09 Feb Letting your spirit fly – a scientific approach to nourishing it
My last email was about how important it is to accept change when it knocks on the door – and used our impending life on the road to make this point.
I had a beautiful response from a reader about how change is not just about external travel.
It can also happen while you stay put.
In essence it’s about the internal journey.
“Throw caution to the wind” as she eloquently put it “is not about giving everything up”.
It’s about accepting what comes your way – and maybe let a bit of chaos into your life for a while.
For example, a few months ago I spontaneously signed up to a mentoring program that teaches how to write.
Well, the writing bit is not meant literally. I know the abc – and spell check makes sure I follow the norm.
The program was about writing emails with stories, insights and tips on positive change – the ones you have been receiving for while.
It was about being in touch with creativity – and expressing it.
I am not sure about you, but I realise more and more that I need to let my spirit fly – to let it go to where it is good.
It is freeing when you allow yourself do this.
That’s why I signed up for the mentoring program.
However, the beginning of something new can be hard – often taking time out of an already full schedule.
So, the next step to produce something from your creativity is to build a structure around it.
One that leaves enough freedom for your creativity to flow, and keeps it honed so that it doesn’t disappear into nothingness.
This is what the mentoring program gave me as well: expressing creativity – and doing it regularly.
You too can let your spirit fly – and sustain it.
Establish a habit of what you love to do.
Here’s how:
In yoga they talk about the flow of energy in your body, and how you have to keep your energy circling in a way that nourishes you.
This is done with breathing techniques and counter-poses.
I can’t tell you more about this. I’m not a yoga teacher and I am abysmal in remembering what teachers tell me.
But I can transfer this principle into the world of creativity and habits.
Apply the concept of circling energy to our brain.
You see, we can bring form to the ideas that are created in the right side of the brain by using the left side.
It’s a continuous exchange: right side – left side, creativity – structure.
It’s sustainable. You can let your spirit fly without getting lost.
You are still nourished.
You harness your creativity by creating a structure around it.
How? By establishing a habit.
You have to find a process that works for YOU.
Blindly adopting another person’s process doesn’t work. Nothing new will be created.
In addition, it will always be an effort and you’ll loose motivation because it’s not yours.
So what to do?
Scientists experiment until they know what works. So can you.
Here’s how, it’s called experimenting and observing:
- Try out something new, a habit or a process – you might have heard or read about
- Do it with awareness
- Observe how you go about it – does it suit you?
- Bring attention to how it feels
- Look at the result you get out of it – is this what you wanted?
- Adapt the process if required
- If it works, adopt it – and keep on observing
There you go, a scientific approach applied to yourself.
Let me know how you go with it. I’d love to hear about your experiments.
As always, if you’d like some assistance, just click reply or give me a call. I’m here to help you make the best out of your creativity.
Preeti