It’s Not About Doing, It’s About Creating

I've been feeling somewhat disconnected in my design work these past couple of weeks, almost like I'm going through the motions but not sensing that creative energy and flow. With so many projects on the plate right now, I have not allowed myself the time or thought to sort through those feelings and just keep pressing forward to get it all done. I've allowed deadlines to become the driver.

It wasn't until last night as I sat quietly listening to a concert my 5^th grade and 8^th grade daughters were participating in that I got that nudge to remind me where I've strayed.

The concert included students from 5^th grade all the way up through high school and to see the talent and passion in these young students was truly inspiring. Especially the high school students; their joy and passion for music shined as they performed. I watched one girl in particular close her eyes as she pulled the bow across her violin and I could see how deeply lost she was in the moment and I could feel her passion for the music she was creating all the way up in the bleachers. It was then I realized, it's not about doing, it's about creating.

We all "do" each and every day but how often do we stop to find inspiration and create? How often do we allow ourselves to get lost in what we love to do? We forget that we shine the most when we are living our passion and creating our lives from that passion. When we stray from that, we feel disconnected and life becomes hard and challenging. We find ourselves going through the motions, pushing for results versus letter our passion guide us to the answer.

It's amazing how God will place certain people or moments into our path to help get us back on course. I love that my reminder came in such a beautiful and meaningful way through the presence of a young violinist.

The Path of Least Resistance

How do you respond to the obstacles in your life? Do you resist them or work around them? Our first instinct is to often push through them to force our desired outcome but the path of greatest resistance typically doesn't produce the desired result.

When we confront something head on, it creates resistance that in turn creates negative energy. That negative energy distracts us from our goal, shifting our focus away from our greater purpose. We become so preoccupied with being in a state of resistance that we lose sight of the real goal at hand. Resistance depletes our energy leaving us less to give to those the tasks that will truly make a difference in reaching our goals. Obstacles can ultimately strengthen and empower us when we learn to work around them versus through them.

Water is a perfect example of something that is so purely powerful yet embodies true nonresistance. As the creek travels to the stream, then the river and ultimately the ocean, it grows stronger with each obstacle it encounters, always choosing the path of least resistance. It quietly works its way around each obstacle and moves on. Eventually, its strength and power is no match for those obstacles further down its path. The obstacles encountered literally melt away and become part of the process.

If you were to map out a direct path from the creek to the ocean, it would look very different I'm sure from the one that nature has created. Obstacles are to be expected. Learning to work around them serves a greater purpose and is just simply part of the process. It's nature's way.