Tuning In: The Moment of Creative Reception

Ideas and inspiration are constantly moving in and around us.

One moment we’re loading the dishwasher. 

The next, a fully formed poem arrives.

Or a song.

Or a teaching.

Or a seed in the form of a phrase or image or idea.

When this happens, we have a choice.

We can capture it.  Or we can let it go.

I believe we are conduits.

I believe we are channels through which creativity flows.

I don’t think the creative impulse (i.e. the seed of an idea or inspiration) is self-generated.  I think it is received.

And I like the idea that, as poet and professor David Bottoms has said, we are like radio antennas that can intercept and transmit that signal.

Why else do we go to a play, concert, speech, movie, poetry reading or art exhibit and walk away refreshed and inspired?

Why else do we read a great book or listen to a great song and want to write or compose something?

Why else do we find ourselves out for a walk or doing household chores when an idea hits?

Our encounters with the creative move us to want to create.

Have you ever wondered why this is the case?

What I love about this idea of creativity is it means we have a responsibility.

We have the ability and opportunity to receive the creative impulse, capture it, craft it into something, and share it with others so they can receive it.

We receive to give so that others can receive.

I like that.

So are you tuned in?

Are you receptive to the creative impulse?

And, once that idea or inspiration arrives, are you ready to capture it, craft it and share it with others?

I sure hope so.

(photo by Hytok on Flickr)

Keitharsis is a blog about creativity, roots & the portfolio life.  It is written for writers, artists and Creatives.  New essays are published each Tuesday and Thursday.

Comments

[LarryTheDeuce]

When I first started blogging, I wondered if I would have enough ideas to write a post or two a week. Now I have a backlog of ideas, plus two ideas for books. I think the more you tune-in, the easier it gets.

[Michael Perkins]

Always ready.

Pen and paper.

Evernote on my phone or iPad.

The tools are there for sure. I'm constantly writing things down or if I'm driving and I hear a lyric that moves me I'll have my wife write it too.

I like the idea of being a conduit. In fact, that's how I feel about God. I'm a conduit that He flows through for others.

[Keith Jennings]

Larry,

Ever wondered why that's the case? I have. It's as if the source of all this creativity is looking for folks to be open and ready to receive. And when it finds us, when we plug into it, we're like a power tool being plugged into a live electrical socket.

[Keith Jennings]

Michael,

Conduits play a very important role in society. Even though they're taken for granted and invisible, our society and culture are what they are because they bring water and electricity FROM a source to us.

Therefore, more people get access to the source.

[Eileen]

"We can capture it, or we can let it go" Yes! If we just take the time to go deeper with a thought or idea then it leads us someplace else. I wonder how many I've missed out on because I chose to keep filling the dishwasher instead of writing it down?

[Keith Jennings]

I hear you, Eileen! Out of pure laziness, I've let many go.

The good news (and practical application) is we can practice this like we practice the piano. If we work at it, we can have more to share with others. Just like Larry writes above.

[Adrian W.]

What's funny is that I pulled up this page to read this post, but I went to make a cup of coffee first. As I was making it, a great idea for a blog post came to me, and I was stoked! Now I can't wait to run with it!

[Keith Jennings]

I love it, Adrian!!! It's a strange thing, isn't it?

Hey click on the word "dishwasher" in the second line (above). Then scroll to the bottom of that post and click the word "here" in the last line and read Dr. Weinschenck's article on the science behind why this happens. (It will give you an excuse to get more cups of coffee!)

Also...email me a link to your post (once it's live) and I'll post it on my Facebook page with the back story.

[Bethrago]

You are so right about welcoming the inspiration and be willing to be "interrupted" throughout your day. I find the more consumed I am with the menial tasks of my life, the more my creativity is forced. Great post!

[Keith Jennings]

Great to hear from you, Elizabeth! This ties to my thinking on harmony vs. balance. The reason I'm attracted so much to harmony is that it gives us a model and metaphor for understanding our role when we're not the root or source.

And when we're not the root/source, we must align ourselves (i.e. harmonize) with those root creative impulses that present themselves WHEN they present themselves.

After all, its not about us, right?

[Jason Vana]

I've seen time and again that when I actually capture a creative idea and follow through with it, God uses it to bless others. It's why I keep a small moleskin notebook with me wherever I go. Allows me to capture those ideas more readily.

[Keith Jennings]

Jason,

And not only that, I'm betting that the creative ideas keep coming, right?

I think that once that source finds those who are open to receiving its "primal warblings" - to point to Ralph Waldo Emerson - the ideas and inspiration keep coming. Although they don't come how and when WE want it. Rather how and when the source wants to offer something to us.

[A.J. Wagoner]

Hahaha...epic!

I always find myself driving when poems start flowing. I can never get them down, so I just use them as prayers to God and keep them between He and I with the belief that when He calls me home, then He will have a collection of all those unwritten poems, stories, ideas...

I did get this one down last night: ajwagoner.theworldrace.org/ after watching a video someone posted thoughts and words He gave me while I traveled came back up! Glad I stayed up to write them down!

[Keith Jennings]

AJ,

I like the idea that when we're stuck somewhere without a way of capturing the impulse, we can offer them as prayers. Very creative idea!

Otherwise, we're accountable!

[Rob Shepherd]

Word! This is why I have to carry around a notepad. I get ideas and then forget them if I don't write them down. The craziest thing will spark an idea. Your blog got a shout out in the comments of my blog today. Just wanted you to know that someone things your blog is top shelf. I'm glad that I got to stop by today.

[Keith Jennings]

Rob,

Great to hear from you! I use Evernote and keep index cards in my pockets at all times. Because ideas are insistent and inconvenient things.

Also appreciate you sharing about the blog mention. Readers have been so supportive!