Creative Ideation

This past week, many people were captivated by the night sky. I haven’t watched the news in almost three years, so if it hadn’t been for the frenzy on social media, I might have completely missed the stunning display of the Northern Lights. On Friday, I stepped out onto the deck again, hoping for another glimpse. The second photo shows what I saw - a sight beautiful in its own right. It reminded me of how often we take the ordinary for granted, always waiting for something dramatic to pull us off the couch.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that Thursday night’s light show was a rare, once-in-lifetime event in these parts. But it was also a reminder of how breathtaking the night sky is on any clear evening.

Henry David Thoreau captured it perfectly: “The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” Both of these images remind me of how my mind feels when bombarded by thoughts of what I should try next. Each offers a different perspective, yet both are overflowing with ideas on how to push myself to keep exploring new possibilities.

There are days when I feel like I am searching for my voice, knowing full well that it’s out there. Sometimes, it takes an explosion of thoughts to make me pay attention. Other times, all I need to do is look at what’s right in front of me.

“The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realties.”

James Allen

I don’t know if or when the Aurora Borealis will grace my deck again, but I do know that the unfiltered beauty of the night sky is nearly always available. Each night tells a story, creating pathways for me to tap into my creative energy, positioning me to accept inspiration from the universe - no matter what form it takes.

Mark Twain said, “Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts or happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts that is forever flowing through one’s head.”

I’m beginning to realize that real beauty often reveals itself in the aftermath of the storms we can’t control. Filtered or not, the seeds of creative ideas take root when we learn to see beyond self-doubt - just another man-made storm to hold us back.

“The graveyard is the richest place on the surface of the earth becasue there you will see the books that were not published, ideas that were not harnessed, songs that were not sung, and drama pieces that were never acted.”

Myles Munroe

So act now. Look to the heavens to draw on your creative energy, rather than looking down from above someday, wondering what you forgot to leave behind.

Talk soon…

G