Creativity: On Writing and Relevant 11

"We give inspiration too much weight. If you're a writer, you have to write even when you don't feel like it."
-Lisa Jo of The Gypsy Mama

It was the first session of the morning. I'd not procured caffeine, breakfast offered only the hope of a carb-coma and I was pretty tired from engaging in late-night conversation. Hungry, under caffeinated, over-tired and generally grumpy, Saturday morning at the Relevant Conference was, erm, a stretching experience for me.

Also, there was a nor'easter bearing down on Harrisburg, and fat snowflakes were coating the ground, making the lights flicker. If you've been around for awhile, you know I'm not a snow person. {Read: I cannot believe I don't live in Hawaii I loathe snow so intensely.}

So there was that, too.

I wasn't in the mood to write. I was feeling at a loss for the words that normally so easily come to my mind and spill from my fingers and lips.

So when Lisa Jo dropped that little gem of truth --

"We give inspiration too much weight. If you're a writer, you have to write even when you don't feel like it."

-- I was particularly challenged in that moment. And then she asked us to write for five minutes straight without worrying that it's just right.

With the prompt "becoming" I just wrote, and this is what came out.

Outside, white fat flakes blanket the ground,
covering it with the heaviness of the
first footprints of winter.


Yesterday, sun, streaming through the
thickness of gray-drenched skies,
reminding that there is warmth
beyond what meets my eye.


And, I am,
too,
being coated
in the heaviness of grace,
of hands, fingers stretched
across the blades of my shaking
shoulders
of whispered words being
gifted to my ears.


The snow coats the streets,
and morphs from flake to slush,
making a mess of the roads.
There is mess in the becoming.

The other outcome born from this session was a burst of creativity, a fierce rush of ideas coursing through my veins and running through my mind.

I simply cannot wait to share the creativity-sharpening idea Melissa, Lenae and I brainstormed while munching on lunch together. We'll hopefully be sharing soon after talking with Sarah and Alita.

I also cannot wait to share other truths I gleaned from the whispers of wise women while at the conference

In the meantime, if you need to just write without worrying if it's just write, check out The Gypsy Mama's Five-Minute Friday prompt this week and link up.

Disclosure: Our trip to Relevant is being generously sponsored by Chevy’s Driving the Midwest who has given us a tank of gas and a Traverse to get there. Our ride is also being fueled by Kawa Japanese and Asian Cuisine, Dr. Reena Jacobs of The Healing Groves, Curves of Lake County, Bigger Picture Blogs and Little Lake County, each of whome have provided one tank of gas for the trip. All opinions expressed are our own.

Simple Swaps: A Little Inspiration {Creative Oasis}

We women sometimes fall to the end of the priority list when it comes carving out time to make space for ourselves in our homes.

But we women -- artists, mothers, homekeepers, wives -- need a space to retreat to after a long day so we can breathe of the craziness, the busyness of the day.

It's essential to have a space that is alluring and aesthetically pleasing and inspiring -- one that invites us in to it and allows our creativity to flow, says welcome with its sights, sounds and smells; a Creative Oasis is the cure for creative slumps and much-needed respites for sure.

So for the month of September, I'm encouraging you to create your very own Creative Oasis in 15 minutes or less and for no cost.

Need a little more direction?

Here are some very simple guiding lights to creating your space.

So far three fabulous women have undertaken creating a Creative Oasis ...

Robin has taken her bedroom from dusty to delightfully peaceful and welcoming.

Before picture. Click bedroom for after shot!

Alita transformed a section of her unfinished basement into a welcoming, inspiring creative retreat.

Before picture! Click "unfinished basement" for after shot!

 And Jen has morphed her desk area from uninspired to beautifully reflective of her style.

Before picture! Click desk area for after shot!

The September Simple Swaps Creative Oasis linky will be open until September 30, but I hope you'll carve some time out before then so you can have many more days of enjoying your space!

Also? Someone who links up will be the lucky of winner of a beautiful Creative Oasis space enhancer from Scentsy. Head on over!

{This is the first challenge in my Simple Swaps series, a monthly link up that centers around creating a healthier, more inspired and intentional lifestyle.}

{Also, all pictures are from the corresponding blogs. Please go show them some encouragement and love!}