33 Ways to Stay Creative

From "The World's Best Ever", http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2011/06/06/33-ways-to-stay-creative/

 

Alright, I'll be honest. Writing blog posts is a lot harder than I originally thought it would be. At first I had all these lofty ambitions of writing inspirational pieces that thousands upon thousands would read and be touched by. It seemed terribly exciting and I never dreamed there would come a day when I would face the infamous "writer's block". I sat in front of a blank page for years it seemed, scheming and scheming until I could scheme no more, but I couldn't think of one good thing to present to the world. I knew I needed to, but I began to dread writing posts. However, here I am, determined to write despite the complete lack of inspiration that I started out with.

I was so starving for inspiration, it seems, that I have resorted to writing a post on my relationship and viewpoints on it. I originally found this list when I was adventuring with Stumbleupon a while back. It really resonated with me, because I've found many of these techniques on my own without being completely conscious of the fact that I had. As I was reading the list I kept thinking to myself, "Hey, I do that!" For instance, I used to free write A LOT. Most evenings I would write to God about the day and things I had on my mind and things I felt he was saying to me. It was a way for my prayers to be more focused. I didn't realize that's why I found myself more inspired and creative. Now I'm thinking I should really get back into that!

I really value journalling, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to keep one. Not only does it keep you creative, but it also helps to keep you balanced, in my opinion. It's very therapeutic to be able to release emotions and stress in this way. If you can write about it, and get it all out, then you can spend less time thinking about it over and over again and spend more time working around it and living joyfully! Plus, it doesn't necessarily need to be an every day thing. When I first started journalling when I was really young, I thought to myself, "Okay, this is the week I write every single day, without fail. I don't care what happens I WILL write in my journal!" This system just didn't work for me. I know that for many other people, forcing themselves to write every day keeps them challenged and goal-oriented, and that's great! Go for it! But for some people this just adds unnecessary stress. Too much stress is the enemy of a creative mind. So go with the flow! Also, it you were to look through my journal, you would find more than just mundane posts. You would find lists (#1!), and drawings, and random ideas (#30!). Nothing is too crazy or abnormal to put in your journal. It's your place to relax and communicate whatever your little heart desires. And also, in case you haven't already noticed, this post is definitely breaking the font and text size rules! Yay for creativity! (Actually, I just don't know how to make it look like it usually does, but hey! We'll go with it!) Stay creative, my friends!

My Favoritest Author of All Time!

I love C. S. Lewis. Like a lot. He was such a wise man! He had such sound theology, and I really admire his writing. He had a way of drawing you in, captivating you with his poetic words, and when you finish, the full gradeur of his point hits you like a wave. Wow, that's major talent. Upon researching him, I learned some very cool facts about him:

1) He was buddies with J. R. R. Tolkien! How cool is that! They both worked at Oxford, and supposedly gave each other suggestions on their works. This makes sense, because they both incorperated Christian analogies into their novels.
2)C. S. Lewis married an American writer named Joy Davidman.
3)In 1917, he volunteered in the British Army, and experienced trench warfare. He was wounded, and while recovering he became quite depressed and homesick.
4)He made a pact with his friend that if either of them died in the war, the survivor woud take care of their families. When his friend died, he took on the care of the man's mother, who he formed such a close reationship with that he would often introduce her as his own mother. His mother had died when he was a child, and his father was distant and eccentric, so they became super close. He cared for her when she developed dementia, visiting her every day in the home until she died.

I was scrolling through a list of C. S. Lewis quotes today, and so many of them spoke to me. They were all so fantastic, that I couldn't possibly share just one with you, so here are some of my favorite quotes by C. S. Lewis.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” 

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” 

Agh, how awesome is this guy?!