This is me, writing in the woods surrounding Walden Pond, which is the famed space outside Concord, Massachusetts where Thoreau did some of his most memorable writing.
Before you simply say “No” because you think there is no
wilderness in your life, look out your window and see if anything is living
within your view.
Do you see a person?
A leaf?
A “volunteer” plant or tree baby of some sort pushing life into form without invitation or planning?
Is there fruit in your refrigerator? Do you have beans – rice – flour in your kitchen?
All is wilderness.
Those times when you are aware of your heartbeat? Your breath?
Definitely a path to wilderness.
Ever taken a risk?
That is a powerful form of wilderness.
Now, with this new perspective, be open to the ways the wisdom of Henry David Thoreau coupled with YOUR unique ideas will create even more creative thought into your world.
Each day, a quote, an image, several questions and a writing prompt are offered to you to use for Your Blogging, Writing & Creative Inspiration in order to increase your creative thinking as well as your personal and soulful development.
Quote:
“We need the tonic of the wilderness.”
Henry David Thoreau
Questions:
What happens when you substitute “my” for “the” wilderness? “We need the tonic for my wilderness” or better still, “The world needs the tonic of my wilderness”?
What sort of “wilderness” do you allow in your blog? Your writing voice? Your life work?
What would happen if you let just a smidge more into your blog, your writing voice and your life work?
Lists:
Make a list of 5 – 10 ways your unique form of wilderness serves the world (or will serve the world when you are prepared to share it.)
Make a list of 2 – 5 people whose wilderness attracts you to collaborate.
Bonus: Contact one of the 2 – 5 people and create a space to discuss the possibilities.
Traditional Writing Prompts:
I define wilderness as….
My personal wilderness is like….
I will allow my blog’s wilderness to….
Personal Growth/Creativity Coaching
1. When you think about your work - art - business - blog - as a "tonic" or a cure for some aspect of the world's current challenges, what are some first thoughts that rise to the surface? Write about them, without considering any limitations. Stretch your boundaries and the "stuff" your logical mind wants to use to create barriers. In this exercise, there are no barriers or limits. Go!
2 Draw, sketch, collage, paint or meditate on the word "wilderness" for at least 15 minutes. Repeat three days in a row and then use one of the earlier prompts to dive more deeply into the subject. Your subconscious will be so happy you are utilizing her!
>> ----- <<One helpful strategy is to read the quote, questions, prompt and list and not to "take them on" all at once, but to allow them to simmer in the back of your mind throughout the day. Sure, you may "write" one immediately, but don't call it "done" until you have allowed your powerful subconscious mind to bring up some unexpected responses for your conscious mind to create within.
Remember, though - there are no rights and wrongs, there is only showing up for your life and your creativity. Brava for being here!!
This Blog Series was created to increase your creative thinking process as well as inspire writing and ideas to take form that may not have taken form without these specific quotes, questions and prompts. If you find them helpful, I hope you will pass them along to friends as well.
I’m so glad you are here, reading and creating.
Julie
Jordan Scott is a writer, performance poet, Mommy and mixed-media
artist. Her word-love themed art will be for sale at First Friday each
month in Downtown Bakersfield. Check out the links below to follow her
on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find
the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.
Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot
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