I admit that when I saw that this week's menu item from The Joy Diet was creativity, I had thoughts of coloring, stickers, glue and modge podge. I was a little disappointed when I saw what Martha Beck really had in mind.I tried to think of at least ten innovative solutions to problems I had or decisions I had to make. And then ten more after that. The problem for indecisive people like myself is that the more options you think of, the harder it is to pick one.
Then I moved on to "perservate on your enemy", or, in human speak, thinking of things you dislike about your enemy and seeing if it might be a quality you either need or already have. I have very few enemies but I sincerely hope I do not have the qualities of the people I dislike. This exercise did not sit well with me, which I realize was precisely the point, but I kept moving along to the others.
Another interesting exercise was to "unify false dichotomies", or to think of things you believe you can't possibly do or be at the same time and see if there is a way to bring them together. This was one of those things where I know it is useful but I think the results need more than a week to manifest.
The odd thing is that the easiest one--to do one thing differently--was the one I did not attempt this week.
My favorite part of this week? When Beck said, "Uncomfortable truth #1: You are always responsible for creating your life, whether you like it or not."
I think this week taught me to be easy on myself and to let some of Beck's ideas simmer. I can't expect answers in seven days.
16 comments:
Thanks for your comment on letting her ideas simmer. That's exactly how i felt this week
Yes, I found I'll be needing more time to sit with all her ideas, too!
Ah another one who finds the enemies hard to manage. Me too.
Thanks for sharing.
I too had issues. And wish I could simmer.
Yes, I'm glad you put letting ideas simmer out there. I get impatient with myself and keep trying to effort things into being. Action with a measure of lightness in it seems to be in the recipe for me. I need to be more like the Fool I wrote about and not take things so seriously.
It seems a lot of us are finding that these ideas will need to simmer. So, let's keep the heat on under them. I'm sure the week of Risk will push us to do just that.
Well said Lauren. A lot of this chapter did not sit well with me -- not because it was things I didn't want to look at -- I've already looked at these things, dealt with them and moved on. No need for me to repeat at this stage of my life.
I agree that when we choose something that does work from Martha's suggestions, one week is hardly enough time to work through it and notice any change.
This book is like a soup - adding little bits and then letting them simmer. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your week of creativity, I like the idea of letting it simmer, I also think for myself some ingredient adjustment can be helpful.
I think it's beautiful that you have found clarity around slowing down, taking your time, and allowing yourself to sit with the chapters as needed.... honoring the need to simmer... ah, what a beautiful concept.
Definately. We should have an extra week to simmer.
Yeah, I think this chapter was too dense and emotional for us all to digest in a week. I love your comment that we won't have the answers in 7 days.
Thanking you for your post girl awesome thoughts!
Great post. Here's to simmering. Take care.
This is such an amazing and inspirational post, Lauren. Thank you so much for sharing.
i had the same thoughts of you for creativity but i guess there is more than one way to be creative. great post!
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