The lazy days of summer offer the perfect opportunity to develop one of the most needed creative characteristics – the need to be receptive.
We’re so active, busy and booked in our daily lives that we rarely slow down to simply listen and receive inspiration.
This receptive space – a wee horizontal rest, a walk around the neighborhood, a pause at a café or under a tree – is vital for the creative process.
Our best ideas seem to come when we’re looking at them askance. Solutions to problems arise after directed focus, then release of that focus to allow.To allow new perspectives and possibilities arise.
Mark McGuinness of Lateral Action writes about this need to enjoy down time and I’ve written about how to take mini creative excursions throughout your day.
When you slow down, you are more attractive to juju – ideas, solutions, serendipity and the joy of simple pleasures.
How to slow down when your days are packed with to-dos?
Some reminders on how to be receptive:
- Start by being receptive to your body. Notice when it’s tired and calls you to stop and rest.
- Be aware of what you’re receiving when surfing online – ideas, beliefs, more information – and be curious about how those influences are impacting you.
- Be sure to have interstices of time – wee cracks between scheduled things – where you feel free to choose what you want to do.
- Release the notion that you have to make everything happen right now. See what occurs when you allow things to happen instead.
- Get comfortable not knowing what’s next in your work or life. Don’t fret if you don’t know how you’re going to execute on your great ideas yet.
- Stop trying to figure it out. Lie down under a tree and let answers come.
Let summer’s heat be an invitation to slow down and receive. In order to be truly receptive, you need to tap into trust.
Can you trust yourself to step away from the computer, to set aside your obligations in order to take ten minutes for rest and receptivity?
Michelle M. Jones says
Thank you–I SO resonate with this right now. Especially the point about being comfortable not knowing what is coming next. The creative ideas are flowing and I want them fully realized NOW. Yes, time to slow down and allow. . .
Cynthia Morris says
Michelle,
Oh, I know the feeling! I wrote this for my own impatient self, too.
The lying down under a tree really is one of the most splendid things in the summer. I hope you enjoy your chill time!
All the reasons you posted are why I wrote BEACH on my calendar on one weekend day and I’ve STUCK to it!!! I would write it down for two weekend days…but other things keep getting in the way….
Slow down, pause, take a breath, dive in again. Beach. Sigh.
PS: Yes, I wear plenty of sunblock. LOL
Thanks for linking this article in your newsletter! I seem to ALWAYS need reminding to slow down, to stop and breathe and RELAX, especially when I’m trying to hustle to get the next thing happening…yet, when I do take a breathing spell, opportunities show up instead of me having to chase them down! Thanks for this timely reminder and your great summer newsletter. Can’t wait to see what comes from your ‘blogbattical’ and new website!
Monica,
So true, what you say! That’s a great reminder, that we don’t have to make every little thing happen. I hope you get a lot of relaxing moments this summer.
Thank you for your kind comments. 🙂
Have a lovely summer.
Oh, how I needed to hear this. Thank you, Cynthia. I feel in this “in-between” time and am trying to do just what you’ve said, especially these three:
-Release the notion that you have to make everything happen right now. See what occurs when you allow things to happen instead.
-Get comfortable not knowing what’s next in your work or life.
-Don’t fret if you don’t know how you’re going to execute on your great ideas yet.
Stop trying to figure it out. Lie down under a tree and let answers come.
So I’m releasing, not fretting and going to let the answers come.
Thank you-
Barb
Barb,
You know so well how to pause and savor life around you. And you have your writing as an ally to help you clarify your next steps.
I have total faith in you. Release the fret! 🙂
Love to your summer, Cynthia
Thank you, Cynthia. I’m still learning that thing called patience. 🙂 All in all, life is good. It really is.
Ironically, your mentioning the CHILL OUT and sit under a tree piece came at a time when just recently I decided to “stop and smell the roses,” if you will. I just got tired of going through my schedule in my head every day – got to go here, got to stop there, need to hurry so I’m not late, etc. Enough already! I did some “downsizing” — staying home more and enjoying the simple things in life and all God’s blessings that are right here in front of me, waiting to be recognized. Life is too short and days are too fast – need to enjoy my home and all the things I love that are in it. I find myself doing tasks that I’ve put off for years! And it’s a wonderful feeling to accomplish completion! And then find that there are still more hours in the day – to do more!! Yes, sit under a tree and relax. If you can’t get to the tree – sit in your easy chair, close your eyes and visualize yourself sitting under that tree! The mind is a wonderful thing – you can go anywhere you want. ‘Nuf said. Now – CHILL OUT!!