Category Archives: Creativity Burst

Creativity Burst: Backyard Photography

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Backyard Photography Humingbird
Are you a budding photographer?

Backyard Photography? Say what?

These days, while we all are sheltering in place, provides a time to take our interests and elevate them. How to do this when our world, that is our supposed oyster, is within the confines of our home and yard can be a challenge — until you give it a little more thought.

If you like to take photos on your trips – even with only your phone – this is a time to dig in and get creative with your photography skills at home. Luckily this time is happening during spring when everything is coming into full bloom. The flowers are blooming, the leaves on the trees are bursting forth, the birds are at their feeders, the bunnies are hopping, and more.

A simple walk around your neighborhood will bring this all alive for you, but so too will a walk around your own yard. Don’t forget your camera when you head out the next time to take it in. Here is where a creative challenge can arise for you that may help you look at the world in a way that you really see the season in action.

Head out to your bird feeder and wait for the birds and then try to capture them eating or drinking the nectar. See a bunny in someone’s yard – or your own- can you focus on his cotton tail and capture it? How about the blossoms – can you get up close and pick up the texture of the petals via your photography skills? Even an amateur can take time right now to try a new angle, a new lens, a new way of taking a photo – this experimentation can lead to a burst forth of creative energy.

Even better? Involve the entire family and encourage them to take photos on your walks and around your home. Then, afterwards, review the photos together to see how people saw their subjects and why they decided to capture the flower, bunny, or bird in the way they did. Even better? Print off your photos and create a collage of them as a memory to hold on to — how you and your family saw the world during this unique time.

I am not a professional photographer by any means, but when I travel, I love to capture the scenes I take in as I go along. This is a reminder that we can capture them at home as well. There is magic and life happening where we call home. Opening our minds and grabbing our cameras are the two keys we need for this creative exercise.

Creativity Burst: Dyeing Easter Eggs

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Dyeing Eggs
A Spring Tradition

Happy Spring. For many people, this is Easter week in the Christian church. It feels a little strange this year given most are unable to gather for worship services or a big Easter Brunch. I had plans to celebrate, but the holiday and the week will be far less grand as I continue — like you – to “shelter in place.”

However, we can still keep some of our traditions that are creative, colorful, and fun. For me, this has to be dyeing Easter eggs for the holiday. Whether as a child or an adult, I always look forward to the PAAS Kit that gives you the little tablets that get all fizzy in vinegar, the clear crayon to write names on the eggs, and stickers and other fun decorative elements for the eggs. As an adult, dyeing Easter eggs takes me back to my childhood and fun, simple, family memories that I appreciate keeping alive for myself all these many years later.

Of course, there are many ways to dye Easter eggs that have nothing to do with PAAS. I remember the year that I lived in Australia and went to the grocery store at Easter time to find my PAAS kit. After scouring the store for what seemed like forever, I ended up asking a store manager where the kit was. He looked at me like I had lost my mind. I was in complete disbelief to learn he had never even heard of the PAAS kit. Now, Australia celebrates Easter in a big way, how could they not dye eggs there? “Oh,” he answered, “you want to color your eggs? Check out the food coloring in aisle 8!” That’s right coloring eggs is old school there.

So, I know there are many ways to dye Easter eggs that are much more natural and innovative. In fact, here are ideas for how to make your colors naturally. During these times, when we have a lot more time on our hands, it may be the year to go natural.

For me, I do find this project to be a creative one. To take regular eggs, hardboil them, and color them using a commercial product like PAAS or natural vegetables to make your own dyes, this is a wonderful project to welcome in spring and do something fun to celebrate the season.

Of course, the next thing to do is to hide the eggs and hunt for them. Always fun for the kids, but even adults may have fun hiding and go seeking eggs this year. If this hunt is for adults, make sure to be creative with your hiding places.

Sometimes creativity is sparked by going “old school” and doing something that you did when you were much younger to reconnect with that earlier time in life that was full of simple pleasures. This would be a great week to dye some eggs, hide some eggs, and get in touch with your inner child and how she wants a spark of creativity in her world.

Creativity Burst: Tune Translation for the Times

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Girl listens to tunes to translate for the times

What can get all of us through a particularly stressful time? Listening to favorite music seems to be a way to not only relax, but also take our minds to other times and places that are pleasurable. I am amazed when a song comes on that was popular back when I was 14 and I can remember a specific memory from that time as though it was a moment ago, Music transports us, uplifts us, and can cause a happy affect.

Now, how to use music during a time like this? I tried something this past week that really not only got me thinking about my favorite songs, but how to spoof them to fit the times. I made a series of very brief video clips with me singing a refrain from the song that I changed to meet these pandemic times.

One of the songs I sang to was the catchy tune,”Can’t Touch This.” I danced like a crazy bird and just snag the refrain a few times and then said, “Pandemic, Can’t touch me!” Completely silly and fun. Putting it up on social media took some guts, but I figured others could use some hilarity to their days.

I decided to record a few more. First, I had to think of some favorite tunes that matched the times and have the chance to change a word or two, record it, and post it. My mind really got excited to take on this little project for a few days in a row. It lead me to have a burst of creativity to be sure.

Like,”I’m not leaving on a jet plane, Don’t know when I will go again, Oh, Babe, I wish I could go.”

Ha! The proper translation of this song during these times. I think it would be so fun for people to come up with their song lines that match these times, sing it, record, and post. All of us not only would give ourselves a good laugh, but a burst of creativity too.

Give it a try and “Don’t hand me no lines, and keep your hands to yourself!” (Another creative song adaptation for good measure!)

Creativity Burst: A Four Leaf Clover Walk

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A Four Leaf Clover Walk for St. Patrick's Day
May the Luck O’ the Irish Be With You

May the luck o’ the Irish be with you today! Celebrate with a Four Leaf Clover Walk.

Even if you aren’t Irish, this is the one day that we all feel a little Irish as we celebrate the day together. Traditionally, I think of this day as one where people gather in pubs for a green beer, kids eat green cupcakes, gold chocolate coins jingle in pockets, and we lookout for little leprechauns of luck. OK, maybe that last one is only in our dreams. Yet, it is a day to remember the Irish and to bring a little luck into one’s life.

Today’s holiday is a bit different given we are asked to not gather together. No school, no work, no meeting at the pub — however, we are encouraged to get out into nature, as long as we keep our distance from one another. In that light, today is a perfect day for a four leaf clover walk.

It takes us out into nature. If you have children at home, what better way to spend part of the school day with them today? Bundle up and head to a park. When you arrive, give them the guideline that you are the hunt for four leaf clovers. If they have not seen them before, show them a few examples on line before you head out.

Now, these are not always the easiest to find. So, expand the hunt and let them find any items in nature that look like a four leaf clover, are just green, or any other item that remind them of Ireland. Afterwards, when you gather together, it will be a great opportunity to share what was found and why they picked up the items they chose. It is an opportunity to get creative and use one’s imagination in nature using this lucky Irish day as inspiration.

When you arrive home, pull out heavy card stock, glue, and any other art supplies you may have on hand and let your children create a lucky collage for the day. Not only will you have gotten out on an excursion for the day, but also had a chance to be creative on this special day.

Even without kids, take your own lucky break in nature and let your mind wander as to what reminds you of the Irish on this day. Pick up a few things and place them on your desk – or anywhere else in your home – to remind you of the beauty of nature and your own imagination to connect a holiday to the natural world.

It’s a lucky day! Get out into nature and find some four leaf clovers today!

Creativity Burst: Fluff Your Pillows

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Woman fluffs the pillows

Creativity via fluffing your pillows? Say, what?

Here’s the thing about pillows.. Have you ever gotten out of bed, made your bed, thrown your pillows on the bed, and noticed how they sag and collapse, especially after sleeping on them for a few days in a row? Nothing like a sad sack pillow.

Here is an easy, fun tip to begin your day that may make it burst with some creative energy: fluff your pillows.

That’s right – just grab your pillows and “fluff them up.” Not only will you notice a lift in your pillows, but perhaps your mood too? You can punch them up, you can gently fold them up, you can throw them on the bed a few times — whatever you do — as your pillows fill up, your energy may move into a higher gear than you were starting out at in the wee hours of the morning.

I wonder if the simple act of fluffing a pillow will “fluff” your days in other ways? Perhaps you will be inspired to elevate how you see a stranger and pay the person a compliment. Perhaps you try a new dish for dinner to elevate your weekday meal? Perhaps you realize your pillows are past fluffing and decide to buy some new ones for comfort. The mere act of fluffing something may inspire you to fluff your life in some way.

If you want a list of ways to revive your old pillows, find it here. Revitalizing something flat like a pillow can also revitalize a part of you on any given day. It costs nothing, takes a few moments, and not only will your bed look better, but you may as well.

In this way, a fluff here could lead to a burst of creativity elsewhere. Fluff away!

Creativity Burst: Art Mobiles

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An art mobile hangs and moves in the wind

Are you drawn to art that may not be traditional? If so, you may want to think about hanging up an art mobile – one that you have bought or made yourself. Given I am not very artsy, I wonder how an art mobile would turn out if I actually tried to make one. I am so fascinated with art mobiles, I may just give it a shot.

There is something about delicate pieces of paper, fabric, or other materials (mix and matched even) hanging off of the ceiling, perhaps twirling, perhaps shining (depending on the material) that not only captures my attention, but also gives me a moment to pause and appreciate how something simple and delicate can capture my mind for a little bit of time.

A little bit of time that may refresh me, have me think of something new, help me see the light of the day through a different filter. If there is an art mobile around, I always remind myself to look up and appreciate it hanging there. To better appreciate and see the space I am in in this present moment.

If I were to create an art mobile, it could be as simple as gathering paper, crayons or colored pencils, scissors, string, and a piece of wire to suspend my creative, colorful pieces of paper from. If you were to add a hook to your ceiling, you would have an interesting art piece made by you. Children love little art projects like this, but adults can also enjoy creating an art mobile for themselves too.

Art mobiles provide an outlet to take one’s mind away from whatever is going on and take in the world in a new way. I may just try making one this spring. Butterflies come to mind — along with the bees, of course.

Creativity Burst: Cloudscapes

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Look Up! What do you see?

I had the chance a few weeks ago to look up at the sky for a little chunk of time. The sky looked a lot like the picture in this post. Bright blue sky with puffy, large cotton balls floating by me. I love to sit and look at these types of clouds. A few moments in, I will let my mind go hazy — sort of on, but not completely — and then see what I can see.

What do I see? Ah! All sorts of shapes that look like images of animals, cartoon characters, or any other thing that sort of floats up into my mind. I am amazed at how many faces I find — and mostly happy, although I sometimes run into a frown or two. I think what we see in clouds often reflects how we are feeling.

Taking in cloudscapes and playing an imagery game with yourself is one way to access how you are feeling. It also allows one’s mind to turn off the logical, always on, processing mind and move toward the artistic, creative, imaginative side of the mind.

What if you don’t see anything at all? Perhaps your mind is still too turned on? Letting your mind go soft and hazy seems to be an essential element to finding what may at first appear hidden. Oh my, once you start seeing images, get ready! Every cloud that wanders by is going to show you something new.

Looking up at the clouds often fuels my creative side. I can let my mind wander and become inspired by what nature is serving up to me and I can do it for as little or as long a time as I am interested. It costs nothing and can really put you in touch with a part of yourself that is often silenced as we act and think out of our fast-paced, logical mind.

My suggestion? Look up, let your mind go hazy, and see what creative shapes, images, and more you find today.

Creativity Burst: A Homemade Valentine

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It’s a week for showing people whom you love that you indeed love them. There are many ways to show someone you love her. The stores are chock full of cards, chocolates, lace, and more pink and red goods than you could ever imagine. It’s fun to stroll around and take in what has become an overly commercialized holiday.

For me, it’s inspiring to become creative and go old school. Do you remember being in elementary school and making a bright box to receive all of the Valentines from your friends at school? I believe the school rule was everyone in a class had to give a Valentine to everyone else. It was a holiday that was designed to include everyone.

You may be making a similar box for your children’s celebration, as well as picking out and/or creating Valentine cards for your kids’ friends. However, I suggest you pause right there and think about your own partner and friends and become curious with the idea of how they would feel to receive a Valentine from you?

My guess is — thrilled! When was the last time you received something handmade — let alone a Valentine? Yes, you can buy a box of cards, write a kind note, and send them off. Even using a readymade card can lead to feeling creative. Putting heartfelt words to paper, addressing the envelopes, stamping the cards, and mailing them off is certainly old school. It’s a delightful tradition.

Even more creative? Cutting out a paper heart and sending it in the mail or hand-delivering it to your partner and/or nearby friends. A hand-delivered Valentine that you cut out yourself? My word, the creativity is bursting forth.

We always think that simple correspondence projects like this would land flat, but the opposite is true. Most people never even expect a card like this in the mail — talk about putting a spring in someone’s step. I wonder how that person’s day may change and how she will move forward in her day?

Second, for you, working with paper and scissors can reignite pleasurable, old time memories that can allow one to embody one’s creativity and share the gift with one’s partner, family, and friends. It’s simple really. Add it on to the time you are spending helping your kids do their own Valentines or just take a little time, pull out some paper and scissors and a bright colored pen, and create!

Now is the time to show love!

Creativity Burst: Compliments

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Yes you are all of those things and more. Let me be the first person to shower you with compliments today. It’s good for me and my spirit to do so — I definitely feel a burst of creativity when I see someone in his best light and share that thought with him.

For me, as people walk by me on any given day, I notice them. Do you? I see some amazing color they are wearing or their sweet dog they are walking or how good their hair looks and on and on. Even though these people are complete strangers to me, I share my thought with them, giving them a compliment.

I figure no matter what is going on in their day, hearing someone appreciate some part of them can only do good by that person and really all of humanity. How could one compliment get so big? Well, when that person feels good, he may pull his head up and notice someone else, extend a complement and the chain continues on. All of a sudden, you have a bunch of people – random strangers – connected to one another by appreciation and goodness.

And it does lead to creativity. Perhaps it is difficult to find something good about others who you see walking by. Perhaps there is a critical voice inside that thinks everyone walking by looks like an idiot, as an example. Well, then, noticing that this is how you view the other is a great moment to get creative and find something you like. That’s right, find something. Perhaps it’s too much to tell the other person, but finding something good creatively in the other person is a start.

For those of us whom it comes naturally to give away compliments, take that energy and give some compliments to yourself. Another problem we sometimes have is noticing the good in everyone else and actively calling it out to others, but then denying ourselves those kind thoughts from ourselves to ourselves. It is a wonderfully creative idea to think about what you are wearing or how you are feeling and give yourself the compliment. This may also not be easy, but it’s another way to cultivate creativity within.

Now, who will I compliment next?

Creativity Burst: Laughter

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I Love to Laugh!

A few years ago I was walking through my local park and I noticed a small group gathered in a circle. The people were all standing close to one another and they were — of all things – laughing. All sorts of laughter was happening actually. I didn’t want to stop and stare at this circle of laughter, but, as I kept walking, I would hear their roars of laughter and I — all of a sudden – felt clear headed with a spring in my step.

How can it be? Well, come to find out there is a whole science around Laughter Yoga. As you can tell, if you happened to follow that link, laughter can be pretty prescribed. Who is there? How far do people stand apart from one another? What types of laughter? How to open and close the session of laughter? I suppose it is like any yoga practice — even laughter takes discipline.

How about laughter for laughter’s sake? Plain old simple laughing aloud when the spirit moves you.

Now this can’t always be possible, but it is amazing how often laughing can be employed with it adding something positive to the interaction rather than taking away from it. One of the most common engagements like this would be an argument. Imagine! You are right there in the heat of the argument and the other party laughs. Now, one can think to himself, “Is this person mocking me or not taking me seriously?” and the laughing gets a bad rap. How about the other person simply wanted to break the tension?

Laughter, whether experienced on one’s own, in community, or only with one other, changes the dynamic of how we feel and how we are interacting. It is a reminder to not take anything that seriously, as well as a way to connect to many who may be vastly different from you.

Have you ever laughed and someone replied, “What? Do you think that’s funny?” And the person is fuming mad. What to do? Perhaps laugh some more.

Laughter is a way to creatively let off steam, break up a harsh argument, join someone in their feelings, or simply look at the sunny side of life. Full bodied laughter often involves movement, which then spurs creativity. We find ourselves laughing with others or on our own.

Feeling sluggish? Laugh! Go to your favorite funny YouTube video, play it, and laugh. Join in a laughing yoga session if you can. Beak up seriousness with a laugh. Find creative ways to interject laughter into your daily life and watch your creativity unfold.