For me, it comes down to three things: being present, being patient, and being willing. The more I dwell in those spaces, the easier it is to see creative opportunities.
Being Present
Being in the moment allows me to perceive what is around me and wonder at its beauty. Creativity comes less from me than it does through me, so getting out of my own head and aligning with the Universe is the most important step for me.
When I was first introduced to this concept, I thought it was a bit too hokey. I realize now that that was my ego: an unwillingness to not be the focal point. By being willing to let go of self, to be open, to be vulnerable (states which the ego is not capable of), I become a channel for creative energy.
Essentially, the creation of art is a meditation. Through this meditation, I cease to exist, and I become one with the Universe. In this state I can hear, see, feel, and experience art. It is a humbling and powerful experience.
Thoughts, which are manifestations of the ego, are the ultimate distraction from creativity because thoughts take me out of this meditative state and into self-made drama. Thoughts place me at the center of the universe, and thoughts focus my attention on events in the past or future. All of this pulls me away from being present.
Accessing creativity has been a journey toward practicing presence. I’m grateful to the guides I have encountered on this journey whose teachings are guideposts pointing the way.
This photograph reminds me of the importance of presence. When I took this photograph, I was about to change jobs. I was filled with self-doubt: Was I making the right move? Should I have done things differently? Am I going to succeed? What if this doesn’t work out? All these thoughts were pulling me into the past, inviting me to replay old stories; or projecting me into the future, to ruminate on things that had not yet happened.
In that moment, I looked outside and was arrested by the beauty of the snow scape captured in the photograph. I couldn’t help but sit down and behold. It was as if the Universe had called out to me: “Stop. Come back to the present. Experience the world around you.”
Being Patient
I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to create. I’d compare myself to other creators and beat myself up for not being as productive as them. Or I’d experience someone else’s art and wonder why I hadn’t had that same creative idea, or worse, I’d buy into the narrative that I wouldn’t have been able to create that art even if that inspiration had come to me because I’m not good enough.
I was venting to a friend about this, and what they said was what I needed to hear: “You’re right, you’ll never be as good as those artists as long as you focus on their story instead of waiting and being ready to tell the story that was meant for you to tell.” The art of those I aspired to was great because, through their art, they were telling the story that was meant for them to tell—their art was authentic. As long as I was focusing on other artists instead of developing my own connection with the Universe, there was no way for me to create in a meaningful way.
In that moment, I realized that the power of my art comes from telling the story that I’m meant to tell. It’s not for me to emulate other artists. Instead, it is for me to develop and practice the tools of art and be patient, so that when the story meant for me to tell presents itself, I am ready to tell it. Presence and patience complement each other. As I’ve practiced presence, my capacity for patience has grown.
Being Willing
When the Universe calls, will I answer?
I was walking one evening, in downtown Kansas City, from one work event to another. As I was preparing to cross the street, I caught a glimpse of this scene and it resonated with me. I was running late. My first thought was: “I can come back another time to capture this.” And then I realized: It’s not the scene that is calling to me, it’s the present moment calling to me through the scene. If I come back later, the feeling, the inspiration, the creativity of this moment will not be there. It will be a different moment altogether. Creativity is calling at this moment. Am I willing to receive what the Universe is presenting to me now? So, I stopped, shot a few frames, was grateful for the Universe, and continued. And no one noticed that I was a few seconds late. It didn’t matter in the least.
Guides:
Julia Cameron, author and artist. “The Artist’s Way”
Eckhart Tolle, author and spiritual teacher. “A New Earth”
Rick Rubin, author and artist. “The Creative Act: A Way of Being”
Courtney Clayton Jenkins, senior Pastor, teacher, and film maker. South Euclid United Church of Christ
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