Creative Success Newsletter
Number 45—July 2004
Strategies for Creative Souls Series
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Our new website is now launched! Click on http://www.creativesuccess.com
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of services, an expanded Books and Products store, and fabulous
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for you! Our new Out on a Limb Club teleclass begins September 14th.
***Strategy for Creative Souls #20: The Rightness of Rest
“A rested mind is a receptive mind”. Gail McMeekin
I had a marvelous week in Mexico at the spa Rancho La Puerta. I
fell in love with Nia and Water Aerobics and our workshops attracted
simply lovely people. The Ranch looked like the Garden of Eden with
beautiful statues and lovely flowers in bloom everywhere. The food
was gourmet vegetarian from their own organic farm, which I hiked
up and down 2 miles to visit, which was fascinating. I also toured
the Ranch’s Foundation which has educational programs for
children and families with a park for community gatherings. The
whole week was truly a peak experience, for which I am most grateful
to my friend Alice.
This week, however, in the midst of my website launch and my major
plans for catch-up work, my beloved laptop turned into an alien.
My plan had been to replace my it in the fall and go through a lengthy
process of researching models, comparing buying versus leasing,
etc. But my laptop had another agenda—no more disc space,
regardless of what I deleted. Thanks to my husband’s initiative
to just go to Costco and “get it done”, I am typing
on a new laptop today. There is lots more reloading, etc. to do,
but I am amazingly calm. I am at peace with this because I am rested
and have had adventures this spring and summer. Stored up are extra
reserves to call upon in times of stress. Had this happened in the
midst of a period of relentless overwork, I would probably be dealing
with this crisis with less grace. While I would never have chosen
this week to dance with a new computer, I am surrendered. On a recent
Bill Moyer’s Now, a political pollster stated that the real
campaign issue this year was people’s concern about lack of
time. Lack of time to restore yourself, as well as lack of support,
increases your vulnerability to dark days and high drama.
A second benefit of rest is idea generation. I get my best ideas
when I’m out in nature, in a novel environment, or on vacation.
While I was at the Ranch, I had this powerful intuition to journal
alone in this gorgeous circular building called the Oak Tree Pavilion.
It was a stone building with luxurious pillows and couches facing
a magnificent fireplace with circles of glass windows. Several times
during the week, I hiked over there with my writing journal, but
there were always people there. Finally, I decided to go right before
dinner and found it empty. I cuddled up with the pillows and wrote
for over an hour. I wrote about my own life Additions and Subtractions.
I got laser clarity about next steps and priorities. It was a magical
moment—sitting alone in Mexico in that lovely building, able
to think clearly and freely. These were priceless insights and the
kind that reveal themselves when your mind is free.
Lastly, a third benefit of rest and restoration is the energy for
new commitments. When I got home I noted how quickly I could potentially
get overwhelmed by the details of life and work once again. This
24/7 world is a dangerous one, as we get over-worked and underactualized.
It can eclipse our creativity and undermine our optimism as well.
So I am committing to honoring the spiritual practice of “Sabbath”
on a regular basis and blocking off a sacred rest period every week.
I want to preserve my stress resiliency, my clear thoughts, and
feel joyful every week. Rest is like an insurance policy for good
health and an investment in our “becoming”. I urge you
to join me in carving out your own R&R time, beginning this
summer.
****Creative Acts and Resources
My colleague, Suzanne Falter-Barns, has a new website to help you
to build your platform and become known in your field. She has newsletters
and an e-book and lots of great content. Check out http://www.selfhelpsalon.com
.
Artist’s Sketchbook by Subscription
My favorite creativity magazine is now available by subscription
beginning in September. As they fly off the shelves in the bookstores,
now you can actually get a copy. We sent some of you copies last
year as they printed my article on Rituals. To order, call 800-258-0929.
I also want to recommend a wonderful newsletter called “The
Way Through” which is published by the Iona Center in Healdsburg,
CA which is a non-profit center dedicated to the nurturance of contemplative
life through publications, retreats, and programs. Sample copies
are available on request by emailing Nancy at nancyhiles@comcast.net
or calling 707-431-7426. Each page is packed with soulful challenges
and stimulation.
Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin
Career, Creativity, and Life Choices Coaching, Consulting, and Writing
www.creativesuccess.com
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