Since the beginning of the year three words have been imprinted upon my mind—speak, create, and order. You see those were the things that God was found doing in the beginning of time. He was busy creating cosmos out of chaos. And since I have been created in His image, I am trying to focus this year on using my creative abilities.
Like everyone else I was granted a blank slate with the commencement of a new year. But I haven’t made the progress I had hope. Which led me to study up on some of the hindrances to our creative pursuits:
- Comparisons: As long as we are using the ruler of someone else’s achievement as our measuring stick, we come up short.
- Procrastination: The incessant putting off leaves us with nothing to show for our time other than wasted moments.
- Busyness/Lack of Alone Time: Not everyone gets their creative juices flowing in the same way. But staying continuously connected to the sea of other people’s ideas can drown out our own.
- Unforgiveness: Failure to forgive leaves us chained in our thoughts to a particular event, which narrows our focus.
What other creativity snatchers have you discovered in your life?
[simple_series title=”A-Z Challenge 2012″]
I can think of so many things that hold me back, but lack of time (maybe it’s prioritizing it?) is always my excuse. I am trying to discipline myself and hear & listen to God’s voice to sort things out and follow His direction.
Good thoughts to ponder this morning Wanda!
Denise
Prioritizing my time is a big one for me too Denise.
Sometimes time and circumstances hold me back, but eventually I get there……that’s the main thing.
Yvonne.
Thanks for sharing Yvonne. Some things are just outside of our control.
Perfectionism comes to mine immediately for me. Editing as I write can stymie my creativity. I need to let go of the need to perfect each sentence before I move on to the next.
Oh now I can’t believe that one didn’t come to my mind. I have had such a battle with perfectionism. My thoughts were I rather not do it at all if I can’t do it well.
Such a good word. This reminded me of the warning we’d get from one of my aunts not to cheat in school. She use to tell us that people who cheat fail at things they would succeed at if they only used their own abilities instead of comparing and trying to copy from others. She was a stickler for avoiding comparison. She believed that it led to shortcuts. She’d check our homework for our own writing. She wanted to know that we we thinking for ourselves, working at our own pace and on own ideas. She would have loved your model.
Wow Wanda…I can so relate to this post!
I battle with my creative moments around my family! I think
I need a creative vacation…alone!
Every time I think I’m going to work on this..surprise someone is home or I’m
needed somewhere….augh~
Off to go work on my Muse, she needs some compassion
Thank you Wanda this was a great post!
Being alone too much can do the same thing. If you live alone, be careful not to isolate yourself.
I hadn’t thought about that one Elizabeth but being around us do help stimulate fresh ideas when you get outside of your own head.
Each point is excellent…especially the forgiveness issue. So important.
Jesus went about the Father’s business…not busy-ness. You’re right, we can get so caught up in the busy-ness of life, even if it’s doing good and helping and volunteering etc. In other words, ‘being a doer and not a hearer only’, but, the requirement for being a doer is being a hearer first and THEN obeying.
I’m finding that when I’m just going about my busy-ness I realize I begin to lose my peace. That’s when it’s time to reassess with my Father and once again get His instructions. One of these days I’ll ‘get it’!
God bless.
Brenda, it’s true we have to hear first and it takes time away from the doings of life at time to really hear well. Pleasure to have you stop by and good luck in the challenge.
Haven’t forgotten you from the A-Z a couple of years ago. Your posts are thought provoking as always. Hope you are doing well. Linda
Hi Linda, good to hear from you. Are you joining the challenge this year?
Yes. It has apparently grown to huge numbers! i will check your posts frequently.
I think procrastination is the biggest one. Sometimes it’s easy to think we can do something tomorrow, insomuch that we miss the opportunities of today.
This is me, Duncan D. Horne, visiting you from the A-Z challenge, wishing you all the best throughout April and beyond.
Duncan In Kuantan
Hi Wanda, I didn’t know I could back to your blog. I am elated. I need total committment and quiet when I am creating. My family and friends don’t always knw how they zap my creative energy with their distractions . Great post!
dreamweaver
Hi Debra, glad you found your way back here. Distractions can come from all around us even the people we love the most.
Unfortunately fear has played a part in holding me back. But, the more I am trusting God, the less fearful I am becoming. Blessings to you Wanda.
Doubt, which may be related to comparisons. Doubt that you truly were wonderfully made and possess the skills/talent, or the ability to gain them, to complete the desires of your heart. The seeds of doubt, even if you don’t compare yourself to others, tell you that your fruit is not good enough.
Lies!
Oh Patricia, doubt is a good one and my head is nodding in complete agreement to your statement.