The Magical Flow Approach to Creativity

By Valery Satterwhite

I'm fascinated by the random musings and threads that shape the world of blogging, social networking and cocktail conversations. Recently, I've been following an active national, if not global, dialog on creativity blocks of on form or another. Many lament that no matter how hard the try they are still stuck in the blocked zone. Help!, they cry, hoping that someone else will come along to wave a magic wand, sprinkle fairy dust and give them the inspiration they so desperately seek.

In their earnest pursuit and 'trying hard' to come up with a creative idea lies the difficulty. It is in the trying that you disconnect from your natural creative energy flow. When you try, or fight, hard to create or come up with an inspiration, you might as well handcuff your deepest and highest authentic self. Inspiration always flows in a path of least resistance and when you try and struggle you are pushing up against your natural creative expression. When you push and push and push and push to force this expression, that is your birthright, you become exhausted with hardly a drop of energy left in your whole of your being.

"Flow is being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz." — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Without energy it is nearly impossible to express passion. Without passion it is impossible to spark inspiration. Trying, hoping, expecting to force a creative moment will render you spent and powerless. When you feel spent and powerless you have said no to who you are, no to your deepest desire, no to what you are here to express.

If you discover that you're pushing as hard as you can, trying to resist your creative block, let go. Breathe. It's amazing how many people forget to breathe fully. In stressful or frustrating moments short shallow breaths are taken at best. Creative energy needs to breathe. Center and calm yourself by taking a few slow deep breaths starting from your diaphragm and feel yourself relax and return to a peaceful quiet state. Let whatever thoughts running through that monkey mind of yours just flow by without giving them any attention. To breathe energy back into your creative flow ask your inner being, your higher self, or what I playfully call the Wizard Within, what it would like to express. And then let go of any expectation of an answer, an inspiration, or a bright idea.

"Developing a composition is a continuous flow of ideas, where the artist combines, adds, reduces, adapts and discards the various elements in an unending discovery of new possibilities."
— Alessandra Bitelli

Once you have connected with your authentic inner being the creative process is back in motion. It is your inner being that holds the magic wand and fairy dust that can empower your creative expression. Add more energy into your flow by doing something, anything, to make you feel good. Listen to your favorite music, read the book that's been sitting on your nightstand, go for a walk. Use all of your senses as you stay present and fully engaged and tap into the creative abundance that surrounds you. Igniting any area of your creativity has a domino effect as it enriches your natural flow of intuitive ideas and inspiration.

The change from being blocked to being willing and open to your creative flow inspires new ideas, and naturally unfolds what's next. Now matter what comes next go with it, keep the energy flowing. Let go of any desire to seek order, coherence and meaning in your experience. Creativity is naturally self-organizing system. Once you get out of your own way, inspiration can flow through you to create the extraordinary — the fullest expression of your creative potential.

"Being in the flow" is definitely worth striving for. I know when I'm there. I'm tapped into something that is far beyond my ability."
— Aleta Pippin •

© 2009 Valery Satterwhite. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author | More by Valery Satterwhite
Valery will teach you how to Moxie Up! Her definition of Moxie is: The confident courage to achieve authentic greatness with unrelenting drive & passion. Claim your truth, own your power & command your stage with Moxie Therapy. Bring out the bigger, more vibrant and expressive person within you that you know is there. This is your purpose. You can do it — within 90 days — if you really want make an empowering difference in your life. Start today with free Moxie UP! tips. www.MoxieTherapy.com

5/23/09