“Creative living at its best involves a rhythm of intense work and not-so-intense work, of times when you do something new and times when you simply enjoy a routine.” ~ Thomas Kinkade

In Lightposts for Living, Thomas Kinkade explains the paradox of all creative endeavor. “You have to work very hard to make it happen - but you can’t make it happen simply by working!”

I agree. After a recent writing frenzy, I had to finally stop, switch gears, and putz around the house. Time spent cooking, praying, and sorting the mail gave my brain a chance to rest and “percolate.” Later, back at the keyboard, creative sparks were flying.

Too much time away from the craft is counterproductive, though. At least for me.

What works for you?

A couple readers have mentioned on my other blog that comments aren’t showing up here. I wonder if there’s a glitch in the system? If you’ve tried to comment but had a problem (or it didn’t show up) please hit the “contact” button above and let me know. Comments are only moderated due to occasional spam, and I check them daily unless I’m sick. Thanks! ♥

“Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering, with tears in its eyes.” ~ Frederick Buechner

“When disappointment and fear and confusion descend, it can be hard to discern the color of joy in our lives. That’s when it helps to step back and look for the big picture, the traceable pattern in the tangle of events and emotions, and the blessing that often wears the disguise of suffering.” ~ Thomas Kinkade

“We forget that we too are children whose hearts must be opened, trusting and needful of God’s deep embrace where all joy, all suffering is felt and borne.” ~ Wendy Wright

“Creative people learn to savor whatever befalls them. Sometimes we wallow in wonder, sometimes we wallow in sorrow or confusion. But we learn to notice the finer details, even while those details wound or confound us.” ~ Vinita Hampton Wright, The Soul Tells a Story

“And so story helped me to learn to live. Story was in no way an evasion of life, but a way of living life creatively instead of fearfully.” ~ Madeleine L’ Engle, Walking on Water

What experiences are shaping you with greater clarity for writing? Have you resisted or lamented? Maybe you’ve decided not to waste your sorrows. Maybe you’ve decided to go ahead and write.

If so, please share. ♥

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” ~ Philippians 2:3

It’s hard to like some people. But as we grow in the love of Christ, we look at folks differently. As we’re more mindful of His unfailing grace in our own lives, we humbly squelch the attitude. Eventually the thread of joy weaves through even our most difficult relationships, and God seasons our writing with a grace it never knew before.

We can’t write well if we don’t understand needy people. Neither can we write well if we think we know it all.

But rest in Christ and see what happens. ♥

“Cease to inquire whatever the future has in store, and take as a gift whatever the day brings forth.” ~ Horace

“Each day brings us a chance to do better and to make good. It is as though our slate has had the smudges of yesterday wiped out.” ~ L. Bevan Jones

“No tool, in and of itself, has great importance. But placed in the proper hands it can create a masterpiece.” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

“Be like the bird that, halting on its flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.” ~ Victor Hugo