Words of Wisdom:
“The creative adult is the child who survived.” ~U. LeGuin
Thoughts for April:
Every time spring makes its way to Western New York and starts to take shape, I feel so awakened.
There’s something about daylight lasting longer, the grass revealing itself after being snow-covered, and even the smell of the air, that is so refreshing.
It makes me feel awakened and renewed with energy that I often have to work hard at finding in the winter months.
As I watch children playing outside, riding their bikes, and taking delight in the longer, milder days…I’m reminded that they too become awake in a different way, as spring takes flight.
I am also reminded of their creativity, as they leap, run, skip, and jump, without fear.
Creativity requires bravery. When we were younger it was just what we did as kids.
We were brave.
Creativity requires bravery.
Our imaginations were broad.
All our friends were trying to participate in our adventures, contribute to our ideas, or possibly propose one more exciting or dynamic.
Once we “grow up,” this attitude is partly what we put away, along with our “childish things.”
Schools teach us that there is a right and a wrong answer to everything, and that to succeed we’d better learn the right answer. This gets further refined as we get older and train for a job, plan for a family, and plan our retirement.
There is nothing wrong with having a plan. In fact, creativity without structure results in a lot of wasted time. But, too much structure strangles and snuffs out sparks of brilliance.
…creativity without structure results in a lot of wasted time. But, too much structure strangles and snuffs out sparks of brilliance.
As we get older, we acquire relationships, responsibilities, assets and the weight of other people’s responsibilities.
With everything around us and barely a shadow of the crowd we hung out with as kids, this leads us to further shy away from daring to be or do something different, or risk failure.
We start lacking margin.
Margin is the space between our load and our limits. It is the amount allowed beyond what is truly needed. Margin is the gap between rest and exhaustion, the space between breathing freely and suffocating.
Margin is the gap between rest and exhaustion.
Margin is the opposite of overload. If we are overloaded, we have no margin.
Most people are not quite sure when they pass from margin to overload.
We don’t want to be under-achievers (heaven forbid!), so we fill our schedules to the max. Options are as attractive as they are numerous, and we overbook.
Getting creativity back into your life is easier than we believe.
It is already there.
Like a dam, you have a powerful force walled up inside of you…
And as you chip away at it, a trickle will start.
The more consistent you are with setting an intention and sticking to it, the wider you open up the hole in your dam and the easier it will get.
Remember that this force within you wants to get out.
When determination, perspiration and imagination meet, you will have no choice but to unleash and engage your creativity and imagination. The reach of your life is largely dictated by the stretch of your imagination.
When determination, perspiration and imagination meet, you will have no choice but to unleash and engage your creativity…
So, as the days are longer and brighter, spring takes flight, and we start to feel awakened…how will you let your creativity and imagination shine?
How will you create more of a margin in your life?
How will this show up for you both on and off your mat?
Spring has sprung. Now, spring forward in an area of your life that has felt more like winter.
About the Image:
Marina Mukandala, is featured in this newsletter issue in Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose). The benefits of Wheel Pose are as follows:
- Strengthens and lengthens every vertebrae, therefore increasing elasticity and flexibility of the spine
As you hold yourself up in the pose, you are strengthening your arms, shoulders and chest, as well as stimulating the entire cardiovascular system - Opens the chest area, strengthening the lungs and allowing more oxygen to enter the rib cage
- Improves the respiratory system; great for those with asthma or any other breathing problems
- Enhances the nervous system and improves secretions of the hormones keeping you balanced and healthy
- As you stretch in wheel pose, you remove fat build up from your oblique area and reduce stiff hips, improving hip flexibility
Join the conversation and comment below.
How does love show up for you on your mat? What connected with you the most? Did I miss anything?
