I had a number of errands to run today.  It's one of my rare office days when my schedule is my own to do with as I please - within the boundaries of getting my work done of course.  The day is gorgeous in Grand Rapids, so my youngest son and I take off in the car to enjoy being together and being outdoors.  He's immersed in a new book, so I pop in a Tony Robbins CD from his "Get The Edge Series."  He momentarily perks up to listen and then decides his book is more interesting.  I settle down. We're together...teenager & Mom...and this is a good thing... and it is enough. 

I've received the series as a gift several days ago.  As Tony begins to talk, I drift in and out of my private thoughts.  Then something he says arrests my attention.  He is asking a question...Did you have a Great Thought Interrupt Your Day today? 

It's a rhetorical question...the point being made that great thoughts rarely interrupt our days...they come during moments of contemplation, relaxation or fun.  Seemingly from nowhere, ideas arise, solutions emerge and opportunities all of a sudden become visible.  But how...

You have to make time to Create!  Creation is an artistic discipline which must be nourished to thrive.  Creativity needs the spacious landscape of downtime...relaxation...to enable its effervescence to bubble to the surface.  As I listened to the CD, there were several insights that emerged. 

1.  Creativity must be Nourished & Protected.

For many years, I have devoted the first hour of my day to quiet contemplation and devotional reading. It is at these moments, when my mind is freshest and my thoughts have not yet begun to race unabated, that inspiration has aroused fresh passion within my soul.  Most of my teaching on spiritual life has been written during these times.  While my level of mental and spiritual stimulation is not always on "high alert", I have always been refreshed and more relaxed in starting my day this way.  The days when this time has been rushed or omitted have left a slight disjointed unsettling feel to life's activities.  Consequently, these moments must be treasured and protected. 

2.  Creativity Requires Time to Flourish.

A big mistake which I have often made or been tempted to make when I have an inspired idea is to talk about it...to anyone and everyone.  Experience has taught me that not every receiver of information is tuned in to give helpful or wise counsel and support.  Creative ideas are seeds.  They do need to be planted and worked into the soil. Inappropriate exposure will kill an emerging seedling of an idea.  Criticism, skepticism, scorn and misunderstanding are poisons that will effectively cut off its young life.

3.  Creativity Thrives on Expectation.

The 1989 Movie, "Field of Dreams"  the character Terrence Man (played by James Earl Jones) encourages Ray (played by Kevin Costner) with this famous quote "If you build it, they will come" famous.  In a similar way, creative instinct also forces you out on a limb with reference to expectations. Expecting to be inspired has a way of creating opportunities for inspiration and creativity.  It's a matter of perspective. 

The fact is that inspiration is all around us.  We usually don't see it because we are walking around with our "eyes wide shut."  Creativity abounds within the peculiarities of nature.  It dances with delight in the mischievous smile of a child.  It mesmerizes within the dramatic flair of artistic expression.  Creativity jives with the beat of the drums or glides on the strains of the violin.  If you live in expectation...Creativity will come!

4.  Creativity is Invigorated by a Sabbath Rest.

I realized, only recently, that my understanding of the Sabbath was very shallow and misguided.  Earlier this year,  I picked up a fascinating book by a Jewish Rabbi, Rabbi Daniel Lapin called "Thou Shalt Prosper.  Ten Commandments for Making Money." 

In one section of the book,Rabbi Lapin writes about Consecrating Time for Forecasting and the power of being able to understand the soft, subtle signals that coming events send into the future.  According to Lapin, the reason we miss these signals is because we have neglected the necessary quiet time to take note of them.  To hear these muted messages, we must be willing to block out noise.  Only then will we be able to hear the soft and quick tread of rapidly approaching trends. 

Lapin writes: "the practice of Sabbath...a day of rest may seem to be governed by primitive rules, but its effect is to "create a tranquil oasis" in time and space from which the future can be effectively contemplated.  For 25 hours each week, Jews are required to put aside all work-related objects and activities ....It is a regular weekly period of time during which their beings are set on "receive mode" rather than "transmit mode."

When I think about the frenzy that characterizes so much of the real estate experience, I wonder if we'd be much more effective if we worked in ways that enhanced rather than depleted creative momentum.  The average Realtor prides him/herself in being easily and continually accessible.  Downtime is often spent under the dull spell of a droning television set.  Open Houses are routinely scheduled for weekends and vacations are preceded by a whirlwind of activity to wrap things up before we leave. A flurry of appointments and emergencies are scheduled for when we return.  

May this be one reason that as an industry, we've missed some important messages that the market sent us and have found ourselves scrambling to react to trends rather than leading the way to creative solutions?  Perhaps, we have been so busy being busy that we've neglected the vitally important discipline of being quiet enough to observe, understand and then respond appropriately. 

Perhaps in failing to listen and quiet our collective heart and spirit, we have forged ahead without the strength of vision which only comes when you catch your breath, stand still and absorb the messages being transmitted to you.  You might think ...We can't possibly afford to do this...things are moving way too fast.  I challenge you with what me seem to be an absurdity...Perhaps there is too much at stake not to! 

*Editorial note:  This blog post was started some time ago...my day today was far more hectic. :)

*photographs of dandelions are courtesy of Dawn Endico on flickr

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