Japanese Garden, Portland, OR
Recently I saw a list of qualities, the title of which was, Personality Qualities Which Cannot Be Tested. The list was credited as coming from the work of Maria Montessori, who was best known for her philosophy of education and her writing on scientific pedagogy. While perusing the list, I began to wonder how I would be affected if I chose to honor each of the qualities, contemplating them, writing about them, and livng them consciously over a period of weeks. It is certainly not a scientific study, but is simply an act of developing consciousness, a whole new level of awareness, of how I personally embody these qualities.
This week I have been exploring creativity, and my relationship to it. Being that I am a singer and have lived my life as a creative person, it is no surprise that I yearn for and am happiest when I can be in a creative space. Part of this week I have been alert to and searching for a deeper meaning of what it means to live daily in this creative space. For instance, can I problem solve creatively; can I react to life keeping creativity in mind? As a result, I have noticed an expansion of my physical and mental being as I use my daily pausing-breathing-meditation to be alert to creativity that exists in each moment. I can feel this simple process lift my spirit and make me smile.
The most stunning experience of creativity occurred this afternoon when I was priviledged to hear the poet laureate of Oregon, Paulann Petersen, speak. I was mesmerised as she read her poetry and spoke to us about her experience of being poet laureate for 4 years. I could barely eat my lunch as I listened to her. Talk about a creative space! I could not have asked for a more creative experience in that moment on this beautiful day. How fitting it seemed to have this mountain-top experience on a week in which I have been consciously noticing that which is creative about me. It was like dessert, the best prize of all. I found myself totally living in the pause, as if time had stopped for those moments with the musical rhythm of words. She seemed to caress each word that was spoken; each word was a jewel to be savored.
Try putting moments of creativity and expansion into your day. Expect to find the beauty of each moment. Feel your heart and soul soar in the act of pausing, breathing, and noticing the creativity that exists and surrounds you. Allow the space for creativity to enter and light up your world. You never know what surprises await!