Calm Creativity: Following and Finding Flow
A Year of Noticing - Day 236
Usually I love reading, but sometimes I find myself seeking a tech-free activity that is more mindless… or uses a different part of my brain.
A few weeks ago, I found a cute little cross-stitch kit of a blooming rose, and I was curious enough to invest in the small kit.
Instant memories came flooding back of when I was about ten or twelve and first received my first cross stitch kits. I don’t recall what they were, and I’m not sure where any of them ended up, or if I even finished them. What I recall is the intense focus I had on counting “squares”, and slowly watching the picture emerge. I can feel the joy and satisfaction of filling up a blank piece of material with colour to create a picture… especially without getting too many knots or tangles!
I recall seeing pieces of needle work that others had completed that filled large canvases and was in awe of the amount of time, persistence and dedication needed to complete one of these massive projects.
In a time when the outside world swirls with chaos, I am noticing that I yearn for quieter activities… and those that require intentional focus, but not planning or organizing or “that kind” of brain energy. It almost feels luxurious to let go, free space in my brain and follow someone else’s creativity, while still creating something of beauty.
I’ve noticed that this surprises me… I love being creative and innovative. I love planning and organizing. AND I’m recognizing there is bliss and freedom also in simply allowing, and I find it fascinating is how soothing I am finding it to follow someone else’s plan. I don’t need to choose colours, or make choices or decisions… simply follow, and allow myself to relax into flow, and a beautiful image emerges…
This week I found a magazine in the magazine rack at the pharmacy with a colour by number of birds, and decided to give it a try! I sorted through all the years of pencil crayons that we have, and found the closest twenty colours to match with the palette at the start of the magazine, numbered each one with a Sharpie (I’m all about creating the most ease possible), and started colouring!
One of the delights of the colour by number, is that it can be difficult to see what image is going to emerge before you start colouring… and slowly as the colours begin to create a form, you can begin to see what it is that you are creating!
There is great freedom and joy in finding flow, and allowing the worries of the world to melt away… even just for a little while!
And like magic, another hummingbird came into my life!
xo
I recently experienced more hummingbird magic… you can read about it here:
Hummingbird Magic
This evening I attended a very fun nature-themed trivia night in support of a local Nature Summit that provides outdoor education for children. There was a silent auction, the kind where you buy tickets, and place your tickets into a small paper bag in front of the prize package you hope to win. Since this was a fundraiser, I decided to buy some tick…