“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation and a pinch of creativity.” ~Bo Bennett
I love leading creativity and self-nurturing workshops and supporting clients in cultivating practices that feed their enthusiasm for life. Enthusiasm is such a gift that allows us to access and express our joy. I have found enthusiasm to be contagious and when I enthusiastically talk about an idea, a book, or experience I have had, people are more actively engaged in the exchange and often share with me what brings them joy.
Recently when the book I coauthored, Shine!, launched I posted my first ever video sharing my excitement about being involved in this book and my belief that we all are all called to shine brightly at this time spreading more love and compassion in the world. Amazingly there were over 1600 views of the video! I think we are drawn to enthusiasm because it feeds our own inspiration, motivation and creativity.
When I lead workshops, I like to offer a question to explore as we begin. Recently I asked clients what self-nurturing practice they used to fuel their creativity, which inspired me to write this article. You see no matter whether you define yourself as a writer, artist or creative person, creativity is essential to life.
We use creativity when we parent, problem solve, cook, communicate, strategize, imagine, dream, heal, and create anything in our lives. Our creativity is a well of possibility, which fuels our enthusiasm, energy, joy, hope, gratitude, growth, and feeling that anything is possible.
Some ideas the group shared included finding creative inspiration in a hot bath, walking on the beach, meditating, connecting with friends and/or family, reading, being in nature, art, writing, and gratitude practice.
What self-nurturing activity would you add to the list?
How could you include it in your day?
What difference would it make to regularly nurture your creativity?
If our creativity is a well we can draw upon for ideas, inspiration, and energy, then it is critical to nurture it every day!
May you commit to self-nurturing practices that boost your creativity and may you nurture peace in the world from the inside out!
Please share your comments below to inspire and encourage others!
Sending you so much peace, love and gratitude,
Kelley Grimes, M.S.W.
Counselor, Author & Speaker
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I have a practice which is now more of a habit to light a candle and pray over it. Even the most uncreative task becomes interesting Kelley.
I love your self-nurturing practice Vatsala! I also light a candle when I am writing and create a sacred space for my creativity. Thank you so much for your comment!
Congratulations once more on your new book Kelley!
Enthausiasm is very contagious. You can’t be enthaused and you don’t communicate to others round.
I think it is a self nurturing practice I would love to explore.
Get enthausiatic about everything round me and spread that enthausiam with others.
Thank you so much Leila! I love your idea of enthusiasm being your self-nurturing practice. It is sure to boost your creativity!
Hi Kelley, congrats again on your new book – what a fantastic creative accomplishment. My creative practice has a lot to do with self-love (of course) and it’s about daring to go with those funny, unique, quirky ideas that come from the authentic self – the ones that make your heart beat a little faster and ask: “should I really do this?!”
Thank you so much Reba! I love the question should I really do this when connected to creative ideas and giving ourselves permission to go for it! I really appreciate your comment!
While I incorporate many of those already mentioned, at this time of year I love picking up some yarn and a crochet hook, and sitting quietly in a room just being present with the movement of my fingers and the feel of the yarn in my hands. I get some of my best writing inspirations that way!
I love that one form of creativity inspires another for you Barb and that you weave in mindfulness in the process. Thank you so much!
Kelley,
I so resonated with your post! Creativity is so important for us all! Several self-nurturing practices that boost my creativity are: yoga (often when I’m on my mat before a class I get the idea for my next blog post); and walking in nature. Thanks for this thoughtful article reminding us of the power of creativity.
Thank you so much for sharing your self-nurturing practices Pamela that inspire your creativity! I love that you get your idea for your next blog post in yoga and that are steeped in the power of creativity!
Congratulations on the new book!
I am fortunate that my husband is also committed to growing creativity. Together, we try to make space for it in everything we do — from landscaping to cooking, and of course, writing and growing a business. We strive to include the most robust “ingredients” and allow time and space for little ideas to come to fruition.
Thank you so much Andrea! I absolutely love that your husband is committed to growing creativity and that you are engaged in the creative process together. I am so grateful that my husband is an artist and that we work together in my business creatively. What a joy to have creativity woven into our relationships! Thank you so much for sharing!
I love this topic. I am in the midst of a shift – definitely a work in progress – that invites creativity at the beginning of my day. I am opening to a relationship with creativity and getting to know that part of myself. I don’t know how this process will work out, but it feels right. Before practices of strategizing, organizing and planning, I am inviting creativity. Certainly, strategizing, organizing and planning can be creative. But for me, they often shift the focus from what is emerging to controlling that emergence. I wonder what will happen?
Meghan I love that you shared that you are opening to a relationship with creativity and getting to know that part of you! It is so exciting and filled with possibilities! I love your practice of inviting in creativity and curiosity. Thank you so much for your comment!
I practice self nurturing every single day in one way or another. Every morning I burn palo santo to clear, reset and balance myself. Then I light a candle and pray. I also love to do this while taking a relaxing bath. It resets ourselves.
All these practices sound so nurturing Heather! I love that you highlight that they have the power to reset us and bring us back home to ourselves. Thank you so much!
Congratulations on birthing the beautiful SHINE! So exciting 🙂
As for a self nurturing practice, I would like to be able to stay in a high excitement mode all the time, cause that is where my creativity bursts through. There are a few practices I know will allow me to do that…so I am going to add more of those into my days. Thank you for this much needed nudge.
xoxo, Z~
Thank you so much Zeenat! It is so empowering to share our stories and creativity. I love that you are going to add more self-nurturing practices that inspire your creativity into your days! I really appreciate your comment!