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In these troubled times, we need to have an escape, someplace
where we can go to forget about the world for an hour or two.
Any creative person will tell you about “flow” time. That
is the process whereby you simply forget yourself. It does
not have to be an artistic endeavor, such as painting or writing.
It does have to be a creative activity. Creativity can be
found in cooking, gardening, decorating, building, and even
management and diplomacy. It’s the way we choose to look at
the world that enables us to make or do something in a different
way. It’s our own personal style.
In career coach Gail McMeekin’s 12 Secrets of Highly Creative
Women, “a portable mentor” (Conaris Press, $16.95), she
profiles many of today’s dynamic women and writes about their
success secrets. The women who participated in this
project run the gamut from a Cherokee/Appalachian poet to
a president of a multi-million dollar company to an international
ceramics expert to an interior designer. Ms. McKeekin introduces
their advice by stating that “creativity leads you into a
life of self-expression, fulfillment, and contribution.” She
then proceeds to offer you tips on how you may best find your
inner self, reflect upon it, and offer it to the world in
a unique way that is only you.
She references Michelle Cassou’s book, Life, Paint and
Passion, because in it Ms. Cassou urges her readers to
“recover the capacity to invent that you had as a child.”
One of the ways to discover your creativity is to follow your
instincts, do what you love (not for the money), and keep
practicing. Another key factor is to disregard the criticism
because it may inhibit your growth and potential. Ms. McMeekin’s
book emphasizes the importance of playing – that is, doing
something you love for the sheer sake of it and having no
expectations. You will be surprised at what you can do.
Another way to inspire creativity is to reconnect with nature.
According to author Lorraine Anderson, “Nature has been for
me, for as long as I can remember, a source of solace, inspiration,
adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion.” Many
women profiled in this book have commented on the importance
of daily walks and gardening. They stay centered by
connecting to the outdoors. This is how they stay balanced.
“Having the interior freedom to be clear about what is going
through your filter takes a lot of sorting, examining, reflection,
and time, time, time,” writes Ms. McKeekin.
The more chaotic the outside world becomes, the more balanced
your internal world must become. The best route to inner peace
is through creativity. If you choose to purchase this book,
reading about these 12 women’s secrets will prove to be well
worth your time. May you find activities that you enjoy and
may you lead a creative life. The world can never have enough
goodness.
Editors Note:
Debra Scala is the Director of Marketing at the East
Meadow law firm of Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP,
and she teaches “How to Market and Promote Your Business”
at Hofstra University’s School of Continuing Education.
Her email address is dscala@cbah.com.
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12 SECRETS
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