In response to a recent blog, The Soul of Service, in which I again questioned my writing commitment, a friend reminded me that when one is prompted by the soul to write, whether it is daily or every other day, it is inner knowing that counts, rather than a slavish following of a personality idea of what one should be doing. I knew that, but I forgot again.
It is a blessed thing to have wise friends who have the ability to help put things into proper perspective. I have all of the answers that I need within myself, but sometimes I forget to look for them or lose track of them, like car keys in the shuffle of everyday life.
There’s a whole lot of stuff that I know nothing about, but this much I do know—I know what I know. I know what’s important, what’s good for me, and what isn’t. I know what makes me happy and what doesn’t. I know that inner knowing is the key to happiness because it sifts the should’s and gotta do’s out of the mind and replaces guilt with loving kindness toward the self. I know the meaning of the expression, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” We’re all mama’s. We all deserve to be happy. We all deserve to be the very best expressions of ourselves that we can possibly be.
Some people are fortunate to enter into the world with an inherent sense of happiness that comes naturally. Others have to engage in a struggle to overcome unfortunate circumstances, or to flail through layers of cloud cover before discovering that the treasures of happiness and creativity dwell within the confines of our own souls.
Sometimes creativity gets stuck somewhere within, like that last stubborn squeeze of toothpaste that refuses to exit the tube. It gets stranded somewhere within the ego that stands strong and wants to show the soul who’s the boss. Creativity on demand, forced creativity doesn’t usually work out well. Free flowing creativity of the soul marches to its own drummer and spills out in spite of itself in ideas that flow onto paper, and brushes that take on a life of their own and splash color on a canvas as the creator marvels in wonder as miraculous results appear. Creativity in action is truly inspired, a joy to behold and experience.
The expression of creativity brings a joy that nothing else can, a sense of achievement that outlasts and outmatches anything that the material realm has to offer. It’s why writers write, artists paint, and builders build. Creativity needs to be nurtured, coddled, loved into existence by a patient soul willing to let go and watch as it unfolds, willing to allow the will-to-do take the reins and be in charge. It requires inner knowing, inner listening, and faith in the process in order to become manifest.
Divine connection with the Self is the source of creativity that brings forth the sense of happiness that feeds the soul with joy. Sometimes creativity gushes forth in great bursts of energy; sometimes it is a mere drip, drip, drip that slowly reaches the brim of its container, then finally spills over its edges and becomes a gentle flood that cannot be denied. Whatever its size, shape, form, or timetable, it is a gift from Divine source, the Divine connection that lives within. It cannot be rushed or coerced or squeezed into existence; it is best if just simply allowed.
Note: The photo above is courtesy of New Waves of Light, a website designed by anonymous individuals around the world who share the intention of bringing light and love to a world of darkness and chaos. (newwavesoflight.org or NWOL.us).
