There are buds on my lilac bush. Ahhh...Spring. It gives me hope to watch the world renew. Yes, we’ll have more snow but it will be dotted with playful crocus and sunny daffodil blooms. The buds and bulbs alert all my senses. Colors, texture, fragrance--it feels fresh and new. The anticipation of a new season helps lift me out of a rut and back in the creative groove.
What about you? Are you in a groove? Congratulations! May your ride be smooth and productive.
And the rest of you? Are you like me, in a rut? My tasks feel heavy. Arduous. Chores pile high like dirty snow. It’s been a somber, grey winter and I need a change. The best way out is to take a cue from Spring and lighten up. Be playful. Think young. Here’s a game of Child’s Play to lift you out of the rut.
There are buds on my lilac bush. Ahhh...Spring. It gives me hope to watch the world renew. Yes, we’ll have more snow but it will be dotted with playful crocus and sunny daffodil blooms. The buds and bulbs alert all my senses. Colors, texture, fragrance--it feels fresh and new. The anticipation of a new season helps lift me out of a rut and back in the creative groove.
What about you? Are you in a groove? Congratulations! May your ride be smooth and productive.
And the rest of you? Are you like me, in a rut? My tasks feel heavy. Arduous. Chores pile high like dirty snow. It’s been a somber, grey winter and I need a change. The best way out is to take a cue from Spring and lighten up. Be playful. Think young. Here’s a game of Child’s Play to lift you out of the rut.
Collect a crayon and paper and practice this meditation: close your eyes and think back--to being 7. You are wearing cowboy boots and “Cars” pajamas. (You also wore this yesterday and will wear it again tomorrow.) Run to the kitchen to drink half a glass of juice. Grab paper and crayon. Run to the living room. Stop to knock down your brother’s tower of blocks. Run back to the kitchen to drink more juice. Wipe your mouth on your sleeve. Now run back to the living room to draw. Fling your your body on the rug and burp. Laugh out loud. Draw a picture of your crying brother. Then, while you’re in “time-out” think about some other things you can draw....Now, make your own drawing. Be seven-years-old while you draw. Sing while you draw. Make up a story while you draw. Feel renewed.
It's a healthy way to suspend impulse control. You'll find this exercise works wonders for the psyche. It's as relaxing as meditation and rejuvenating as a brisk walk. And that's a handy tool when you are overworked. Keep a pad of paper and some markers handy, close your eyes and dream up your own seven-year-old meditation and doodle your cares away. Practice often and you might find yourself journaling. You'll be back in the groove in no time. Maybe for the first time since you were seven!
BTW, the absolute best book about this kind of spontaneous, childlike drawing is “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” It's so good I dare say it is required reading. Read it and be seven again!
What about you? Are you in a groove? Congratulations! May your ride be smooth and productive.
And the rest of you? Are you like me, in a rut? My tasks feel heavy. Arduous. Chores pile high like dirty snow. It’s been a somber, grey winter and I need a change. The best way out is to take a cue from Spring and lighten up. Be playful. Think young. Here’s a game of Child’s Play to lift you out of the rut.
Collect a crayon and paper and practice this meditation: close your eyes and think back--to being 7. You are wearing cowboy boots and “Cars” pajamas. (You also wore this yesterday and will wear it again tomorrow.) Run to the kitchen to drink half a glass of juice. Grab paper and crayon. Run to the living room. Stop to knock down your brother’s tower of blocks. Run back to the kitchen to drink more juice. Wipe your mouth on your sleeve. Now run back to the living room to draw. Fling your your body on the rug and burp. Laugh out loud. Draw a picture of your crying brother. Then, while you’re in “time-out” think about some other things you can draw....Now, make your own drawing. Be seven-years-old while you draw. Sing while you draw. Make up a story while you draw. Feel renewed.
It's a healthy way to suspend impulse control. You'll find this exercise works wonders for the psyche. It's as relaxing as meditation and rejuvenating as a brisk walk. And that's a handy tool when you are overworked. Keep a pad of paper and some markers handy, close your eyes and dream up your own seven-year-old meditation and doodle your cares away. Practice often and you might find yourself journaling. You'll be back in the groove in no time. Maybe for the first time since you were seven!
BTW, the absolute best book about this kind of spontaneous, childlike drawing is “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” It's so good I dare say it is required reading. Read it and be seven again!
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