33 Ways to Stay Creative

From "The World's Best Ever", http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2011/06/06/33-ways-to-stay-creative/

 

Alright, I'll be honest. Writing blog posts is a lot harder than I originally thought it would be. At first I had all these lofty ambitions of writing inspirational pieces that thousands upon thousands would read and be touched by. It seemed terribly exciting and I never dreamed there would come a day when I would face the infamous "writer's block". I sat in front of a blank page for years it seemed, scheming and scheming until I could scheme no more, but I couldn't think of one good thing to present to the world. I knew I needed to, but I began to dread writing posts. However, here I am, determined to write despite the complete lack of inspiration that I started out with.

I was so starving for inspiration, it seems, that I have resorted to writing a post on my relationship and viewpoints on it. I originally found this list when I was adventuring with Stumbleupon a while back. It really resonated with me, because I've found many of these techniques on my own without being completely conscious of the fact that I had. As I was reading the list I kept thinking to myself, "Hey, I do that!" For instance, I used to free write A LOT. Most evenings I would write to God about the day and things I had on my mind and things I felt he was saying to me. It was a way for my prayers to be more focused. I didn't realize that's why I found myself more inspired and creative. Now I'm thinking I should really get back into that!

I really value journalling, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to keep one. Not only does it keep you creative, but it also helps to keep you balanced, in my opinion. It's very therapeutic to be able to release emotions and stress in this way. If you can write about it, and get it all out, then you can spend less time thinking about it over and over again and spend more time working around it and living joyfully! Plus, it doesn't necessarily need to be an every day thing. When I first started journalling when I was really young, I thought to myself, "Okay, this is the week I write every single day, without fail. I don't care what happens I WILL write in my journal!" This system just didn't work for me. I know that for many other people, forcing themselves to write every day keeps them challenged and goal-oriented, and that's great! Go for it! But for some people this just adds unnecessary stress. Too much stress is the enemy of a creative mind. So go with the flow! Also, it you were to look through my journal, you would find more than just mundane posts. You would find lists (#1!), and drawings, and random ideas (#30!). Nothing is too crazy or abnormal to put in your journal. It's your place to relax and communicate whatever your little heart desires. And also, in case you haven't already noticed, this post is definitely breaking the font and text size rules! Yay for creativity! (Actually, I just don't know how to make it look like it usually does, but hey! We'll go with it!) Stay creative, my friends!

My Favoritest Author of All Time!

I love C. S. Lewis. Like a lot. He was such a wise man! He had such sound theology, and I really admire his writing. He had a way of drawing you in, captivating you with his poetic words, and when you finish, the full gradeur of his point hits you like a wave. Wow, that's major talent. Upon researching him, I learned some very cool facts about him:

1) He was buddies with J. R. R. Tolkien! How cool is that! They both worked at Oxford, and supposedly gave each other suggestions on their works. This makes sense, because they both incorperated Christian analogies into their novels.
2)C. S. Lewis married an American writer named Joy Davidman.
3)In 1917, he volunteered in the British Army, and experienced trench warfare. He was wounded, and while recovering he became quite depressed and homesick.
4)He made a pact with his friend that if either of them died in the war, the survivor woud take care of their families. When his friend died, he took on the care of the man's mother, who he formed such a close reationship with that he would often introduce her as his own mother. His mother had died when he was a child, and his father was distant and eccentric, so they became super close. He cared for her when she developed dementia, visiting her every day in the home until she died.

I was scrolling through a list of C. S. Lewis quotes today, and so many of them spoke to me. They were all so fantastic, that I couldn't possibly share just one with you, so here are some of my favorite quotes by C. S. Lewis.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” 

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” 

Agh, how awesome is this guy?!

A Love Beyond Measure

Have you ever noticed how much our culture craves love? No? You mean you haven't stumbled upon the million and billions of songs describing (and bemoaning) it, the TV shows idolizing it? How about the many websites devoted solely to helping people find it for themselves? Still no? Then I'm sorry to break it to you my friend, but you have lived under a rock your whole life. Not only have you been deprived of experiencing life, but I do not envy you the bruises you must have! Rocks are not too comfy..

But you know what I mean, right? Just take a look at these song lyrics:

"What do you got, if you ain't got love?
Whatever you got, it just ain't enough
You walk in the road, but you're going nowhere
You're tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there
Who do you hold, in the dark of night?
You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight
You have all the things, that you've been dreaming of."
 

"However far away,
I will always love you.
However long I stay,
I will always love you.
Whatever words I say,
I will always love you;
I will always love you."
 

It's as if the whole world is crying out for something more! Something solid in the middle of this unpredictable mess we call life. We know that life is nothing without love, but yet it sometimes seems like it isn't enough... Coincidence? I don't think so! It's how we were made! However we just keep wandering around looking for a quick bandaid fix to this giant problem, when the forever solution is right there! How could we be so blind! God loves us so much and we need Him so much that nothing else will do.
When I'm feeling particularly lonesome, I love just being quiet and feeling God there with me. He says His unfailing love surrounds me (Psalm 32:10), and that he will give me rest (Matthew 11:28) and be with me always (Jeremiah 30:10). That's good enough for me! :)

The Guerilla Artist

 

This has got to be the collest quote ever!  I love the idea of making art more than just some lines on paper; allowing it to leap off the pages and become tangible. "Paint the very atmosphere", that sounds so noble! Art is something that not every feels they can relate to, so it's something special when you take it out into the world and show them that art is so much more than they think. Art is exciting, inviting, and captivating! It reahes into your very core and relates to you in a way that nothing else can. Art is all interpretation, and though it helps to find out what the artist's take on it was, the true function of art is to reach you where you are.

If art is meant to reach you where you are, why not take it to where the people are?? I recently found this book called, "The Guerilla Artist". I haven't actually gotten around to purchasing it yet, but it sounds fantastic! It looks like it is meant to inspire you and give practical tips to "paint the very atmosphere". It's called "street art", and I've always been a big fan of it. Yes, some may call it graphitti, but I call it genius! They take ordinary walls, mailboxes, street markings, etc... and make them awesome! It's such an unexpected surprise that I dare liken it to random acts of kindness. Oh how wonderful it must be to be that artist, nd know you've brought a smile or chuckle to an otherwise glum day, whosever it may be. So yes, this is on my wishlist for sure. And if anyone buys it, please let me kow what you think of it! I'd also love to see what fantastic art you've been creating, whether it's street art or canvas art or a sketch or a fabulous recipe, or photography or a song or whatever! There are tons more ways you could create something, so if you're reading this I am speaking to you.

Poetry and Stuff...

The Edge
By Brianna Bute
 
I stand on the edge,
Peering at the vast world below,
Dreading the moment I leave my cozy nest,
When everything I’ve ever known,
Will be only happy memories.
 
Do I jump?
Will I fall?
Consumed by indecision
 I turn and spot the future
Creeping up on me.
 
Filled with sudden courage,
I turn to face the world,
Don’t look down,
Don’t look down…
I close my eyes real tight,

And leap!

 

 

SO... Hey there! This poem is something I whipped up for the first ever assignment of my English 30-1 Classs! <Don't ask me why there are three "S"s... Anyways, I'm not sure if it can be considered good poetry, but I like it, so that's always good. :)

There are 3 new things that have happened recently:

1) I have recently purchased a laptop. With this new-fangled gadget I will be able to write to you much more easily! Yay!

2) I have moved. Whether this is a "yay" or "nay" I haven't yet decided... I will let you know. It's smaller, which is lame BUT there's not as much house to clean. I can walk to school which is nice BUT also not, because I'm lazy. ;)

3) I have entered the fantastical world of Grade 12! Woo hoo! I'm happy, but also a little nervous. You probably gathered that from the poem, but whatever, I told you again!

Yeah.

 

I Will Follow

"Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move I'll move
I will follow you

Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose
I will follow you"

I love this song. We sang it in church the other day, and I seriously almost cried. It applies so well to my life at the moment, because my family and I have decided to move to Nicaragua next year to be missionaries. It's so exciting to be following where God wants us! He's been very close to me through this too, which is the best feeling ever :) It's really difficult for us right now though, because we are having to move into town, and off our acreage. We're getting rid of most of our stuff and moving to a much smaller place. It's kinda scary leaving this place that has been such a safe and peaceful haven for not only us, but for some of my friends who have claimed it as their second home. But it will all be okay in the end, cuz I know God is always holding me and leading me on. He's got a plan for His daughter, and this is one part of it. God is shaping me into someone more like Himself, and a girl who an fearlessly do His work in this broken world we live in. I have solemnly decided to follow Him wherever He leads me, because I am just so in love with Him, and I'm just so excited to see what amazing things God has planned for me! :) He'll provide everything I need, and He won't ask me to do anything I can't handle with His help.

~Brie

Voila! Fine Poetry For My Lovely Folk!

When it comes to writing blog posts,
I can really suck!
So to make up for my lameness,
A picture of a duck!

Ta da!!