Mindfulness and Creativity: The Wow of Wonder
by Maya Frost
You are so creative.
Whether or not you consider yourself a creative type, the reality is that you are constantly creating thoughts.
Mindfulness invites you to be aware of this constantly flowing river, and offers an opportunity to choose to sit beside it instead of swimming in it. By watching the thoughts from that calm riverbank, you can more clearly see the ones that float to the top and sparkle in the sun.
But mindfulness is more than just mind watching mind. When we are engaged in the process of creating--whether with words, numbers, music, art, or movement--without getting swept up in the concept of where it might be leading, that is a very pure form of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a catalyst for wonder.
You notice something.
An idea is sparked.
A distinction is made.
A perspective shifts.
There is a fullness in that moment, ripe with possibilities, but unburdened by expectations.
The things that captivated you as a child were objects and ideas that triggered your sense of wonder. You noticed something new, and jumped right into the Wow of Wonder. And there were plenty of things that elicited that response every single day.
A bug you'd never seen. A card trick. Something under a microscope. A new musical instrument. A dance move. A song. An animal. A poem. A historical fact. A new flavor of candy. So many new wonders each day!
Mindfulness allows us to notice the world around us. You can't always engage in new activities, but through mindfulness, you can look at the same-old same-old with fresh eyes.
The Wow of Wonder is what stimulates us to be creative. Ideas flow, energy flows, and then, before you know it, you are in that state of flow. Everything hums. It all moves forward in a magical way.
The Wow of Wonder allows us to transcend what we "know" and flow lightly in that river of thoughts without sinking under the weight of evaluation. It is wonder that saves us from overthinking.
There's no need to work at making mindfulness a part of your life. It's already there. You can glimpse it in all of your favorite memories. Being right there in the moment, full of wonder, and playing with discovery--that's you at your most creative!
Look for the Wow of Wonder, and you'll find yourself immersed in both mindfulness and creativity.
Isn't it wonder-ful?
© 2004-2020 Maya Frost
Please include the following when sharing:
Maya Frost is an author, mindfulness trainer, and creative change strategist.
Learn more at MayaFrost.com
Whether or not you consider yourself a creative type, the reality is that you are constantly creating thoughts.
Mindfulness invites you to be aware of this constantly flowing river, and offers an opportunity to choose to sit beside it instead of swimming in it. By watching the thoughts from that calm riverbank, you can more clearly see the ones that float to the top and sparkle in the sun.
But mindfulness is more than just mind watching mind. When we are engaged in the process of creating--whether with words, numbers, music, art, or movement--without getting swept up in the concept of where it might be leading, that is a very pure form of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a catalyst for wonder.
You notice something.
An idea is sparked.
A distinction is made.
A perspective shifts.
There is a fullness in that moment, ripe with possibilities, but unburdened by expectations.
The things that captivated you as a child were objects and ideas that triggered your sense of wonder. You noticed something new, and jumped right into the Wow of Wonder. And there were plenty of things that elicited that response every single day.
A bug you'd never seen. A card trick. Something under a microscope. A new musical instrument. A dance move. A song. An animal. A poem. A historical fact. A new flavor of candy. So many new wonders each day!
Mindfulness allows us to notice the world around us. You can't always engage in new activities, but through mindfulness, you can look at the same-old same-old with fresh eyes.
The Wow of Wonder is what stimulates us to be creative. Ideas flow, energy flows, and then, before you know it, you are in that state of flow. Everything hums. It all moves forward in a magical way.
The Wow of Wonder allows us to transcend what we "know" and flow lightly in that river of thoughts without sinking under the weight of evaluation. It is wonder that saves us from overthinking.
There's no need to work at making mindfulness a part of your life. It's already there. You can glimpse it in all of your favorite memories. Being right there in the moment, full of wonder, and playing with discovery--that's you at your most creative!
Look for the Wow of Wonder, and you'll find yourself immersed in both mindfulness and creativity.
Isn't it wonder-ful?
© 2004-2020 Maya Frost
Please include the following when sharing:
Maya Frost is an author, mindfulness trainer, and creative change strategist.
Learn more at MayaFrost.com