"When working on The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci regularly took off from painting
for several hours at a time and seemed to be daydreaming aimlessly.
Urged by his patron, the prior of Santa Maria delle Grazie, to work more continuously,
da Vinci is reported to have replied, immodestly but accurately,
'The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.'"
If it was good enough for Leonardo, it just might be good for us. Rest. Daydreaming. Re-creation. Playtime. Especially if the creative flow is slowly but surely waning. And we realize that boredom, restlessness, or something strangely off-kilter is descending, bringing with it unfulfilling, yawn-inspiring work. Same old same old activities. Fading relationships. Or ministry involvement that seems to be going nowhere.
And we're feeling a bit dried up, kind of crispy around the edges.
Maybe we're striving too hard to make life happen. To reach success ... or even make it through the day. Goal-driven, our to-do lists have become unwieldy and we're unable to simply be in the moment. Someone always wants a piece of us. Calendars are jam-packed. And every hour is laced with incessant texting, Facebook and/or email checking, and other mindless craziness.
Is it any wonder we're so tightly wound?
Less, not more, is sounding more and more appealing, isn't it. Social media's incessant noise, the endless demanding clutter of possessions, and a sedentary lifestyle that's slowly evolved over time are keeping us from blooming healthy and strong. Daydreaming, playing, and creating? Those pastimes have become a distant faded memory.
4 STEPS TO GET THOSE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING
1. Unplug
Without thought, we've invited screens to invade our every waking moment. They now accompany us everywhere we go. In all sizes, they demand our involvement, define who we are, and call the shots of our lives. Obsessed we are. Literally.
The good news? We get to choose what to do with our addiction to social media and technology. If we dare.
2. Unpack
Simplicity and minimalism walk hand in hand, softly, urgently calling our names. We're too encumbered with our stuff ... and we know it. Buying it, cleaning it, sorting it, moving it, decorating it, adjusting it, throwing it in the corner, storing it, paying for it.
The good news? We get to choose what we want to do with the avalanche of possessions that steal our energy, our joy, our wallets, our focus.
3. Head outdoors
Fresh breezes, new vistas, the smells and sights and sounds of creation beckon. Our heads begin to clear and hearts open wide as our feet hit the grass, sand, or pavement. These moments are the best venues for conversations with the Lord or with those who walk alongside. The spaciousness of creation opens up our abilities to sort through situations that are complex, weird, or confusing. Brilliant little snippets of ideas come and settle in for us to savor and act on. We breathe deep. And smile.
The good news? This doesn't cost us a dime.
4. Doodle
Long ago, most of us were natural creators. Fingerpainting, drawing, coloring, designing, sculpting, digging in the sand. It's time to ferret out the old arts and crafts stuff ... or invest in some new goodies. And simply start to doodle around a bit. We shouldn't judge our fledgling masterpieces too harshly. But instead, laugh out loud as we revel in this simplest of childhood joys. And see where it takes us.
The good news? Most of us have been yearning to play again. We just didn't know it.
What are you doing to get YOUR creative energy flowing?
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