1 Comment

[-practically mperfect-] by Nancy S.M. Waldman You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star. Friedrich Nietzsche said that and I – with quite a bit of creative chaos in my life – completely understand what he means. Chaos – if we tone it down to a buzz of unrestrained energetic [...]

Feb

12

Inspiration and Exhalation

February 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-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 [...]

Feb

12

Growing Inspiration

February 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-inspiration, practices-] While we all love the feeling of being suddenly and unexpectedly filled with inspiration, people working in creative fields, can’t wait around for those moments. There’s too much work to be done. Luckily, there are ways of cultivating inspiration. To grow inspiration you need to: Clear a plot – make a special space [...]

Feb

11

The Stray Puppy

February 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment

-essay, inspiration- by guest essayist, Quinn D. Corte Inspiration follows all of us around like a stray puppy, barking excitedly at the quirkiest times, begging us to come and play. Whether we notice her depends on our willingness to embrace creativity. That gentle scratching of a familiar paw on my jeans has made me who [...]

Feb

10

Hocus – Focus

February 10, 2007 | 3 Comments

[-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 [...]