In honor of Earth Day, I am reposting an early blog about creativity and nature.
One way to encourage your creativity is to spend time in nature. It doesn't matter where you go or what you do, just make sure you are away from concrete and asphalt.
Talk a walk in the park. Work in your garden. Go on a nature hike in nearby woods. My favorite place is the local zoo. I love to walk the trails and watch the animals. Its design helps me feel isolated and I forget I am in the middle of a city. No street sounds, no city smells. Just the animals and trees. Just nature.
Nature heals. There is a psychological theory that the
more we move inside to buildings with central heat and air with windows which
don't open and surround ourselves with all the modern conveniences and
technology, the more mental illness we will suffer.
Nature keeps us grounded. It slows us down, focuses us. It moves and blooms and grows in its time, not ours. If we want to watch a butterfly, we have to do it now not when our cell phone call is over. Nature fuels our core of energy, our creativity.
Nature inspires. I bet there isn't an artist now or in history who hasn't painted, written, danced or sung nature. Nature shows that there are endless possibilities to everything. In nature there isn't one bird, flower, or tree but a multitude. There isn't one color green or purple but infinite shades of each. One never lacks if one is in nature.
If your creativity is slow in starting or has stalled altogether, spend some time in nature this week. I know it helps me; I have a feeling it will help you.
© 2016, 2023 – Cheryl Fillion
