<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938</id><updated>2012-01-04T11:05:06.518-08:00</updated><category term='dolphins'/><category term='creativity Coach'/><category term='Felinghetti'/><category term='vision'/><category term='birthday'/><category term='creativy'/><category term='Eric Maisel'/><category term='poets'/><category term='Ellen Johnson'/><category term='Brothers Grimm'/><category term='change'/><category term='2010'/><category term='cognitive music'/><category term='gold'/><category term='goals'/><category term='Sheila Jordan'/><category term='artists'/><category term='humanitarian'/><category term='sound creativity'/><category term='inspiration'/><category term='imagination'/><category term='intuition'/><category term='Edison'/><category term='Russ Downie'/><category term='create'/><category term='creativity Coaching'/><category term='motivation'/><category term='creativity'/><category term='inventive'/><category term='creativity-portal.com'/><category term='Einstein'/><category term='Ojai Poetry Festival'/><category term='worries'/><category term='poetry'/><category term='spirit'/><category term='worry quotes'/><category term='uplifting'/><category term='horses'/><category term='Barack Obama'/><category term='vocal improvisation'/><category term='president'/><category term='poems'/><category term='Paul Newman'/><category term='Shirley Downie'/><title type='text'>DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVITY</title><subtitle type='html'>Thoughts, information and discussions on how to manifest creativity and successfully navigate the challenges that come with the artist's or creative person's life.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>17</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-5782125028068997825</id><published>2010-11-25T00:22:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-25T00:34:18.997-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity Coach'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sound creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ellen Johnson'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='inspiration'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='uplifting'/><title type='text'>Thanks to Creativity!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/TO4dJKtCJYI/AAAAAAAAADw/e3zfwj4zmig/s1600/Pink%2Bsnow%2Bcamera.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/TO4dJKtCJYI/AAAAAAAAADw/e3zfwj4zmig/s400/Pink%2Bsnow%2Bcamera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543400234668926338" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Nature is all about creating and we are the recipients of it's amazing images. The beauty of snow on the hills transforms in the pink light of a sunset while the wind shifts from warmth to cold.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And the effortless process of all these effects, that can barely be captured in a photograph, is proof that being alive is the essence of creativity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nature never stops to question itself, it just keeps on creating, thriving, growing and dying. Yes, that is part of the creative process, letting go to make room for a new creation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Trusting the visions that inspire us from our hearts is the authentic way of life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When you create you are in the flow of life.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-5782125028068997825?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/5782125028068997825/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=5782125028068997825' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/5782125028068997825'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/5782125028068997825'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2010/11/thanks-to-creativity.html' title='Thanks to Creativity!'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/TO4dJKtCJYI/AAAAAAAAADw/e3zfwj4zmig/s72-c/Pink%2Bsnow%2Bcamera.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-3486068052155214338</id><published>2010-01-12T18:16:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-01-12T18:20:23.610-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='2010'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='inspiration'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity Coaching'/><title type='text'>2010: The Year To Create or Re-Create Yourself</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/S00tOVIDnKI/AAAAAAAAADg/fdLK2OB8ETg/s1600-h/Ojai+Rainbow+%231.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/S00tOVIDnKI/AAAAAAAAADg/fdLK2OB8ETg/s400/Ojai+Rainbow+%231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426042850263669922" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When you add up the numbers in the year 2010 you get the number three. The number three in numerology is associated with creative energy and expression so this may be a great year to become inspired.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In delving into your own self-invention it’s good to keep in mind part of the creative process is exploration. So be willing to make new discoveries. How have you changed or what changes would you like to make this year? What special gifts or talents do you have that you could use? What new skills would you like to develop or explore?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Being creative is not just making something; music, art, poetry, clothing, etc. it’s how you live your life. Find ways to allow yourself to think creatively and live creatively. Getting stuck in a routine or way of thinking can inhibit the joy of doing something new or spontaneous. Listen to the inner impulse that is helping you to find your personal muse and be aware of the alternate choices you can make each day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are a few suggestions to help you find inspiration to create:&lt;br /&gt;- meditation&lt;br /&gt;- observation&lt;br /&gt;- participation&lt;br /&gt;- motivation&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;These are my four “tions” or fortunes for inspiration. Meditation allows you to listen internally, observation helps you to see the world around you, participation keeps you aware of your part in the whole process, and motivation is the energy to stay inspired.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(The picture above is one I took during a very special moment where everything turns pink on the mountains near my house. As a result the double rainbow was bathed in a pink glow making all he colors look unique. Even mother nature re-invents herself.)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Wishing you a creative New Year and new self!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-3486068052155214338?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/3486068052155214338/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=3486068052155214338' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3486068052155214338'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3486068052155214338'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-year-to-create-or-re-create.html' title='2010: The Year To Create or Re-Create Yourself'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/S00tOVIDnKI/AAAAAAAAADg/fdLK2OB8ETg/s72-c/Ojai+Rainbow+%231.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-460180103477873323</id><published>2009-07-27T00:20:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-07-27T00:25:09.108-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='vocal improvisation'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cognitive music'/><title type='text'>Vocal Improvisation as a Tool for Creativy Enhancement</title><content type='html'>I've been thinking lately about how to use vocal improvisation to help people become more creative and spontaneous in their lives. So I am working on some workshops for musicians and non-musicians to find the inner depths through making sound through their bodies.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is by no means a new concept as people have been using sound for a long time to inspire creative thought and even spiritual evolution. Mine is a combination of what I have learned as a jazz improviser, new music/electronic music improviser, and sound healing. I think there is a way to find a "cognitive high" from working with people on this level.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If anyone is interested I will be doing some workshops in Ojai, CA coming up in the future.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-460180103477873323?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/460180103477873323/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=460180103477873323' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/460180103477873323'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/460180103477873323'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/07/vocal-improvisation-as-tool-for.html' title='Vocal Improvisation as a Tool for Creativy Enhancement'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-6171543258488365220</id><published>2009-05-29T00:47:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-29T00:58:26.278-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Felinghetti'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ojai Poetry Festival'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='poetry'/><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/Sh-VLqUMnEI/AAAAAAAAADQ/vFSc8frSBfU/s1600-h/NewFestFlyer.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/Sh-VLqUMnEI/AAAAAAAAADQ/vFSc8frSBfU/s320/NewFestFlyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341151710654798914" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's been awhile since I've blogged...&lt;br /&gt;so much has been going on so thought I'd share some of that with all of you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Besides singing around my area, working on a couple of books, and coaching I will be doing another Poetry Festival next week. This is the main Poetry Festival that Ojai hosts once a year and this should be quite fun.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'll be doing my poetry with bass accompaniment that I've been doing for quite a number of years. Started out doing other people's poetry like the great beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti (born on my brother's birthday) and others.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm excited to hear some of the other poets in the festival and share in the day of words, imagery, and expression.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Encouraging all of you to find someplace to express yourself and your creativity!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'll be sharing some more creativity tips and thoughts in the next couple of weeks... maybe some sneak previews of my new book.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-6171543258488365220?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/6171543258488365220/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=6171543258488365220' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/6171543258488365220'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/6171543258488365220'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-been-awhile-since-ive-blogged.html' title=''/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/Sh-VLqUMnEI/AAAAAAAAADQ/vFSc8frSBfU/s72-c/NewFestFlyer.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-5345787416306803108</id><published>2009-04-05T11:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-05T12:07:44.929-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sheila Jordan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='poets'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ojai Poetry Festival'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ellen Johnson'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='poetry'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='poems'/><title type='text'>OJAI POETRY FESTIVAL BENEFIT</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/Sdj-3q9oTDI/AAAAAAAAADI/fTepQiX_dKw/s1600-h/finalParty.png"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/Sdj-3q9oTDI/AAAAAAAAADI/fTepQiX_dKw/s320/finalParty.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321283192117283890" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"&gt;Sharing some of my poetry and songs based on poetry at the Ojai Poetry Festival Benefit today.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"&gt;I'll post what I will be reading but here's a few samples of what will be heard today:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Eulogy For A Poem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I’ve missed these lonely nights&lt;br /&gt;Where words poured through my soul&lt;br /&gt;Melting icicles that drip with cold thoughts&lt;br /&gt;Longing for beauty as she smiles in consonants&lt;br /&gt;And voraciously laughs in vowels&lt;br /&gt;Typed or written to soothe the anxiety of assimilation&lt;br /&gt;A concept taken for granted as we peer&lt;br /&gt;Through lit screens emancipated by wireless dreams&lt;br /&gt;And roads that travel everywhere and lead us into&lt;br /&gt;Temptation&lt;br /&gt;Aggravation&lt;br /&gt;Accumulation&lt;br /&gt;And occasional satisfaction&lt;br /&gt;Words dripping from desire as the night sleeps on&lt;br /&gt;With an audience of stars that shift directions&lt;br /&gt;Keeping time in a wound up black hole of light&lt;br /&gt;Reflecting back each image as fast as my mind&lt;br /&gt;Can travel&lt;br /&gt;Correcting all the pragmatic punctuation that slips&lt;br /&gt;From coffee stained bookmarks&lt;br /&gt;Homeless from lack of attention&lt;br /&gt;Replaced by digital dialogues dancing on video monitors&lt;br /&gt;Similar to the eye of Cyclops&lt;br /&gt;Staring at my empty poetry portfolio&lt;br /&gt;Begging for attention&lt;br /&gt;Relieved at the sight of one&lt;br /&gt;Squeezed out bloody turnip of a poem&lt;br /&gt;Glistening in the promise of another.&lt;br /&gt;It occurs to me that I am not finished&lt;br /&gt;That I am still alive with Einstein’s belief in&lt;br /&gt;Imagination.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;©Ellen Johnson – June 14 2006&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"&gt;This poem is available on the CD "These Days" featuring Sheila Jordan improvising in the background (available at iTunes, CDBaby.com and http://www.SoundVisionsMedia.com)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;LITTLE MESSENGER&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;(For Sheila Jordan)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Little messenger&lt;br /&gt;Singing jazz&lt;br /&gt;As she passes our way&lt;br /&gt;On the wings of blackbirds&lt;br /&gt;That blow bebop changes&lt;br /&gt;While telling Charlie’s stories&lt;br /&gt;Through sagacious Cherokee eyes&lt;br /&gt;Not a surprise&lt;br /&gt;To watch wood and flesh&lt;br /&gt;Inspired by the rhythm of ancient ancestors&lt;br /&gt;Calling from the heart of time&lt;br /&gt;The phrases of truth&lt;br /&gt;Dripping down piano keys&lt;br /&gt;Just to please&lt;br /&gt;The songbird&lt;br /&gt;Who perches on our souls&lt;br /&gt;Spreading her seeds of joy&lt;br /&gt;And love&lt;br /&gt;And hope&lt;br /&gt;While God holds her essence&lt;br /&gt;In the perpetual palm of his spirit&lt;br /&gt;As a gift to humanity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ellen Johnson&lt;br /&gt;©2004 Long Snows Moon Music&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-5345787416306803108?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/5345787416306803108/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=5345787416306803108' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/5345787416306803108'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/5345787416306803108'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/04/sharing-some-of-my-poetry-and-songs.html' title='OJAI POETRY FESTIVAL BENEFIT'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/Sdj-3q9oTDI/AAAAAAAAADI/fTepQiX_dKw/s72-c/finalParty.png' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-2996491954996730978</id><published>2009-02-16T00:57:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-16T01:08:15.808-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity Coach'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ellen Johnson'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity-portal.com'/><title type='text'>THE OYSTER AND THE PEARL: What Motivates Us To Create</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SZks6e71quI/AAAAAAAAACw/Wn0-0ndvA14/s1600-h/PEARL.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SZks6e71quI/AAAAAAAAACw/Wn0-0ndvA14/s320/PEARL.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303319419453549282" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"  &gt;Featured Article on:&lt;br /&gt;www.creativity-portal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"&gt;as part of their Author Articles Series&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lately, I’ve been thinking about what motivates us to create. I’ve been contemplating why some people can create works of great beauty under great duress. I’ve been wondering why sometimes you feel so motivated and other times you don’t want to do a thing. Recently, I’ve seen a tremendous amount of motivation for people to get involved in our government and creating new organizations and jobs. You’d think after all the disappointment and disillusionment that it would be just the opposite. Instead there is a renewal of energy and enthusiasm to create new ideas out of the old paradigms. Certainly the typical “struggling artist” is known for creating some of their most innovative work in turmoil when in better days their creations very often become mediocre or non-nonexistent.&lt;/p&gt; So what is it about struggle that motivates and reaps its own rewards?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To finish reading the article go to:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.creativity-portal.com/cca/ellen-johnson/what-motivates-us-create.html" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.creativity-portal.&lt;wbr&gt;com/cca/ellen-johnson/what-&lt;wbr&gt;motivates-us-create.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-2996491954996730978?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/2996491954996730978/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=2996491954996730978' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/2996491954996730978'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/2996491954996730978'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/02/oyster-and-pearl-what-motivates-us-to.html' title='THE OYSTER AND THE PEARL: What Motivates Us To Create'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SZks6e71quI/AAAAAAAAACw/Wn0-0ndvA14/s72-c/PEARL.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-8836849804676065378</id><published>2009-01-15T01:32:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-15T23:39:53.022-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity Coach'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='gold'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ellen Johnson'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Brothers Grimm'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity-portal.com'/><title type='text'>SPINNING STRAW INTO GOLD: Creating From Nothing</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:180%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"  &gt;Featured Article on:&lt;br /&gt;www.creativity-portal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"&gt;as part of their Author Articles Series&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When I was a child I remember hearing the story of Rumpelstiltskin, a fairy tale written by the Brothers Grimm. The gist of the story is that a young girl is forced to spin straw into gold for a king because of her bragging father. Of course she cannot, but a small man, perhaps a gnome like character, tells her he will spin the straw if she gives him first a necklace, then her ring and finally her first born child. The young girl marries the King because of her supposed special talent, becomes a Queen, and eventually gets out of the situation of having to give up her first born by guessing the small man’s name. And so the story goes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I started thinking about “turning straw into gold” and what that means as a creative person. Often we feel as though we are working with straw or we have nothing to offer in our creative lives. That could symbolize a lack of ideas, tools, resources, or even emotional straw. So how do we spin our “straw” or creative energy into gold?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;TO FINISH ARTICLE GO TO: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.creativity-portal.com/cca/ellen-johnson/creating-from-nothing.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;http://www.creativity-portal.com/cca/ellen-johnson/creating-from-nothing.html&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-8836849804676065378?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/8836849804676065378/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=8836849804676065378' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/8836849804676065378'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/8836849804676065378'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/01/spinning-straw-into-gold-creating-from.html' title='SPINNING STRAW INTO GOLD: Creating From Nothing'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-7854530182072000166</id><published>2009-01-08T21:52:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-08T21:55:40.018-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='goals'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='motivation'/><title type='text'>FINDING MOTIVATION TO CREATE</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Welcome to the New Year 2009. &lt;/span&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is the time of year when everyone is motivated to start something “new”; a new book, a new diet, a new job, a new hobby and on and on. We are highly motivated primarily because we are looking back at the year and thinking, “now why didn’t I do what I wanted to do this last year?”.  So we decide not to waste any more time and get started.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As wonderful as that may be it generally lasts about a month and then we loose our motivation, we forget what inspired us, and we lose faith in our dream. There are many good reasons why we don’t accomplish our goals. First of all, we get distracted, or we are overwhelmed with too many goals, or we don’t see quick enough results to keep us interested.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So how do we stay motivated and I might add, focused? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;1) Set a realistic goal with a realistic time frame&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Be careful not to set yourself up for failure.   Choose attainable goals with positive results.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;2) Choose your goal with passion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The things we care about the most are the things we will generally accomplish.  Choose something because it moves you and not out of guilt.   If you really want to lose weight then either do it because there is an emotional reward for you or do it for someone who means something to you.  We always tend to be motivated when there is meaning attached to the outcome otherwise the outcome has no meaning.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;3) Create a routine that works every day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to succeed with your goal is to make it work into your daily life. Whatever you do don’t just add it to your schedule, make it a part of your life.  If you want to learn to play the piano then do a little playing every day.  If you are an artist and want to finish those paintings that have been sitting around all last year, then before lunch decide to paint for 30 minutes.   Make it a habit.  Habits can create a pattern of success when you use them to accomplish positive results.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;4) Show up at your designated time frame no matter what happens &lt;/span&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Even if you don’t do the entire 30 minutes of painting, show up anyway.  Use the time to get ready to paint the next day, to organize your music, to write an outline, etc.   The daily practice of showing up to create or fulfill your goal will keep you motivated and establish a commitment to your progress.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;5) Don’t measure results, measure emotion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are all too hard on ourselves.  Instead of looking at what you accomplished at your designated time frame, notice how you feel afterwards.   The mere idea that you are doing the thing you love is part of the success of your goal.   If you are having a difficult time enjoying the process then find one part of the routine that brings you pleasure and make sure you always incorporate that in your daily routine.   Build on how good that accomplishment makes you feel. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Coda&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes, there will be days when you don’t feel as motivated or exhilarated.  Find something to remind you of what you can accomplish like a picture of a successful performance, an award, a note from someone you admire, etc.  You get it.   Those are your personal motivational memories.  Use them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And remember to celebrate your accomplishments too.  It’s important to give yourself credit for your successes.   Having a reward is motivational too.&lt;br /&gt;Once you get in the habit you will wonder how you ever kept yourself from doing the thing you wanted to in the first place.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-7854530182072000166?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/7854530182072000166/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=7854530182072000166' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/7854530182072000166'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/7854530182072000166'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/01/finding-motivation-to-create.html' title='FINDING MOTIVATION TO CREATE'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-3592083678176541928</id><published>2008-12-21T02:38:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-21T02:57:36.108-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='horses'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='birthday'/><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SU4gKqbrpaI/AAAAAAAAACo/WBTwujgOnpY/s1600-h/Spothorse2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SU4gKqbrpaI/AAAAAAAAACo/WBTwujgOnpY/s320/Spothorse2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282194780513346978" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SU4gAJrU4kI/AAAAAAAAACg/h3JJuZMOD-E/s1600-h/photo.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SU4gAJrU4kI/AAAAAAAAACg/h3JJuZMOD-E/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282194599921902146" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;this time of year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;As winter brings death,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;a chance for re-birth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;I spend my birthday&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;like a child&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;caressing the horses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;of childhood dreams&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;alive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;with the spirit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;of age&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;Satisfied to be a creation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;of my mother and father's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;passion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;and fantasy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;connected by spiraling codes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;that vibrate the universe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;with every breath I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;continue to take&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;(just like the song&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;only better)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;Welcome to my world that someone else created.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;E.Joy Johnson&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" &gt;12/18/2008&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-3592083678176541928?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/3592083678176541928/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=3592083678176541928' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3592083678176541928'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3592083678176541928'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-time-of-year-as-winter-brings.html' title=''/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SU4gKqbrpaI/AAAAAAAAACo/WBTwujgOnpY/s72-c/Spothorse2.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-2186255239294795783</id><published>2008-12-07T14:48:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-17T02:18:46.228-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Russ Downie'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='dolphins'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Shirley Downie'/><title type='text'>WHAT RUSS TAUGHT US...</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/STxTj8GPsnI/AAAAAAAAAB0/kfSTq7lG93A/s1600-h/Russ+the+Dolphin+Trainer+003.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/STxTj8GPsnI/AAAAAAAAAB0/kfSTq7lG93A/s400/Russ+the+Dolphin+Trainer+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277184740264227442" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today I found out that my friend Russ passed away.   I take this opportunity to honor him and the gift he left us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I met Russ through my dear friend Shirley who married him some years ago.   When I was going to meet him for the first time I felt very protective of Shirley because I wanted her to be treated with the love and respect that I felt she deserved.   So I was ready to hammer this guy if he wasn’t up to the job.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To my pleasant surprise Russ was what we ladies would call, “a gem”.   He was genuine with a great sense of humor and an incredible smile.    As strong and as tenacious as he could be was only balanced by his sweetness and kindness to others.    What I loved about Russ was his straightforward attitude that seemed to come less from the California coast and more from the NY east coast mentality of “telling it like it is”.      I resonated with him in that way and often felt we intuitively connected on detecting that type of behavior.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;His personality, in that regard, is what embellished his way of life.     Russ thoroughly created his life.    He jumped in head and heart first diving into the waters of his passion equally excited to bring them to the surface for us all to witness and share with him.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He did not hesitate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He was a practical dreamer who didn’t wait for the genie to appear but crafted his dreams from the opportunities life presented to him.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"&gt;Russ was a wealthy man in the game of life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Russ died as a result of a mysterious motorcycle accident of which the outcome in my mind is still to be determined.  I say that because Russ in his adventurous spirit was never careless and always a responsible person in everything.   Just like his personality he was determined yet aware and I don’t believe that he would ever take unnecessary risks.   To that end I am deeply saddened.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;However, the risks that Russ did take, that we can all learn from, were to follow your passion and live life to its fullest at all times.   This is a message we all need to hear and have drummed into our heads on a daily basis.    Anyone who knows Russ understands that he left this planet with no regrets; he loved his family, friends, work, nature, hobbies, and himself; something we can all aspire to in our own lives.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For his 50th birthday in October his wife, Shirley, treated Russ by giving him the gift to swim with the dolphins and experience being a dolphin trainer for day.    He found delight in challenging himself to new adventures and these brilliant, mystical creatures added a new dimension to his every day existence.   I can’t help but think that Russ is riding a dolphin at top speeds somewhere in the great unknown smiling like a Cheshire cat spreading his joy for eternity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That’s how I’d like to imagine it anyway.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Let us learn from Russ to create a passionate and abundant life in all ways.&lt;br /&gt;Thanks for the lesson Russ…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We’ll miss you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Russ Downie&lt;br /&gt;1958 - 2008&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-2186255239294795783?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/2186255239294795783/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=2186255239294795783' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/2186255239294795783'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/2186255239294795783'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-russ-taught-us.html' title='WHAT RUSS TAUGHT US...'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/STxTj8GPsnI/AAAAAAAAAB0/kfSTq7lG93A/s72-c/Russ+the+Dolphin+Trainer+003.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-3231094179941718578</id><published>2008-11-23T23:33:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-17T02:19:08.010-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Eric Maisel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity Coaching'/><title type='text'>Who Cares? .. I do</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SSpbEKIvZAI/AAAAAAAAABs/7PTzYH7hOcY/s1600-h/EJ-Dusty-3.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SSpbEKIvZAI/AAAAAAAAABs/7PTzYH7hOcY/s200/EJ-Dusty-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272126440789206018" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SSpaYIOBhSI/AAAAAAAAABk/w2u-sNchQlE/s1600-h/EJ-Dusty-2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SSpaYIOBhSI/AAAAAAAAABk/w2u-sNchQlE/s200/EJ-Dusty-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272125684360250658" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This election year it seemed to me that people really cared about voting.   How interesting that it has taken such a long time to get such a high percentage of people out to vote.  Could it be they finally started to care?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It seems obvious to me and probably to you too that we should all care about what happens to ourselves, our families, our country, and our world but often that is not the case.   It sometimes feels like a struggle to care.   That could be why you may not take time for your creative work as odd as that might sound.   In order to put the energy into a task we simple have to care, be inspired, be enthusiastic or at the least concerned.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I believe there is a deadly dis-ease that has been going around called “I don’t matter”.   I have to tell you that I did not really discover this myself until working under the tutelage of Eric Maisel who has been my teacher and coach in this new emerging field of Creativity Coaching.   On one exercise he assigned I found myself writing this, “For as productive a person as I am and can be I have struggled with the idea that no one particularly cares about what I do or create.   The realization of this thought came to me in the last year or so and I have been finding it surface to my conscious awareness not so much as a knee jerk reaction anymore but as a clear thought form.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I was amazed to read this back the other day and discover that as a result of those feelings I found it hard for me to care about what I am doing at times.   So I figured that other people might be going through this same kind of thought process and it would be good to shed some light on what it is all about.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Clearly we live in society where there is not enough time to spend with our children and even when we have time we are preoccupied.   Today there are zillions (a creative form of measurement) of pieces of art works, books, music, performances, and on and on.  Even if you do manage to care enough to put your creative work “out there” most likely it will rarely get very much notice.   So why should you care?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Once again, we have managed to put our worth in the hands of our society instead of knowing our own true worth.  Years ago philosophers, poets, writers and even politicians reminded us about the importance of knowing who you are.   In the 60’s it was called, “do your thing”.   We all need to get back to doing our thing so we can matter in our lives.   Doing your thing doesn’t mean ignoring the lives of others around you or feeling superior to someone else.  It’s about allowing your spirit, your nature, your inner guidance (whatever that may be) to allow you to contribute to your life in your own way.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It’s possible by doing this you might become famous but it’s also possible you will just do it because it makes you feel good.   Because you matter and so does your creativity.  Only you can care about what you do in this world no one can ever make you care.   In my opinion, many depressed people have lost the ability to care about themselves.   They may even be able to care about another person or a cause but when it comes down to caring about themselves they are at a loss of how to connect to the world.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sometimes the act of creating something really special or beautiful can inspire us to care.  Yet we still have to make that first step of caring enough to get to the act of creating so you can see what a circle this can become if we don’t pay attention or have some kind of support in our lives.&lt;br /&gt;It’s often the case that when people age and no longer work they die fairly soon.   Maybe it’s because they don’t feel like they matter anymore.   It would be great to find the creative urge throughout your life that helps you to reconnect with what makes you matter in life.&lt;br /&gt;But more than that you have to decide to matter.  You have to decide that what you do every day matters.   And  once you get to that place you have achieved success.   Real success.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So I hope you care.  I do.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-3231094179941718578?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/3231094179941718578/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=3231094179941718578' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3231094179941718578'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3231094179941718578'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/11/who-cares-i-do.html' title='Who Cares? .. I do'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SSpbEKIvZAI/AAAAAAAAABs/7PTzYH7hOcY/s72-c/EJ-Dusty-3.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-3727035115700390535</id><published>2008-11-07T13:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-07T13:52:22.347-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity Coach'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='vision'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='president'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barack Obama'/><title type='text'>CREATING A COUNTRY</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SRS4WrnUFRI/AAAAAAAAABU/dB_Slvb0uOA/s1600-h/small_obama_image.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SRS4WrnUFRI/AAAAAAAAABU/dB_Slvb0uOA/s320/small_obama_image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266036564107203858" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The labor pains were intense on this baby but we delivered a new President, Barack Obama, and it was a better than expected delivery. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Whether you were on one side or the other of the election process, as a Creativity Coach, what I observed was the perfect circle of creation.   A vision, the belief, a direction, the tools, the effort to make it happen, the constant attention to details, the intensive labor, the results, the celebration or bringing the creation to the public awareness. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes, we did create, collectively, a new work of art for our country.   It sounds, looks, feels and moves like the spirit of freedom and unity.   We had to imagine it could happen and believe in the ability for it to manifest, which is what many people did, together. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Let this be a reminder that the process of creation is within us all as individuals or as a group.&lt;br /&gt;Let’s make sure we create what we want, need and what is best for all.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-3727035115700390535?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/3727035115700390535/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=3727035115700390535' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3727035115700390535'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/3727035115700390535'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/11/creating-country.html' title='CREATING A COUNTRY'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SRS4WrnUFRI/AAAAAAAAABU/dB_Slvb0uOA/s72-c/small_obama_image.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-744842430479014673</id><published>2008-11-01T23:23:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-12-17T02:23:48.054-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='worries'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='worry quotes'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity Coaching'/><title type='text'>CREATIVE WORRIES AND NO WORRIES</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SQ2EdfxQK8I/AAAAAAAAABM/RPRWJKiUSIQ/s1600-h/EllenSlide.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SQ2EdfxQK8I/AAAAAAAAABM/RPRWJKiUSIQ/s320/EllenSlide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264009181745130434" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:arial;" &gt;“Worry is like a rocking chair--it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.” Glen Turner&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;In our every day desire to create we often get caught in the current of worries.    It’s easy today to fall prey to such thinking with the collapse of the financial markets, elections, health care, world issues, finding jobs, paying for school for you or your child, and the list goes on.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;So where do we find the time to create with all that noise in our heads?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;If we are rocking away in our worries, it’s true; we are doing something but going nowhere.   Why not invest that thinking into something that gives you a pay off at the end?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;That’s right.  Start creating.   If you are an artist already than you know what that means.  Get to work on that painting.  How about worrying about what you are going to paint today or what colors you would like to use.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;If you are a writer how about working on building those characters and let them do the worrying for you.   A dance choreographer can be thinking about how to create some new steps for the dancers.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:arial;" &gt;Worry ducks when purpose flies overhead.  ~C. Astrid Webe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;The African slaves had a way of dealing with their troubles.  They created music and stories.   In those stories they sang about their troubles so that they could release the pain and feel happiness.   Those songs we now call “the blues”.   People think that the blues give you the blues but as a matter of fact they were meant to help you get rid of your pain.   These courageous people understood the deepest secret of dealing with worries in life – do something creative and expressive.   So start singing your own song or one that helps you to express your inner worries and you will find that you feel much better when you are done.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;If you are a musician, singer, or songwriter than grasp the moment of worry and write about it so that your “purpose” is to relieve your troubled mind.  In doing so you may relieve someone else’s troubled mind too.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:arial;" &gt;Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.  ~William Ralph Inge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;So what about those of you who are worrying about your creativity or success in your creative career?  How do you cope with those worries?   Perhaps by becoming more interested in what you are creating than the outcome of your creation.  Find the joy in doing the craft, taking the journey, and expressing who you are on the way.   A reminder of why you have chosen this creative life is always a good place to start when you begin to feel the pressures of commerce and recognition in your work.   Let things progress instead of pushing and take time to imagine the life you want to lead through your art.    An important thing to remember is that life changes and changes you.   So stay tuned in to how you feel each day so that you are not living out fears of the past or future.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;My mom always says to me, “if you wait one more day something might change”.   I always think about that when I start to feel worried.   Every day does hold the promise of a new beginning, a new opportunity and a new direction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;I leave you with this thought:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" &gt;I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance.  Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fears try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal - and soon they'll forget my number.  ~Edith Armstrong&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-744842430479014673?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/744842430479014673/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=744842430479014673' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/744842430479014673'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/744842430479014673'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/11/creative-worries-and-no-worries.html' title='CREATIVE WORRIES AND NO WORRIES'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SQ2EdfxQK8I/AAAAAAAAABM/RPRWJKiUSIQ/s72-c/EllenSlide.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-5046271221090941395</id><published>2008-10-13T12:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-13T12:40:39.418-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='imagination'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Edison'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spirit'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='create'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='inventive'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Einstein'/><title type='text'>WHATEVER HAPPENED TO IMAGINATION?</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SPOkDVt9PLI/AAAAAAAAAAo/cgHmmjHwhOY/s1600-h/NYAUTUMNPIC.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SPOkDVt9PLI/AAAAAAAAAAo/cgHmmjHwhOY/s200/NYAUTUMNPIC.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256725567347965106" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Einstein was quoted as saying “Imagination is more important than knowledge” but could it be that imagination IS knowledge?    It is always the inventor, the idea person, the entrepreneur, and the artist on the edge that seems to carry us into the future.   Without the imaginative spirit we cannot progress or evolve and it is quite possibly that lack of spirit that is challenging us as Americans to re-imagine ourselves.   This could be one of the most exciting times for creativity because we have so much to create!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;I’ve listened to the negativity predicted by the pundits and fear mongers and I say we should all start painting, singing, dancing, writing, playing and imagining a better future on this planet.   Yes, I am an idealist at heart because when I see the amazing and beautiful things that people create I am encouraged to believe that we can accomplish great things together.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;But these things can never happen without a healthy dose of imagination and the ability to allow ourselves to embrace our creative passions.   Don’t think for a minute that your desire to take that photograph of the sunset isn’t as important as doing your job.  Allowing yourself to take that photograph helps you to do your job and to contribute to your role in society with a genuine connection to your world.   If we deny our need to use our imagination we deny our life.   Imagination can be as simple as cooking a meal and thinking “now I wonder what that would  taste like if I added….” and then having the courage to try it, even if it doesn’t work out.   You never know where it might lead you.  Just as it took Edison many, many tries to invent the light bulb we should never give up on our imaginative ideas.   It’s not about it working the first time; it’s about it working the last time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;So allow yourself to imagine doing something creative, living the life you want, sailing on the ocean, writing a book, singing for an audience, creating a new financial plan or whatever moves you.   We need to access our imaginations on a daily basis so that we can be and stay inspired to live a life that is rich with meaning.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Find ways to use your own imagination instead of the visual bombardment you receive on a daily basis from TV, YouTube, games, DVD’s, etc.   Try listening to some instrumental music and visualize what’s going on, listen to a recorded story and see if you can see the surroundings or characters, walk in nature and hear the birds and invent a new world, or just sit in silence and envision your own environment.     When we know we can access our imagination it gives us a sense of confidence in helping us to create our universe and add our own unique vision to our world.   Find your imagination and use it every day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-5046271221090941395?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/5046271221090941395/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=5046271221090941395' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/5046271221090941395'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/5046271221090941395'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/10/whatever-happened-to-imagination.html' title='WHATEVER HAPPENED TO IMAGINATION?'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SPOkDVt9PLI/AAAAAAAAAAo/cgHmmjHwhOY/s72-c/NYAUTUMNPIC.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-4222338281812161552</id><published>2008-09-28T22:23:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-28T22:24:43.402-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='artists'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='humanitarian'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Paul Newman'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='change'/><title type='text'>Creating Change</title><content type='html'>With the elections quickly moving closer there has been much talk about change.  Changing the way we do business in Washington, changing the way we approach our energy dependence, changing the way we handle our finances, and changing the patterns of the past that no longer serve our voyage into the 21st century.&lt;br /&gt;Artists (musicians, painters, dancers, writers, actors, etc) have always had a reputation for being at the forefront of change.  In fact they often have been accused of being catalysts for changes in our society.   With that in mind, it occurred to me how important our creativity is in times of change.   Whether we have inspired, caused or encouraged change in one way or another we continue that creative mindset as we move into transforming times.  &lt;br /&gt;So if you are feeling overwhelmed during these “uncertain times” then you might find comfort in the idea that your contributions through your creative works might be part of the solution to our global problems.    “What?” you are probably saying to yourself, “my painting, my poem, my song is a solution?  How can that be?”&lt;br /&gt;Well, by each of us continuing to allow our imaginations and instincts to create new concepts we may be lighting a match to create the fire of inspiration beneath a new generation of leaders, business and community workers.   When we allow ourselves to stay on purpose with our creative endeavors with a sincere interest in the process we are connecting in a most profound way with the world in a spirit of change.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yesterday I read that the brilliant actor, activist, and humanitarian Paul Newman passed away at the age of 83.   His donations and services to many charities were applauded by the world.    Through his ability to dig deep inside and use his creative gifts as an actor he left us with a catalog of memorable films.  These were the same creative gifts he used to develop his food products that allowed him to give millions to charities and to even create his own special charities including the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp that helps children with severe illness.   Please check out this link to read about his legacy: http://www4.holeinthewallgang.org/tribute5.asp.&lt;br /&gt;We must never forget the tremendous value our creativity serves not only to ourselves but also to others.   Whenever you doubt whether you should finish that painting, publish that book, record that song, dance in that concert, or read your poem at a local café please keep in mind that you never know how your creativity will effect others or help to create some needed change in our lives.&lt;br /&gt;I honor our fellow creative beings, like Paul Newman, who instinctively understood the depth of their creativity.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-4222338281812161552?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/4222338281812161552/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=4222338281812161552' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/4222338281812161552'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/4222338281812161552'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/09/creating-change.html' title='Creating Change'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-80852349617596361</id><published>2008-09-19T13:57:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-28T22:32:36.569-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='imagination'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='artists'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='intuition'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='create'/><title type='text'>Creating In Uncertain Times</title><content type='html'>Earlier this week I was walking late at night and was left quite breathless by the site of a stunning moon, huge in size and shining like a beacon on everything in its site.  How could something so amazing and beautiful be happening at such a tumultuous time in my life?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just last weekend another devastating hurricane, an election year (that seems like the contemporary version of the civil war) and then the sudden collapse of significant financial institutions.    These are important situations that require our attention and some serious soul searching about our lives. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So how does one create during such “uncertain times”?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I believe this is the time for all of us to become more creative than ever.   As our old creations destruct we are required to replace them with new and better models for the future.    The cycle of creativity involves destruction as we cannot create something new until we have finished the old creation in some capacity; sold the painting, deleted the recording to write a new song, tore up the pages or simply filed them away, cut the old fabric to make a new outfit, tore down the old house to build our dream house and on and on.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Maybe our environmental crisis is here to teach us something about our creativity… create and then destroy or recycle.    How many times have you found an old chapter of a book you started and wrote a new one, lines of old poems to create new ones, part of a melody and wrote the song you really wanted.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I believe we have an incredible opportunity to be creative during these difficult times and to find deeper purpose in our lives.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And we can be creative in so many ways, not just our “art” work.  Try a creative financial plan, a business that supports the changing environment, inventive ways to deal with people in your life or a unique perspective on the world.    We needn’t get caught up in the old quagmire of thinking when we can direct our thoughts to the possibilities of what we can NOW create.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And yes, it might feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar for sure and we might even have to work together to make this happen.   We may have to learn new communication skills and ways of dealing with a new set of problems.   So what?   (As if the human beings before us never coped with these challenges).  We are up for the task and we must look to our imagination, intuition, and a strong sense of courage to help us with our own personal and collective mission.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As for the “artists’ in our society it seems to me some of the best art work: music, dance, theater, poetry, paintings, sculpture. books, etc. came out of the struggles of man.    Art has always signified the pulse of truth, struggles of mankind, and the heart of our culture.   We couldn’t have a better time to be digging deep beneath the surface to find the precious metals of our existence.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is the time to create, be creative or explore your creativity.   Participate in your community and the society at large by offering your creative ideas and solutions.  Let’s all act like that beautiful and amazing moon that keeps shinning in the dark.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There is no better time than now.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-80852349617596361?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/80852349617596361/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=80852349617596361' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/80852349617596361'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/80852349617596361'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/09/creating-in-uncertain-times.html' title='Creating In Uncertain Times'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792342773203259938.post-4731973175766530735</id><published>2008-09-15T00:17:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-28T22:31:48.370-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='imagination'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='artists'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='create'/><title type='text'>You Are Creative</title><content type='html'>Creativity is our birth rite. &lt;div&gt;  &lt;div&gt;The first step of our journey started with the ultimate creative and sacred act and we are the result.   &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Everyday you see creation in motion through nature or the choices we make in our lives.   Children play by using their imaginations to create something fun while we create our careers, opportunities and countless other "creations".  &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;There seems to be a hidden or visible passion in each of us to find purpose and expression in our lives.  Part of that expression comes in a variety of forms; a book, a song, a dance, a poem, a painting, a great meal, home made crafts, fixing up a car, a business idea, planning a party, and numerous other ways.   &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;More than ever in this lifetime we are searching for creative solutions and ways to make our lives more meaningful.   &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;This blog is to remind all of us that "we are creative" and we need to allow ourselves to dig deep inside ourselves to discover who we are and what our lives mean to us.   In that journey we find truth, beauty, and the peace of mind that comes from what I call a healthy dose of inner struggle.    &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The act of creation has it's fair share of discomfort before the birth of a miracle. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;  &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Learning to relax in the process is the mastery of the art and sometimes the best part of the journey.   &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Think about what you want to create in your life today and make one step in that direction, for yourself and for the world.   &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6792342773203259938-4731973175766530735?l=discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/feeds/4731973175766530735/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6792342773203259938&amp;postID=4731973175766530735' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/4731973175766530735'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6792342773203259938/posts/default/4731973175766530735'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://discoveryourcreativity.blogspot.com/2008/09/you-are-creative.html' title='You Are Creative'/><author><name>SoundCreativity.com</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10031035624620346631</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lBr44yZw6ik/SM4XtsokHaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/apDEhzTP_1s/S220/EJ-photo.png'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry></feed>
