Inspiring Creativity

It has been hard to get myself into the studio lately. While I have made a few forays, looking over potential projects, I haven't spent much time there. In some ways, I have been experiencing creative burnout. Alisa Burke has a helpful post about the issue: Coping with Creative Burnout. Some of the things I have been doing correspond to actions she discusses, like focusing on something different and having fun.

I have been spending a lot of time with family, as well as researching and writing the book I've been working on. Trips out to local nature areas are sure to provide inspiration for future work, too. Fall has certainly arrived and is making its mark on the foliage, albeit slowly. 

Another way to look at things came up just yesterday and today with two references to the "which dog are you feeding?" story. The first was in the new movie, Tomorrowland, which we watched last night. The second is in Roz Stendahl's blog post: Which Dog Are You Feeding? While the movie uses the story to attempt to redirect our attitudes towards making changes for the health of the planet, Roz uses it as a tool for achieving artistic goals. In both cases, of course, the story is about looking at things in a positive light. Roz's idea was a revelation, however, and something I will need to think more about. Inspiration, it would seem, is coming from unexpected areas.

I'm off to think, enjoy life, and see what's next. Until next time, I wish you peace and all good things.

(Note: I provide links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply affiliation by me with any site.)

Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis

Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. As a lay Franciscan, I take the idea of living simply very seriously. I believe that we need to "live simply that others may simply live." I also believe that living lightly on the earth is one of the best ways to ensure that my grandchildren will continue to enjoy a world in which there is astounding wildlife and spectacular wild spaces. It is my hope that more people will attempt to do so and we reach a point where all people have freedom from want; from fear; and from pollution.

What does living simply look like? One view is articulated at A Franciscan view of living simply. It can be as simple as making changes in how one makes purchases or as encompassing as a complete change in lifestyle. For example, the Global Catholic Climate Movement - Feast of St. Francis presents some ways to have an impact on the climate. Many people are making the choice to reduce the size of their dwellings, as evidenced by the Tiny House movement, which I talked about in Thinking of Space.

I hope you will consider what you might do to live more simply.

Until next time, I wish you peace.