Living creatively is both an innate need for self expression, and a challenge. They say that everyone has a book, screen play, or exhibit inside them, but how many people actually realize the dream of producing and sharing that creativity they feel called to? For whatever reason we get blocked. We are blocked by fear, doubt, insecurity and even ego. Yet, we still feel the need to express ourselves. Lucky for us this is not a single person battle. Many creators out there have gone through the same trials and devised ways to break through the resistance and create! Here are some resources I've found helpful along the way:
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Elle Luna's book, The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion. Not only a success story of someone who followed her bliss to find the meaningful work she is meant to do (so inspiring!), but a how-to guide on how you too can tune into your creative calling and make it work for you and your life.
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Gives you exercises and asks questions you (and others) may not think to ask that help show you what you really want. Pretty powerful stuff. What I valued most was the author's ability to guide us through our own thoughts and doubts to help us cross over to the other side and see what's possible.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have so much respect for Elizabeth Gilbert and her ability to stay humble and hungry amidst her success. She keeps questioning and growing and pushing to better understand herself and her role in this world and how it all works. We are so lucky she shares her insights with us and invites us along on her journey. Is there something you are curious about? Maybe just a little? Once you read the book, you will know what I am referencing and how powerful that question can be.
The War of Art: Break Through The Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battle by Steven Pressfield. This is a new resource for me, yet it struck me with such familiarity it felt as though I was connecting to some deeper knowing part of me finally put into words. The vocabulary and straightforward explanations on how we work as creative beings (both amateur and professional) hit home. Before long, I found myself quoting the book to another creative friend, and that is when I knew it was helping to shape the way I work and see my creative work.
Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All by Russell Simmons. I include this one in this lineup because there were some key takeaways for me that relate to creative work. The biggest one is to share your gift with the world. Give it out honestly and generously and the world will respond. It is a Law of Cause and Effect. Banish doubt and wherever you are in life do the best you can. Do everything that is within your control with passion and positivity and the world will take note and reward you. I type these things out now to share with you, but also to remind myself of their truth. The book provides stories and examples that are super motivating and help to light the fire for sharing your talent.
