Creative Imagining

I'm ready for a creative re-boot!

 Agenda:

1. Generosity practice

2. Read "The Book of Doing and Being"

3. Beginner's mind meditation for my book

4. Pre-K school plans

5. Projects for the week

1. Generosity practice:

On the third day of the waning gibbous moon, I practice a love meditation, and then journal about generosity with time and attention. I start with ideas for being generous with myself, then my family, my neighborhood, community, and the earth. I might decide to give money or a gift, or simple acts of helping and sharing my time.

This month's generosity plan:

1. Clear space for a sabbath day
2. Let go of the need for fairness and work instead for equanimity
3. Generosity with birds and squirrels
4. Abundant effort on Earthcare group tasks, news letters, and scheduling

When I'm motivated by the desire to give, just the intention to offer my help, and my willingness to listen, will begin to lessen suffering in the world.

2. Read "The Book of Doing and Being":

I'm reading from this book by Barnet Bain (2015), subtitled "Rediscovering Creativity in Life, Love, and Work". This is a book of creative perspective, to help jiggle me out of the straight line way I usually think into something new: Use the exercises with consistency in order to stay focused on my destination. Practice will ground me and allow my ambitions to take root and grow.

Chapter 2 is Into the Wilds of Creative Imagining. "The rational mind can create a false boundary between our understanding and the wildness and freedom of our imagination." She introduces the Creativity Quotient (CQ instead of IQ), which includes the capacities of sensing, being, and knowing. I took her quiz and got a 50/50 on CQ, frankly better than I expected!

So I can develop my CQ in order to increase my hope and vision, and expand the boundaries of my expectations, compassion, innovation, and discovery. 

She describes a two-part creative imagining process: 

1. Bring to mind a project I'm working on. 
2. Prime the pump by imaging the smell of my project, what it would feel like if I could touch it, the flavor or taste sensations, and its sound.
3. Then close my eyes and imagine that my project is already completed; consider it from different aspects of myself:

• My confident self
• Accomplished self
• Abundant self
• Higher self
• Child self
• Analytical self
• Feeling self

3. Beginner's mind meditation for my book:

My theme this year is Creative Perspective: To keep a positive and broad perspective; shift my perspective to help myself find equanimity, and also expand my perspective (think outside the box), having the courage to take experimental risks and express myself honestly with words and art.

Today I'll enjoy a beginners mind meditation for my book project. Beginner's mind is dropping expectations and preconceived ideas, seeing things with an open mind, fresh eyes, curiosity and wonder.

1. Creative imagining process: My book smells like vanilla; it's heavy and colorful, like a sparkly gem; it needs a better name (EarthHeart?); it's got a hum, like a dragon egg about to hatch.

My different aspects say: "This is a best seller!; It's my life's masterpiece; it's my gift to the future; it's fun and inspiring; it's my valentine. 

2. Self-inquiry: I'm cowed because it's such a big project to take on this late in my life, and I have such limited time. I'm afraid I'm leaving out important stuff and putting in trivialities, or misinformation. I'm afraid the whole thing is just too much for anyone to take seriously.

When I read through my introduction it still tickles me; it still sparkles. If I judge it by the values of simplicity- it needs to be slimmed down; and equality - it might be missing kid / family openings.

And when I think of it poetically, it needs more imagery and story-telling, and cohesive illustrations and photos.

3. Next steps:

Awareness: Plan daily book awareness entry points, such as a time to read through what I've recently written, and a better list of next topics of study.

Healing: Clearness process? Comments journal; edit it down a bit.

Natural Living: Winter kid projects for storytelling

Advocacy: Write book statement to post with my sample, to advocate for my idea. 

Creative Force: Start new seasonal collages for illustrations? 

Helping others: Start a blog with draft sections

Hope: Draw a better cover picture and new title

 

4. Pre-K school plans:

Today I will choose next themes, brainstorm projects, and define the nature and skills goals; on the weekend I will gather books and supplies (and take time to stash away the last projects and supplies); and I will do all the prep and making samples on Monday.

Next week's theme is Hearts: Ideas- Cut hearts, draw hearts, write love.

5. Projects for the week:

Each week on Thursday I plan the projects I will work on in the next week - one or two kid projects, and one or two Unicorn projects (those that feed ME). This next week I will:

Th: Begin my rainbow door arch and cut paper snowflakes

F: Start a spring appliqué + rainbow painting

S: Sew a spring appliqué

Sun: Begin to make valentines for family and friends

M: Start a sign for superfund

T: Read valentine books; cut hearts

W: Make valentines

Doing the smallest thing is a great way to make courageous creative work less frightening; also finding the "minimum effective dose", the amount of work that keeps me challenged and joyful, and if I keep at it will get me to the finish line on time. 

Today I will list specific goals for each day's creative projects, put them on my calendar, also itemize the supplies and preparation steps.