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    4 tools to help unblock your creativity

    en-usMarch 01, 2022

    Podcast Summary

    • Incorporating prayer into creative practicesPrayer and morning pages together can lead to a deeper connection with inner wisdom and creativity, expanding the mind and making room for new ideas.

      Incorporating prayer into creative practices, as suggested by author Julia Cameron, can lead to greater creativity and a sense of freedom. Cameron, who wrote the best-selling book "The Artist's Way," shares in this episode of NPR's Life Kit that prayer can take different forms and doesn't require any specific religious affiliation. Morning pages, another creative practice from Cameron's book, can help train the mind to expand and make room for new ideas. Prayer and morning pages together can create a daily practice that leads to a deeper connection with one's inner wisdom and creativity. Support for this podcast and the following message comes from our sponsors. Whole Foods Market invites you to host a celebratory brunch for less with their wallet-friendly 365 by Whole Foods Market brand. Discover wallet-happy finds like whole smoked Atlantic salmon, mini quiches, organic everything bagels, and more. Plus, visit the floral department for a beautiful bouquet of big, bright, sourced-for-good flowers to jazz up your table. Additionally, Equinix, the world's digital infrastructure company, powers companies to enable podcasts like this one and brings the expertise, infrastructure, and partners to turn your digital dreams into your biggest achievements. Learn how Equinix can help bring your visionary goals and innovative ideas to life at equinix.com/solutions.

    • Finding what works for personal growth and creativityDiscovering a spiritual practice or financial reward system that resonates can lead to personal growth, creativity, and financial benefits.

      Finding what works for you in your spiritual journey, whether it's through prayer, sobriety, or connecting with a higher power, can lead to personal growth and creativity. Apple Card offers a practical way to earn rewards on daily purchases, while personal experiences with prayer and sobriety demonstrate the importance of finding a spiritual practice that resonates deeply. Apple Card, with its daily cash rewards, is a convenient and effective way to earn cash back on everyday purchases. Apple Card members can earn 3% on purchases made at Apple, 2% on Apple Pay purchases, and 1% on other purchases. This can be a significant financial benefit, especially when planning a perfect and delicious brunch. On a deeper level, the speaker shares their personal experience of finding a spiritual practice that worked for them during their sobriety journey. They discovered that prayer, in the form of connecting with a creative energy, helped them stay sober and ignited their creativity. This experience demonstrates the importance of finding a spiritual practice that resonates with us, rather than adhering to external expectations or definitions. In essence, whether it's through financial rewards or spiritual growth, finding what works for us can lead to positive outcomes and enhance our daily lives.

    • Exploring the Power of Prayer for Personal Growth and CreativityPrayer, in various forms like petition, praise, and gratitude, can enhance personal growth and creativity by allowing a higher power to guide and tap into deeper emotions and connection.

      Prayer can be an effective tool for personal growth and creative expression. The speaker shares how they felt pressured into praying but found value in it when they let go of trying to write the best thing and instead allowed their higher power to guide their writing. They explain that prayer comes in different forms, including petition where one asks for something, and praise and gratitude where one expresses thanks for what they have. The speaker emphasizes that prayers of gratitude are personal and can help shift focus from what one lacks to what they are thankful for. By incorporating prayer into their daily practice, the speaker found that their writing improved and they were able to tap into a deeper sense of creativity and connection.

    • Morning pages: A daily writing practice for a clearer mind and creative lifeWriting down three pages of longhand thoughts first thing in the morning helps clarify feelings, stay focused on personal agenda, and express authentic emotions, leading to a more optimistic and creative mindset.

      Developing a consistent morning writing practice, also known as morning pages, is a crucial element of living a creative and intentional life. Morning pages involve writing down three pages of longhand thoughts first thing in the morning, allowing you to ventilate your negativity and clarify your feelings. This practice helps you stay focused on your own agenda and authentically express how you truly feel, ultimately leading to a more optimistic and creative mindset. By regularly examining and defining your thoughts and desires, morning pages can help puncture denial and keep you from being sidetracked by other people's agendas. This practical tool, as outlined in Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's Way," can be a game-changer for those seeking to live more intentionally and creatively.

    • Exploring Creativity through Spirituality: The Artist DateIncorporating play and joyful activities into our weekly routines, known as an 'artist date', can foster creativity and spiritual growth.

      Spirituality and creativity are deeply interconnected. Julia Cameron, an artist and spiritual teacher, emphasizes the importance of incorporating play and exploration into our weekly routines as a tool for creative recovery. She calls this practice an "artist date," where we set aside time to engage in activities that bring us joy and curiosity. This idea might seem frivolous, but Cameron argues that it's essential for fostering creativity and spiritual growth. She also challenges the common notion that creativity arises from suffering, instead suggesting that it emerges from happiness. By embracing play and recognizing the link between spirituality and creativity, we can unlock new sources of inspiration and enrich our lives.

    • Exploring the Connection Between Creativity and SpiritualityNurture both your creative and spiritual selves through daily practice and focusing on personal growth, not comparison.

      Creativity and spirituality are interconnected paths to finding wisdom and connection. Julia Cameron, the author of "Seeking Wisdom: A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection," emphasizes the importance of nurturing both our creative and spiritual selves. To start a creative practice, Cameron suggests setting aside time each day for artistic expression, whether it's writing, painting, or another form of art. She also advises managing jealousy by focusing on our own growth rather than comparing ourselves to others. The podcast "Life Kit" offers resources and advice on these topics and more. Meanwhile, the podcast "Choiceology" explores the psychology and economics behind people's decisions through stories from various experts. Lastly, Jackson Financial Incorporated aims to make retirement planning clear and straightforward with their easy-to-understand resources and user-friendly digital tools. And if you're able, consider supporting public radio by donating during upcoming giving days at donate.npr.org.

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