Your Creative Life

Don't Be Afraid of Who You Are

With the practice of sitting meditation, I'm able to begin to have some comprehension of this slogan that is presented in Shambhala Training and written by Chogyam Trungpa.

In meditation I'm able to sit and be with my thoughts, observe how they come and go and are replaced by another thought - a constant stream. This is all there is and I don't have to be afraid of who I think I am.

Attitude

What is it that I wish to impart that I've learned over the past couple of months? The first thing that comes to mind is that attitude is everything. My emotional state, my mental attitude, determines how I view and experience life.

If I notice or become aware that my attitude is negative, then I must change it to a positive one for the sake of my sanity, literally. What I find so remarkable is that I can change my attitude. I am not ruled by it, rather I rule it.

One technique I use to change my attitude is to replace any negativity with gratitude. Another one I learned through Shambhala Training. It's called Raising Windhorse. It's similar to, but not the same as gratitude. Try it, you might like it.

Unfocused, refocused, some clarity

I notice I've been away from this blog for more than 3 months. And I've wondered why.

I think it's because I've been doing so many other things. These other things have been getting into a meaningful relationship for the first time in almost 30 years, getting engaged, setting and planning a wedding date, doing sitting meditation for about 12 days, buying a house, and going on an Alaska cruise. Maybe I should forgive myself for being preoccupied.

Maybe all of this is directly related to an aspect of creativity. I think there is something to chaos and confusion, not knowing, being unfocused. Recently, when I was talking to someone about my website, my blog and what I enjoy doing, it became very clear - not in my head but in my heart. I get my greatest pleasure from working with others to find what they get the most pleasure from in their lives.