"Conditions for creativity are to be puzzled; to concentrate;
to accept conflict and tension; to be born everyday;
to feel a sense of self."
Erich Fromm
Pursuing your passion can draw the best of your creativity from you. Being creative lends greater meaning to your life. Others will benefit from your creativity.
Sir Ken Robinson gives here an inspiring and entertaining TED talk about creativity in education. His website is one of the most fun I have ever visited.
"Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil
are located in the same individual."
Arthur Koestler
In response to my post last week 3 Tips To Awaken Your Life's Passion I received the following:
"I am pursuing my passion and have run into lots of hardships. However I am determined and often times I find myself visualizing success before it has happened just as you described in the article. If possible-- since I am dealing with this right now - write something on recovering from setbacks and dealing with adversity when you have decided not to give up no matter what. I know that may sound kind of off the wall, but I find myself trying to secure little wins to keep going. and love to hear and read about how others overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles."
Here are 5 ways to recover from setbacks and deal with adversity. You have probably heard many times the story about Edison inventing the light bulb. History relates that it took over 1,000 (some say more) attempts at light bulb before he achieved his goal. How did he keep going? Thankfully, he did.
1. Bless The Block
Accept the setback. Do not let yourself be cast down by it. It may be just what you need to take a vital next step in a direction you would not otherwise have taken. Look for the good in whatever does not seem to be going your way. Adversity can prove to be a blessing in disguise, if you choose to see it that way.
These two sayings help me keep a winning frame of mind:
Every knock's a boost and
Everything that comes to me is for me.
2. Re-energize Yourself
Do not be tempted to let your energy drop so that you become despondent. Stand up tall. Take a few deep breathes to connect you with your spirit. Smile. Have a break and do something different - give yourself a treat. Speak kind words of encouragement to yourself, as a loving parent would to their adored child. Play at something, just for the fun of it.
Drink plenty of water. It helps to clear negative emotion. Go for a brisk gratitude walk, recalling all the things you now appreciate in your life, especially the "small" things you often take for granted. Swim, even jump up and down on the spot. It may seem silly - and make you laugh. Laughter is great for getting things back in perspective.
3. Refocus On Your Passion
Connect with what your passion means for you. Feel it, see it, hear it. Immerse yourself in the beauty and magnificence of your purpose. Set aside considerations and touch into your heart, the source of your vision. Do you have images around you that help you to hold your purpose? Do you have a photo of yourself central to the images?
Remind yourself: What is calling you to express your passion? How is it a valuable contribution - to yourself, to others? Why is this vision important to you?
4. Get Support
Few great objectives have been achieved in isolation, as anyone who has watched an Oscar night will verify. Ask others for help when you need it. Be open and willing to receive assistance when it is offered to you. You may gather a team around you who enjoy participating and contributing to your efforts.
Find one or more "witnesses". A good witness is primarily a listener who shares a positive focus with you. I have several wonderful witnesses, dear friends who listen with great empathy, both when I meet a setback, but also when I have a win. It is so good to share your wins! It seems to make them bigger somehow - and that keeps me going.
5. Access Your Spirit
Saying "Help" can be the most profound prayer. Many times, I have found amazing things happening having called for help from my depths. Your creative centre is the source of what I call divine guidance. Prayer I have found to be a way of making the connection between my earthly, child-like nature and my higher spiritual self. Well chosen affirmations are a form of prayer that condition you and help move you in the direction of your passion.
Forgive yourself for the mistakes you think you have made. They may turn out to be not so wrong. I know that the spirit you are is magnificent beyond understanding. I hope that you may come to realize something of this for yourself. Begin by loving yourself, just as you are.
"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly."
Buckminster Fuller
Have you ever overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in pursuing your purpose and passion? I would love to hear about them. As the writer above suggested, sharing our stories can give great hope and encouragement to others.
I would love to hear more about you, what you love to do that brings greater meaning into your life. If I can assist you, I would be very happy to do so. Please feel free to leave a comment below or contact me at clearresults@mac.com
Follow Anne Naylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Anne4Joy
What inspires me is:
It's not how many times you fall that matters it's how many times you pick yourself up and take the next step forward.
Enjoy the mystery,
Ed
What a great comment - how many times you pick yourself up and take the next step forward.
There are weeks when I think I do not have anything more to say for HP. Which is about the time the next theme comes winging its way in. Funny how that happens.
How wise you are,
how wise you be.
The mystery is all,
until we know and we see.
I so appreciate your presence here!
Blessings to you,
Anne
Love your posts. I agree with you here - many good points to overcome obstacles and pursue goals. Like you mention, it is important to re-energize and seek support. I've also found it helpful to have the motto 'just do it', often breaking down goals into very small steps and just going for it regardless of intrusive negative thoughts!
See you soon,
Sheri
Counselling London
http://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-london.htm
Great to see you here! I am very happy you like my posts.
"Just do it" is really good. It is amazing how taking the next step has a way of taking you much further.
I have just been out snorkelling with a friend in not too hot water. Very energizing! No room for a negative thought.
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Anne
Our creative life is made up of concentric circles of community- 3 is the most intimate could be spouse or other person one can work on projects with, then there is a circle of 12 that are resource but not as close then there is the circle of 120 which can be casual aquaintance that can lead one in the right direction (contacts etc).
Anyhow as a Painter/Visual Artist I had a period of block and it was an incredible challenge to overcome. The lesson for me was to keep life simple and to keep working no matter how good or bad I feel...I came across a letter Sol Le Witt wrote Eva Hesse when she was trying to find her voice...it is funny ,crude and lengthy but I still read it to keep the truths in mind: stop making your work only if you will be happier not doing it (most artists are not happier not doing), so then do it and don't be afraid to make bad work, lots of it- all we are responsible for is doing the work. That's it.
Good to see you and thank you for your comment. I love the inspirational letter you described. It gives me the sense that the artist when working goes beyond good or bad. At the end of the day, who are we to judge? And what you say about, what is to me, the wisdom in simplicity.
I appreciate very much your voice.
Blessings to you,
Anne
Isn't it amazing that the simplest of things are the keys to overcoming obstacles? Those are often the very things we neglect, deny or forget about when we are consumed by stress and strain.
You always seem to have a gentle and positive way of addressing these issues that "goes down easy."
what a gift that is!
I know when I am facing major challenges, taking time out to find support, get grounded and have remember to drink water - is often the last on the list.
Yet, when I decided to leave an unhappy marriage, pregnant with a toddler in tow, no money and no family nearby, I acted on sheer faith. I trusted that inner voice that was screaming, "It will be OK- just do it." And, one miracle after another fell into my lap. I followed the "synchronicities" as my guide i was on the right path. when I get that tingle on my arms, and lurch in my stomach, I know it is a sign.
Thanks Anne!
Kari
Thank you very much for your comment. I understand what you mean about "the simplest of things". No matter where we stand in life, I think we all have some of the same basic needs. And meeting those needs makes a big difference, especially in times of crisis.
I appreciate your story of survival with faith. What a blessing to have those signals in your body to guide you. There are times I feel we have so many more resources available to us than we ever imagine.
More thanks to you for your presence here!
With love,
Anne
now THESE were setbacks (oh...now I face real layoff..and am uninsurable)...
I don't like being a downer..but truly..you couldn't write a lifetime move that would be believeable about the last 4+ years of my life... lots of water..while good...someone...not enough...
Thank you very much for your comment. You must have a remarkable spirit to be even able to write it. I hope that your 4+ years take a turn for the better soon.
In the meantime, may you be blessed with great strength to take you forward.
With love to you,
Anne
Many, many, (did I say 'many') thanks for your wonderful post. The video of Robinson is marvelous. In fact, you have a tapestry, here, that is rich, rich, rich with lots to savor.
Your subject, and inquiry, prompted by your reader, is probably one of the most central to my heart. As I've written a great deal about the subject, including a ten year research project published by Inner City (World Weary Woman: Her Wound and Transformation), I'll just be brief here. When my son was killed 18 years ago, of course, such an unexpected loss felt deeper than obstacle, and more like quicksand. It is so easy to go under. But, as Dr. Jung said, 'when you are falling, it's best to jump.' Meaning, if you are 'going down for the count,' it is a good idea to face it squarely, consciously, and then make a leap of faith into the adversity, and discover what can be learned. The creative process has always been my pet transformational toolbox, both in my own Dark Nights, like the above, and in working with others. Truly, it has saved me. Part of what I've learned is that its the darkness that precedes the gold, the unspeakable Light, the impeccable guidance, and restores the sense of humor, as well as the gratitude for companions on the journey.
Love to you and yours,
Cara
Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment and thoughtful responses.
I really appreciate your writing about the loss of your son and your process of recovery. I love what you say about the darkness that precedes the gold, the unspeakable Light, the impeccable guidance, and restores the sense of humour, as well as the gratitude for companions on the journey.
To me, you are putting flesh on the bones of how creativity can have such a highly valuable impact on our life experience. When we are at school, we have no idea about what the future may be holding for us. Rightly so, we are not afraid for the future. But that we may be able to creatively
address ourselves to the deepest challenges and find the gold in them, well then we have been truly well educated - in my view.
With best love and gratitude to and for you,
Anne
What an amazing video! I was spellbound by the ideas presented by Sir Ken Robinson. Can't wait to visit his website. Thank you so much for bringing this to us!
The question posed by your reader is one I hear all the time from clients: How does one keep going in the face of setbacks? You've given some very important coaching, each one of your ideas is spot on. I find what you call, "blessing the block" to be a critical.
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, instead of thinking of cancer as the enemy, I immediately named it Bella Coventina, (B.C.), Coventina being the Celtic goddess of purification. This allowed me to embrace it as an energy that came to purify me. And it has! I've renewed my commitment to the lifestyle choices that support health. So Bella Coventina became my ever-present companion who was guiding me towards health. A total re-frame from cancer being the foe to be vanquished to cancer being my teacher.
Thinking in creative ways (outside the box) helps get us unstuck when conventional thinking keeps us recycling the same behaviors over and over again.
Really enjoyed this post!
Blessings,
Judith
Thank you very much for sharing your story with Bella Coventina. It is so inspiring to me how you have brought together healing and teaching in such a remarkable way. I had often thought of healing and teaching being two sides of the same coin. But to bring that possibility into your experience is touching and impressive to me.
As you say: Thinking in creative ways (outside the box) is what makes sense to me - and that we may be educated, or educate ourselves in this way, leads us to more of the blessings potentially inherent in our lives.
You are a tremendous blessing.
With love and appreciation,
Anne
Light and love,
Jason
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
As far as 'blessing the block' is concerned, Vincent van Gogh had this to say:
'How does one get through this wall, for it is useless to hit it hard, it has to be undermined and penetrated with a file, slowly and with patience, as I see it.'
The childlike serenity of this also shines through the Picasso quote from the TED-talk: 'we are all born artists, the challenge is to remain so.'
Now, it would probably be an exaggeration to claim that we - as a culture - can paint our way out of our problems. But the core of these bonmots certainly applies to the creative process as a whole. And as Sir Ken Robinson says, we may well have to head-on face the fact that our rigidity in our educational habits and standards may be no more than our anxiety about facing the real challenges - which can be addressed only by equipping the coming generations with a set of tools which work.
Thank you so much for stopping by to re-fuel. I was having difficulty choosing a title for this post and re-fuel was one I thought of! I very much appreciate your thoughts.
Although we can't actually paint our way out of our problems - wouldn't it be amazing if we could?- we can become creatively resourceful in how we approach them. It seems to me to be such an important time that the coming generations are educated for the evolving world in which we now live.
Again, thank you for your presence.
Blessings to you,
Anne