Writing is a solitary activity. Working in isolation, silence and inside our own heads is where authors live most of the time.
However, as an author I’m also part of a creative community. A lot of my friends are creative in all sorts of ways and being in contact with all these people inspires my creativity, as I hope it inspires theirs. Every time I have coffee with a creative friend—whatever their craft is—I grow.
Raphael paints wisdom; Handel sings it, Phidias carves it, Shakespeare writes it, Wren builds it, Columbus sails it, Luther preaches it, Washington arms it, Watt mechanizes it. Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have talented friends who:
- Paint
- Take photographs
- Act
- Model
- Write
- Run cafes
- Parent creatively
- Create websites
- Sew
- Knit
- Crochet
- Do interior design
- Play and write music
- Sing
- Dance
- Cook
- Write poetry
- Decorate and design cakes
- Plan, and create, great events
- Have amazing graphic design skills
- Make movies
- Make jewelry
- Are makeup artists
- Are radio announcers
- Are public speakers
- Design gardens
- Style hair
- Are sound and lighting designers
- Design buildings
Existing in community and cultivating relationships with like-minded people with beliefs we can align to, and gain strength from, inspires us.
People reach our heart if they resonate and connect with us in their stories and capture our imagination through their creativity.
Albert Einstein said, Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.
The people in my creative community are spread far and wide around the world. Some I’ve met personally, others are part of an online community.
I love hearing stories about people taking risks and stepping out to develop their creativity —whether it’s as a teacher, parent, business owner, artisan or artist.
I find hearing their stories, sharing experiences we have in common and being challenged by things that are different, causes my creativity to flow.
The lightning spark of thought generated in the solitary mind awakens its likeness in another mind. Thomas Carlyle
Stories that are filled with belief and add value beyond just a frothy message, build infectious enthusiasm in my soul.
Look at the creative people around you and ask:
- What is each person’s story?
- What value do they add to your world and to others?
- What do they inspire in you and others?
- How do they live out what they speak?
- Do they have infectious enthusiasm?
Find your own creative community and encourage each other. You will be encouraged in the process.
There is power in belonging – online or in the real world – to a creative community. It leads people to behave passionately.
Some people are destinations for inspiration. They are changing the world—creating amazing things and inspiring extraordinary actions in others.
Sharing our lives, and our work, with others who listen with the same emotional care and passion as we do, means our communities are safe places to share.
So, over the next few months, I want to introduce you to some wonderful people in my creative community and share some of the inspiring stories of my creative friends. If you’d like to join in, feel free!
In everybody’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner fire. Albert Schweitzer
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