Repost: Be true to yourself

Repost:

The last couple of months were the most exciting but also hurtful time I had in a very long time. Although silent in the sense that I wrote nothing, my life had undergone twists and turns; each opportunity a learning curve where I discovered so much of myself as a person.

Walking this path alone, I realized my vulnerability and how people could use me, sometimes even with my permission. For a long time I lived in a very safe cocoon allowing others to think for me but since I made the bold step to stand on my own, taking responsibility for myself, I realized that my understanding of life was very much shaped by my circumstances, and the people or culture I lived in. In short, I wasn’t street smart, and I had to learn how to fit in or be devoured.

Because of the safe haven, I perceived people in black and white with little or no grace towards them. Now those unyielding glasses had been removed and my awareness of life became more colourful; making room not only for my own mistakes but for those for those I’ve met. Life isn’t rigid or set in stone but a kaleidoscope of laughter and passion, where I discover new opportunities at every corner—venturing out in the unknown to find incredible prospects and beautiful things along the way. I’m amazed at my boldness walking into places I would not have dreamed to do previously and in the process made friends: my pioneer spirit reveling in the new person emerging from the cocoon.

In my vulnerability, I learned to trust my gut; I made mistakes when I disobeyed that little voice, who diligently watch over me. While doing this, I learned to have fun laughing more than I did in a long time. I learned that it’s okay to mess up—no longer do I chastise myself in doing so—and ate some humble pie, but it taught me valuable skills that served me in my daily life and work environment. I work with people every day and I experience the good, the bad and the ugly all in one week. As human beings, we have different perceptions, but when finely tuned in—making the effort—the ugly turns out beautiful, the bad good and the good sometimes bad. Life is a fine balance between them all.

My love life has its own challenges. When two people meet, two worlds have to come together effortlessly (in my mind). To adjust myself and find meaning and what I really want from life, incorporating another human being into it without forgetting who I am, is a mission. For now, being part of someone’s life has taken a back seat.

In a second chance relationship, more work goes into it but it took a broken relationship to grasp the full extend of it. When we met, I thought this is it, the man I will spend my old age with and I prepared myself to fit in his life but after a while I realized it would take time, effort and if both parties doesn’t work at it every attempt would be fruitless. When it ended, it left me purposeless and empty and I knew I would obliterate myself. I feel the emptiness settling in me, wondering if I would ever allow myself to love again. Although saddened, I realize I need this time to get to terms with it all and discover my purpose.

I never appreciated my passionate side, hiding it from everyone including myself, but on this new journey I got to discern the intensity which I feel with and know not everyone would appreciate it. Although I embrace my passionate side, it makes me vulnerable to life and relationships. Creating its own challenges. I’ve learned more about myself letting go of old or even wrong thought patterns, finding the balance and adapt in a way so that I won’t get lost again.

Another learning curve.

With all this said, I simply want to leave you with the thought: Don’t be afraid to live, to dream, to love and yes, even to make mistakes.

To be true to ourselves takes determination and courage and sometimes you would be lonely. Not sure about the choices or even the next step, but looking at the bigger picture, we learn to know our own strengths by discovering a world that would accept us for who we are.

But mostly to accept ourselves.

Be true to you. 

Third Principle of Creativity

 

The third principle: When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator’s creativity within us and it expands to our lives.

In the presence of the Lord, we find answers. Because, in His presence, we open ourselves to God’s impartation. We allow Him to take centre stage and perform the creative miracle we are longing for.

I can honestly say that I have never gone into a fast-moving river, lay on my back, and enjoyed the ride. My analytical-realistic brain stops me at the edge as I watch the water pass.

I grew up next to the Orange River in the Northern Cape. It is an intimidating river that snakes through the Kalahari with a quiet stillness. From a far it is beautiful and inspiring but up close it shows a strength that warns you to step lightly. The riverbanks at some places so steep to keep you away and at other places you can step into the shallow waters as it laps at your feet. Even in the days when we were standing on the sandbanks inside the river, learning to swim, I always approached it with high regard. Its presence left a great impression on my younger soul. It still does.

Currently, it is in flood, its power sending shock waves through the community and awe in the rest of us. Then, it accumulates at the Augrabies Waterfall as a thunderous body of water into a very steep ravine. It is a sight to behold. I was there in 2021 when it was in flood as well. That mighty roar spoke to my spirit-man, and I cried. A mixture of awe, fear, and respect that you cannot explain to another person. The roar to deafening and the presence of God so real that you could feel the tantalizing power right into your bones.

Right at this moment, the thunderous roar of the Augrabies Falls is ten times that and has been closed for public viewing.

Can you imagine, Father God, inviting us into that powerful body of water to reveal His greatness to us? Yes, even His creativity is shown to us as He urges us to relax and ride it out with Him.

With that image in mind, it can be intimidating to approach God’s presence, but God wants us there. A place where we can trust Him. Rely on Him and experience God’s creative power to come to its fullness.

“God, are you for real?” I would ask, then I would see a smile spreading across His beautiful face as He nods. Yes, He is real.

When I was younger, I always accompanied my father and uncles on the small blue boat across the river. It was such an adventure, even though it was scary. But that small boat was sturdy, and the men understood the streams and rowed us safely across to where my grandfather’s farmland was. Today you can access the island by car much easier. Back then, it would take too long to go around reaching the island from the other side. Besides, you would miss the splendour of such a journey. So, we always took the boat, and my uncle’s dog swam next to us. Always reaching the riverbank first.

(My cousin replaced the oars with an engine which made the trip so much quicker.)

I remember the firm hold I had on the sides of that boat as my father and uncles rowed us across that brooding water. The water sliding underneath your fingers as sunrays danced on the surface. Capturing you into silence. The stretch of water so close you can taste its very existence.

For some reason, I always think of that river when I read about the rivers in the Bible. The mesmerising awe it inspires to lie back and enjoy the ride while God does His thing.

This is what I experience when I see point three of the basic principles of creativity. God invites us into the mighty river to show us what He has in store for us. The question is, will we trust Him enough?

Once we do, our creativity flows from our heart to our mind, to our hands and fingers. Our hands and fingers are only the tools God uses, but the creativity itself begins in our spirit. There, God the creator gives us images of what He wants to birth in us. It is only in a place of trusting and relaxing that we truly can experience God’s creativity to work through us.

Your thoughts are always welcome, so add it in the comments.

Let the river flow.

©Lynelle Clark 2022

https://linktr.ee/AuthorLynelle

Are you a Plotter or Pantser in Life?

  

 

“I cannot imagine a sorrier pursuit than struggling for years to write a book that attempts to appeal to people who do not read in the first place.”

Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

Dear friend,

The moral of the quote is simple, live your own life and be your own person.

2023 is already nine days strong. There is no more turning back. It is here to stay for the next 356 days. What you do with it is up to you.

So, draft that story, attend that class you always wanted, read that book, dance your heart out, bake that cake, paint the empty canvas that is gathering dust...

It you think about it, our lives are very much like a pantser’s dream. If you are a writer, you will understand the meaning. For those who aren’t, a Pantser is a writer who writes by the seat of his pants with no real plan in mind. There are times that the plotline is remarkable and at times it frays at the seams. Normally those type of plotlines lose its momentum in the middle and either the writer lose interest and walks away or finds himself stuck at that page for days, months and even years.  

But with a little planning, you can minimize the dreadful middle with a clear understanding of how you will reach the end. The Plotter is the one that does the work before the story begins. He does the research, get the characters in place, knows the topic well before he commence and can write the book in a short amount of time.

Life is like that, we cannot take the year on with no idea what we want to do with the 365 days gifted to us on day one.

Therefore, goals and planning is so important. Yes, things can still go wrong even when you plan everything perfectly. The character you really like becomes ill, a mad dash to the restaurant cause a serious accident, a tree falls on the roof…life happens, and we have no control over it. Things happen but when you have a plan in place then those accidents and obstacles becomes part of the story that gives it greater velocity and makes it endearing and believable.

So, author that book who no one might read. Dance your heart out even if you are alone…do the things you love and stop comparing yourself with others. Make this your year.

I want to leave you with this one question: how will you take this year on: as a Pantser or Plotter?

Book news:

I finished the Writer’s Journal for Beginners and it is available in PDF form in my online store. Ready to download. Writer's Journal for Beginners (authorlynelleclark.blogspot.com)

While there, browse around the store. I have added the digital formats to my books as well.

For those that haven’t seen it, I have podcasted some of my short stories in my native tongue. You can listen to it on Spotify.

Die Legende van Spoorbek (anchor.fm)

Die Genooides (anchor.fm)

Amazon Kindle: Amazon.com: Lynelle Clark and paperbacks.

Sign up for my newsletter to keep up to date.

Contact lynelleclark@gmail.com if you have a question or would like me to be part of any book project.   

I bless you with this song for 2023. Protector by by Kim Walker-Smith, Protector.

May the Lord be with you and bless you in this year. May His face shine upon you and you know without any doubt how much He loves you.

Lynelle  

The KreativPreneurs  Club Facebook group.

Creativity 101: Your spirit

As we dig deeper within, we realize how complex we really are. There is a world within us that is dormant until it the lid has been removed.

Our body is the vessel that carries us from point A to B. We must maintain this vessel to the best of our knowledge to live a long and healthy life.

Our mind is the element that gives us personality. It helps us to cope, to be strong, to learn, and to excel. It is from this place we love, hate, get angry, are selfish, are jealous… etc. Each of these attributes opens our mind to other things which can either bind us or help us move forward. Our mind can also block us because of our experiences, our culture, and connections. It can falter our core beliefs and limit us to where we can’t see past our troubles. Our mind is susceptible and if we do not guard our mind, we will become fearful, reckless, or even dangerous to the people around us.

But we have a build-in radar that can help us cope and stay on course. But we must unlock it first. Take note: we must do it. God will not flick a magical wand above our heads and do it for us. No, we must unlock it by submitting our entire being to Him. The more we open, the greater the connection and fresher the anointing.

We are all born with a spirit. The spirit needs to be nurtured, taught, and strengthened with a greater power than ourselves. It must learn how to listen, talk, walk, and do. As a Christian, we have a manual that helps us to stay on course. It is called the Bible. Everything within that book is there to teach us. It teaches us the fundamentals of life and how to stay on track. If we listen, we enjoy the fruit of it. If not, we suffer the consequences. We are familiar with that feeling when our prayers don’t pass the ceiling. It is then that we should do introspection and ask the Holy Spirit to show us the reason.

As a Christian, I believe that the Holy Spirit is that Greater Power and once my spirit and God’s Spirit connect, my spirit blossoms. With the connection comes training. I must learn how to pray, read my Bible every day to equip my spirit, do warfare, and sing praises to the Almighty Father. Through obedience and submitting, I become less and He more.

Through this connection, my creativity or talents are triggered and open a better world. If it stays dormant, it will reach for anything else to hold on to. Like a giant octopus, it will latch on and drink but remain hungry. These connections can be fatal or lead you on the wrong path. Others can bring enlightenment, but I believe it is only through the Holy Spirit that we truly can be free.

Our spirit is a living being that always needs nourishment. Sustenance to feed from and grow. As we grow stronger, we experience the freedom to sing, create, make a joyful noise, and walk in authority on earth. Our mind becomes subject to our spirit because it becomes the controller, teacher, and initiator of our life. Now we don’t act from our hurt or fears, but we act from a place of safety. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.

Our creativity is the incubator with all the potential the Father has for us. If it is blocked, we struggle to create. Words falter, colours remain dark, joy is momentary, faith is dwindling, and hope is neatly packed away. We struggle to find our rhythm; our inner metronome is out of whack, and we feel trapped. This is a dangerous place to be.

Our very DNA is to create, but through the lies we perceive as truth, we believe we can’t do this. We tell ourselves that we are useless or tap into the lie that this is all for nothing. If we believe this, we remain stuck. Once we look it in the eye and deal with it, we become open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

This open connection is vital to our creativity. Without it, we will remain where we are. Clueless, frightened, poor in spirit and in mind, disillusioned, and helpless. But that is not where the Father wants us. If we stay in that place, our vessel stays dormant. We exist but not live.

To bring back the joy and the hope, we must establish that connection and stay connected. In the connection with our Source, we can be free to create. Through creating, we can create a better life. Not only for ourselves, but for every person God leads us to.

 

Day 11 of the 12 Days to Christmas celebration.

Day 11 of the 12 Days to Christmas celebration is almost at an end.

𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱: 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝟲: 𝟮𝟰 -𝟮𝟲.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 [𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶];
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 [𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳],
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 [𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴];
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 (𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦) 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 [𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭]
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 [𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦].

Amen

Here is a reminder of what you can download until 31 December 2022.

Linktree

#christmas2022 #twelvedaystochristmas #blessings #festiveseason #GodsBlessing

Creativity 101: Your mind.

 

I wrote to block out my reality.

I wrote to block out all the anger and pain.

I wrote of lost dreams and empty promises all in fiction form to create a happy ending.

I wrote 22 books during that time.

Our mind is a powerful tool.

A tool that can propel us forward or set us in park mode for a long time. Unless we do something about it.

Our mind is controlled by our experiences, cultural surroundings, and emotions. Even the people we hang out with has an effect. This is the reason we should be wary with who we associate.

Our mind is like a sponge that takes everything in, then compartmentalized them into folders. Some to use now, others to use later. And others to use as our momentum to move or stop.

The more you fill it with good, positive things, the more you will grow. Those things are like vitamins to your body.

To be a whole person, you must guard your heart and mind. To be effective in the world.

No matter the bad that has happened in the past, you can change the bad in the good and the ugly in the best by building and growing.

Once you stop...you die.

Back then, I knew my artistic side needed an outlet which spilled over on paper. I was astonished and flabbergasted at the same time. Even ten years later, I still have the thrill of creating something from the words in my mind.

What do you do to feed your mind?

With what do you feed it?

How can you benefit from investing in the good to excel?

#ReleaseYourCreativity #creativity101

Dream until God gives you the assurance.

A revived post from 2020. 

I am not a person who always says what's on my mind and seldom what's on my heart, but I am prompted to do so today. A revelation that lifted my spirit.

Maybe someone needs to hear it as well.

I start to write in 2010.

I wrote to block out my reality.

I wrote to block out the empty cupboards, the demanding phone calls of creditors. Writing kept me from looking out the window to see the tall grass that could not be cut. My eyes swimming in tears as my children left their safe place because we could not provide in their needs anymore. I felt like a failure, worthless and purposeless.

I wrote to block out all the anger and pain, the rejection we have experienced from church, the lack of support from anyone we thought were our friends at that time. Standing alone in a very harsh world, without support, it is a harsh place to be.

I wrote of lost dreams and empty promises all in fiction form. Because in fiction I can write a happy ending. Though my world had nothing to offer me.

I wrote 22 books during that time. Only five books were published so far. Many of my books started off differently from its conception. But as I grew, the stories grew, changed, and developed where they are now: published and read.

At that stage, there was still a ‘we’ in the equation. After 2014, ‘we’ became I...one. though I took the step to walk away, I was off balance with no understanding or idea of how to move forward. I had no form of financial support, had no income and no earthly possessions.

Then I began to dream. It was a slow process of trusting myself first, then others.

(This was a long process and one I will not talk about now. I want to get to the revelation part.)

At the end of 2019, I was invited to attend an Eksderde camp where Marié Bosman (van den Berg) spoke directly into my life. Infused by God's knowledge, she said, "God has given you a blank page."

At the time, it elevated me, but I didn't understand. I ran with it like a thirsty beggar but still felt unworthy, not sure where I fit in. I was still off-balance, unsure and desperate. And very much in lack.

Was God's promises of yesteryear still effective? Did my current dreams coincide with God's plan for me? How did it all fit? Were some questions I faced.

Then I met Joe van den Berg, and he said, "Your past is the past, you have a new slate. The words you received, the promises you received, they are over. It is time for new ones."

It was like a click within.

It is a clean slate. From this moment forward, all promises and dreams is a new beginning.

The revelation part:

I read the Fourth Dimension from Dr Cho, where he talked about receiving assurances from God for your dream.

And the second click happened.

Back in 2010, I wrote to forget; I wrote about anything. From spiritual stories to erotic and everything in between. It was my saving grace during a difficult time. It blinded me from reality. But it also blinded me to many truths. At the times the lies became bigger, and my sins had a field day.

Since 2019, my writing has changed. My fears and anger do not surface within the pages nor my desires or longings of things not meant. It is more focused now.

My dream is to be a New York best-selling author, to own a book and coffee shop and create a safe environment for all creative beings not only writers. (The reason for the name change.)

To get back to Dr Cho's book and to cut an exceptionally long story short, he said to keep on dreaming and talking about it. For others, it might seem foolish or a pipe dream. Sometimes I feel neglected and even looked over, but He encouraged me to keep on dreaming and planning until God gives me the promise, the red seal, so to speak. God will approve or object, but my work is to continue with it until...

When you step away from a long-time marriage, your world tilts dramatically. In this time, God will allow you to make decisions and even allow you to make mistakes while He keeps you safe... Looking back I can point you to all the times He provided and protected me from myself and others that meant me harm I am still in awe about it.

The best part of this long tale is that when God gives you a new page, he means it. But he also wants to see how serious you are. By giving you a clean slate, He gives you a second chance. We all begin anew at some stage of our lives. All you have to do is keep on dreaming and doing until God gives you the red seal, the assurance.

That dream will propel you forward. It will help you grow and it will help you find your feet again. Just hang in. God is in control.

If you are unsure or off balance because of life's knocking around, push through. Get the dream on paper. See it. Live it until God comes and put a stamp of approval on it. If not, then it still will not be wasted time. Because you have learned new skills. Who knows where it will lead?

Trust God when he says he has given you a new page.

 

Creativity 101: I have a body.

 

Creativity 101: A Holistic look at who I am.

I have a head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, stomach, bum, legs, and feet. Plus, all the other smaller appendages in between. I call it my body.

My body can do amazing things, especially when I am fit. But even if I am not mobile, my body can still be valuable.

With this body, I can exercise, walk, run, pray, meditate, read, bake, swim, ride a bike, lay on the bed, paint, write or whatever I choose to do with it.

It is totally depended on me. That is why I must look after it. My body cannot take food from the fridge unless I don't tell it to do so.

Each one of us has one. No matter the form... it is our body. What I put into it, he gives back to me. Whether good or bad, it returns the favour. Sometimes to our devastation.

Being a holistic person, we are made into a body, with a mind and a spirit. Our body is the vessel we use to our advantage.

The mind and spirit don't have a body. Therefore, it needs a body to move around and put action into our thoughts.

How do you take care of your body today? Do you drink enough water? Eat correctly? Do some exercise with it? I know... we don't always, but try to.

Or maybe you are busy with a painting, or writing. Some part of your body is at work. Right? Even as I type this post, my body is at work. Maybe not all of it, but part of my body is in motion.

The point is, without this body of mine, I cannot do anything I want. I have to take care of it. Make sure it stays healthy. Give it enough rest, do some walking.

My body is essential to my creativity. No matter my choice, my body is needed to put action to it. How great is that?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Previous article: What is a Holistic Platform?

Creativity 101: What is a holistic platform?

Creativity 101

My intent with this blog /group is twofold:

     To bring like-minded people together who have a passion or drive to create and to show it off in a safe environment without ridicule or judgement.
And to help people to get unlocked, unblocked, unsecured, unfastened, and connected with the well of creativity that is within each of us. Whether or not you use it at this stage, you are a creative being with the ability to create.

With each part I will go deeper into it but for now I will give the absolute necessities to understand what it means.

The things we experience within that continue feeling that something is amiss is, in fact, your creativity that is looking for an escape. It is so integrally part of you that you cannot be alive without expressing it through some sort of creativity.

Whether you bake, knit, sing, write, dance, paint… you create.

Within the comments, let me know your thoughts and struggles. Your input is valuable.

For us, to understand what KreativPreneurs are, we must begin at the beginning.

Why do I say this is a holistic platform?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Holistic means:

Adjective

characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole:

"the solution demands a holistic approach and a strategic vision of what can be achieved" · "poverty will need to be addressed holistically."

Medicine

characterized by the treatment of the whole person, considering mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness:

"many people conclude holistic medicines are beneficial" · "a truly alternative holistic medical practice" · "a holistic therapist"

 

According to YourDictionary.com, it means:

As an adjective

1.      Of or relating to holism. Webster's New World.

Similar definitions:

2. Emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts. American Heritage Medicine.

3.   Off, concerned with, or dealing with wholes or integrated systems rather than with their parts. Webster's New World.

    Similar definitions

4.   Designating or of healthcare that takes a patient's nutritional, environmental, and psychological factors into account. Webster's New World.

5.    Incorporating unconventional treatment, as, variously, folk medicine, yoga, acupuncture, massage, etc.

 

General Systems Theory, a related modern concept [to holism], says that each variable in any system interacts with the other variables so thoroughly that cause and effect cannot be separated. A simple variable can be both cause and effect. Reality will not be still. And it cannot be taken apart! You cannot understand a cell, a rat, a brain structure, a family, a culture if you isolate it from its context. Relationship is everything.”

Marilyn Ferguson The Aquarian Conspiracy

 

We are all students of life:

Holistic education (also: holistic learning) is an approach to education that involves educating a person so that they will become a well-rounded and confident being who contributes productively to their community (in serving and being a solution when it is called for). It focuses on developing care for others and respect for the environment. It pays equal respect to the emotional, social, and cognitive wellbeing of the learner. ChrisDrew (PhD)

 

Another scholarly definition, from Marshman (2010, p. 3):

“Holistic education focuses on the fullest possible development of the person, encouraging

individuals to become the very best or finest that they can be and enabling them to experience all they can from life and reach their goals.”

Is that not what we all want? To be fully developed, to serve those with our talents and reach our goals. I know I am. As you, I learn with each new information I receive.

 

A Holistic Writer (artist)…

1. Sees their work from the outside in.

2. Understand their work as the sum of its parts.

3. Sees those parts only in relation to each other and the whole.

4. Sees their fiction in relation to their person.

5. Cannot separate their writing life and their everyday life, because they are the same.

 

What the Bible says:

We are earthen vessels that need to be filled.

Streams of living water will pour from us once we connect with God.

We are created in the image of God. 

He is the Creator, and we have His DNA. Therefore, we can create.

 

Next time, we will look further into ourselves. What it means when we hear: body, soul and mind. 

Release your Creativity: Ditching the Junk

 

Free Download: Introduction Release Your Creative Manual 

If we are in control of our thoughts, we can achieve just about anything. It sounds simple, and we’ve all heard this many times before, and wondered why we still cannot achieve what we want.

However, there’s more to it than a simplistic belief that ‘you can achieve anything you want in life’... right?

Most of us don't have control over our thoughts. Taking control of our thought life is the first step towards genuine progress.

Everything we think, every attitude we adopt, every position we assume, every angle we see things from, it all makes a tremendous difference.

So, you might think something like, ‘Here we go again, think happy thoughts and everything will turn out shiny and perfect. Is it all you have to do? 

Well, no. That’s not all. Not quite. Think clearly, without the attendant positive action, we’re wasting time. But if we have a positive attitude, it puts us in the mood to take decisive action. It makes the world of difference.

 STOP AND TAKE STOCK. 

Stop, and view your state and actions. You are defining your current situation by continually thinking the same way and doing the same things that have always brought you all the negatives you don’t want.

So, stop. Take a breather and notice your overriding thoughts. You might think thoughts of being useless? Or maybe you’re thinking that you don’t deserve certain things? Maybe you’ve decided that you’ll never make real money, no matter what you do or how many new ventures you try out.

So, why are we thinking this way? Well, not through choice, that’s for sure! It doesn’t take a trained psychologist to know that nobody wants to think destructive, miserable, and unproductive thoughts each day.

No-one chooses to do that. But (and it’s a BIG ‘but’)… we do repeatedly think this way by not choosing to think in a different way. The choices we make will make all the difference.

So back to the question, why do we think this way? Most likely because our culture encourages us to think this way. We are subjected to negative ideas and negative ways of thinking since childhood. We absorbed this in the same way as a sponge absorbs water.

Now, without thinking about it, we just adopt those depressing, negative attitudes, and those negative thinking styles, and we’re off and running. We end up thinking negatively, and we don’t even realise what we’re doing!

So, take stock and decide what it is you’re thinking, and then find out if it’s helping you move towards your goals, or moving away from them in the opposite direction.

Decide what you want. Think about it. Take your time. Attempt to define the precise details of what it is you want.

If there’s something you’re thinking about (for example, if you are continually reliving a negative experience in your mind), then ask yourself, “Is this helping me, or is it just slowing me down?”

If your thinking isn’t helping you, then it’s time to ditch the junk and quench those destructive thought patterns. It might not be easy, but it is achievable with a little self- awareness and a lot of self-control.

Decide on your next course of action (or course of thinking). If you have things that are going on in your life, and they are dragging you down, then you know it’s time to stop doing them, or thinking about them.

HAVE A MENTAL CLEAR-OUT!

Do this regularly. Remove the junk from your mind and get rid of all the emotional trash. Feel the relief as you ‘see’ it floats away on a softly undulating sea of calm thoughts. Isn’t it good to be free from that emotional garbage that’s been dragging you down and pulling you further and further away from what you actually want?

As you become freer and lighter, you’ll be able to put into action all the things you want to do. You’ll find that you can complete them much more easily and more productively now.

It’s much easier to do the correct and the productive thing if you are not weighed down by bags of negativity. It’s like trying to swim with bags of sand attached to your belt.

The moment you ditch your junk thoughts, you will feel lighter! You can move easier! You can move with greater ease towards the things you want in your future. Your actions will be more efficient because you’re no longer being dragged down by rotten, stinking thinking!

BEGIN MAKING REAL PROGRESS

Upon doing this, you’ll see actual progress in your life. Progress in improving your memory, or making more money, or finding romance, or improving your relationships, or building a business. Whatever it is you want, you must be sure of what it is before you move towards it.

This is more easily achieved if you’ve ditched all the rotten thinking that’s been holding you back all this time. The way to do that is to recognise it for what it is, and let it go.

And as you relinquish the negativity, you more easily adopt an attitude of positivity, which helps you move in the right direction, and much more quickly.

COUNTING THE COST

And your cost of achieving all this? A few minutes each day, and a little clear thinking! Some time spent reflecting on the value of certain trains of thought—and the boldness to change direction where necessary.

Commit to your future and devote some quality time each day towards some clear and forward focused thinking. In return for a few minutes of your time, the future rewards can be incredible!

If you have been spending time (and emotional energy) thinking depressing, miserable, and unproductive thoughts, you can change things, and you change them now.

You don’t need to be a psychologist, or even have a psychotherapist to guide you.

You do not need an expensive hour on a consulting room sofa once a week for six months or a life coach. You don’t even need a patient friend to listen to your troubles or a comforting shoulder to cry on.

Generally, you can sort out your own problems, all by yourself, and without any support from therapists or any other type of ‘professional’. In just a few minutes each day, all the benefits of thorough self-reflection are yours!

You’ll feel more at peace within yourself and find your thinking is much clearer. You’ll begin making better decisions. Your goals will become much clearer, and you’ll be moving towards your goals steadily, and with far less effort.

In fact, you’ll be closing in on your goals so fast it’ll make your world spin!