Unlock Your Inner Poet

A Gateway To Your Creativity:

In the vast tapestry of human expression, poetry has long been a medium through which we capture the fleeting beauty of our experiences, feelings, and thoughts.  Life can be complex and at times chaotic where conversational words cannot capture the vastness of our experiences.  Writing poetry is a way to pierce through the noise and connect with something deeper.  It has helped me process layered emotions and profound insight that ordinary sentence structures alone could not do justice.  Through the creative use of words, a poet is someone who can turn ordinary experiences and observations into something evocative and memorable.  In this blog post, I’ll be introducing you to a form of poetry that opens the door for all of us to put our poetic hats on and step into the enchanting world of word art. 

A Brief History of Haiku

Among the myriad forms of poetry, there is a traditional Japanese form of poetry called 俳句, or haiku.  The first character 俳 (hai) means “actor” or “comic,” which hits at the playful and creative nature of haiku poetry.  The second character 句 (ku) means “phrase” or “verse” and refers to the structure and form of the poem.  Haiku dates back to the 17th century and is characterized by its short, three-line structure, with a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5.  This classic syllable structure makes it stand out as an approachable format that can readily be adopted, even by the complete novice.  Haiku often focuses on nature and the changing seasons, capturing the essence of a moment in time with vivid imagery and powerful emotion.  It is characterized by its brief and evocative nature, and it is a powerful way to connect with our creative essence and discover the transformative power of simplicity.   

One of the most famous haiku poets is Matsuo Basho, who was born near Kyoto, Japan in 1644.  He is considered one of the greatest haiku poets in Japanese literature and is often referred to as the "father of haiku." Born as Matsuo Kinsaku, he later adopted the pen name Basho, derived from the banana tree (basho) that was gifted to him by a disciple.  Basho played a significant role in elevating haiku to a highly regarded form of literary expression with his mastery of form along with his depth and simplicity.

Basho's haiku often interweave observations of the natural world with human emotions and experiences, reflecting the Japanese cultural and spiritual connection to nature. His poems capture the essence of a moment, evoking a sense of both beauty and impermanence.  Basho's haiku demonstrate a profound depth of thought and feeling, often exploring themes of solitude and the passage of time.  His poems have remained accessible and relatable due to their simplicity and clarity.

Here is an example of his work (ume is a Japanese plum tree that flowers early, often symbolizing the start of spring):

English Translation:

The spring haze.

The scent already in the air.

The moon and ume.

 Embrace The Simple Moments:

The serenity of the moment shines through Basho’s poetry, but haiku can also be used to capture the essence of everyday life.  Even the most mundane aspects of life can be transformed into poetry through the lens of haiku.  Here's a playful example for inspiration (notice the 5-7-5 syllable structure):

Dirty laundry piled,

A mountain of socks and shirts—

Washer sings its song.

Everyday Haiku

This haiku shows how everyday life, infused with creativity and humor, can be elevated to a form of art.  Washing dishes?  Turn it into haiku.  Stuck in traffic?  Sounds like an opportunity to be creative!  Creativity is the key here.  It plays a crucial role in our lives as it contributes to our overall well-being, allowing us to express our thoughts, emotions, and experiences.  This leads to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our inner world. Haiku poetry encourages this self-expression by capturing moments and emotions in a concise yet powerful manner.  It enhances our ability to adapt because creative thinking helps us approach problems and challenges from different perspectives, enabling us to find innovative solutions.  Haiku, with its focus on imagery and succinct language, trains our minds to distill complex ideas and emotions into their core essence, sharpening our problem-solving abilities.  By embracing the art of haiku, we tap into the wellspring of our imagination and engage in a practice that benefits our minds, hearts, and souls.

ready to explore your creativity?

Let’s discover the poet within with some guiding tips to help you begin. Remember, you don’t need to be trained as a poet or be a practicing artist to create your own haiku. Follow the outlined guide below and stay curious as you explore the possibilities. 

 Practical Tips for Starting a Haiku Practice:

1. Observe your surroundings: Haiku often captures the essence of a moment or scene. Pay attention to the beauty of nature, the changing seasons, and the small details in your everyday life.

2. Focus on imagery: Use vivid, sensory language to paint a picture in the reader's mind.

3. Keep it simple: Haiku is about expressing a moment or emotion in a concise, powerful way. Don't overcomplicate your message.

4. Practice the 5-7-5 structure: This syllabic pattern helps to create a natural rhythm in your poetry, adding to its beauty and impact.  Clap out the syllables to keep them within the structure of 5-7-5.

5. Reflect on your emotions: Haiku often evokes a sense of wonder, melancholy, or joy. Tap into your emotions and let them guide your writing.

6. Write regularly: Make haiku writing a part of your daily or weekly routine to strengthen your creative muscle and hone your poetic skills.

7. Let go of judgement: Use this as an opportunity to have fun and give your inner critic a vacation because haiku is a personal form of expression, unique to you and the moment.

For those who may feel intimidated by the idea of trying their hand at haiku, remind yourself that there are no expectations or defined outcomes in the realm of creativity.  Haiku is an invitation to explore your inner world and share your unique perspective.  If you find it challenging to incorporate into an already packed schedule, then maybe you approach it as a way to process stressful situations or add humor to a tense moment.  Experiment and embrace the process while being kind to yourself as you learn and grow.  Give the process a chance to take root before you quit and deem yourself a failure.  The creative process asks you to come take a swim and saturate in the mystery of the adventure.   

Haiku poetry offers a simple yet powerful way to unlock your inner artist, explore your creativity, and engage with the world around you.  Embrace the beauty and simplicity of this poetic form, and you'll not only enrich your creative life but also discover a new way of seeing and appreciating the wonders of everyday existence.

I help people align with their potential. If you’re ready to find a deeper connection with what truly matters, click here.

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Creative Becoming

Heartbeat of an Artist

For the artist, there is something that seeks expression.  It is a longing, a desire and a propulsion to create what is yet unknown into the manifest world.  I didn’t understand it at the time, but my third-grade teacher was correct when she pulled my mother aside and told her I would be an artist.  For years I thought it meant being a visual artist.  I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies and Studio Art with a concentration in Buddhism and photography.  My path into the world, however, was unclear.  All these years later, after countless meandering paths through life, I can finally see my own unique artform. 

The Creativity Component

From a classical perspective, to be an artist is to engage in the expression of ideas, emotions, and experiences through various forms of media such as painting, music, writing, or performance.  An artist uses their imagination and skills to create works that evoke feelings, provoke thoughts, or inspire others.  They are the alchemists who transform the mundane into the extraordinary, the abstract into the tangible, and the silence into symphonies.

One critical component in the artist’s toolbox is creativity.  It is the ability to generate original ideas, concepts, or solutions, often by combining existing elements in new and innovative ways.  An artist who is empowered with this tool means they can think outside the box, take risks, and explore new possibilities.  They are guided by a curiosity that helps them to continue trying and remixing things, like a scientist in a lab—to approach problems or tasks with an open mind and innovative thinking.  Creativity is the spark that ignites new ways of interpreting the world and enables the conception of something novel. 

Being creative, however, is not limited to the realm of “artist” as it’s an inherent aspect of the human experience.  It permeates every facet of our lives, from our most basic survival instincts to our most profound emotional and intellectual pursuits.  Creativity enables us to devise innovative solutions and adapt to changing circumstances, ensuring our survival and success.  In social interactions, humor, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex social situations are all manifestations of our creative nature.  The ability to imagine and think abstractly is a fundamental aspect of human creativity.  Our curiosity drives us to explore the unknown, ask questions, and seek new knowledge, fueling innovation and discovery.

 A Spiritual Quest 

Since graduating from college, two things have been abundantly clear—my passion for the quest of Truth and the pursuit of self-evolution.  Unbeknownst to me, my spiritual path has been leading me through the alchemical terrain of inner transformation where art and being creative merge.  My body of work here at The Living Art has emerged from this intersection.   I have been a visual artist, but my potential comes alive in the sacred space of metamorphosis where the transcendent nature of being a living art is awakened within each of us.   This is my gift and my true artform.

The Canvas Within

If being creative is innate to being human, then by default, we are all artists in our own right.  The canvas is not external, but an internal space that we consciously create as we do our inner work to emerge embodied.  Purpose is integrated into potential because we are looking beyond what is expected or adopted due to outside influences.  This is a process of distillation and leaves behind what is original; the dimension where we all shine.  In this work, we paint upon the canvas with the colors of kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, courage, and peacefulness to become.    

 Creativity in Everyday 

The art of becoming is a process and one that The Living Art workshops explore in depth.  However, we can get started by inviting more opportunities to be consciously creative in how we show up and greet the moment.  We can shape and color our lives and the world around us with our unique blend of experiences, emotions, and ideas.  Here are some different ways to get started:

• Seek the extraordinary in the ordinary: Challenge yourself to find beauty, meaning, and inspiration in the mundane aspects of daily life.  Set a time each day to observe the world around you with fresh eyes and appreciate the subtle miracles that often go unnoticed.

• Cultivate mindful curiosity: Approach every experience with a sense of wonder and a genuine desire to learn.  Ask questions, explore new perspectives, and stay open to the possibility of discovering something new and unexpected.

• Embrace vulnerability: Commit to sharing one authentic thought, feeling, or experience with someone you trust each week.  By opening up to others, you'll create deeper connections and encourage greater empathy, understanding, and acceptance in your relationships.

• Transform challenges into opportunities: When faced with obstacles, take a step back and brainstorm at least three creative solutions.  Instead of dwelling on limitations, focus on the possibilities that emerge from stepping outside your comfort zone.

• Practice active listening: Engage with others in meaningful conversations and truly listen to their stories, ideas, and perspectives.  This exchange of thoughts and experiences can inspire new insights and foster creative growth.

• Visit art galleries and museums: Plan a visit to an art gallery or museum once a month to immerse yourself in creative environments. Go with the intention of learning about what inspired the artist and how they chose to interpret that inspiration into a manifested form.

• Read books on creativity: Set a goal to read at least one book on creativity every two months.  This could be books on artistic techniques, the creative process, or the lives of famous artists.  These resources can offer valuable insights on nurturing your own creative lifestyle.

New Beginnings Await.

Creativity is not only an integral aspect of being an artist but also a key component of our human existence.  By embracing and cultivating our creativity, we open ourselves up to a more nourishing and fulfilling life.  When we are available and receptive, as opposed to closed-down and shut off, we’re in an expanded state of being that is prime for creating art.  Not through a physical medium, but through the inner-scape of who you become.  “Creative Becoming” is therefore, the inward facing, conscious experience of crafting yourself to be the living art.    

Creativity is a doorway.  It is an access point to a more enriching life because it grounds us into the experience of life, instead of unconsciously floating through it.  We’ll begin to wake up and make new connections within ourselves to become courageous explorers who venture within to bring forth previously hidden treasures.  The true value of life resides here.  By integrating a creative approach into your daily life, you'll not only invite more opportunities for creative expression but also foster a deeper connection with your true self, unveiling the inner masterpiece that resides within.  Embrace the living art that you are, and let it inspire and transform you as you journey through the beautiful tapestry of life.

I help people align with their potential. If you’re ready to find a deeper connection with what truly matters, click here.

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Journaling: A Path Within

Unleash Your Inner World

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery can be a profound and life-changing experience.  One of the most accessible and effective tools to facilitate this exploration is journaling.  In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to lose touch with our inner selves as we navigate the constant distractions and stimulation while being pulled in multiple directions.  Journaling offers a counterbalance to the chaos—a sanctuary where we can slow down, reconnect, and delve into the depths of our being.   In the practice I’ll share in this post, we will move away from our technology-centric every day to embrace the art of writing by hand, giving our minds the space to explore and create.

As a lifelong journaling enthusiast, I have experienced firsthand the incredible benefits of this practice.  From my childhood scribbles in a tiny Hello Kitty notepad to my present-day notebooks filled with insights and reflections, journaling has played a central role in my spiritual journey.  Discovering the connection point between self-evolution and journaling can be a truly transformative experience because of the harmonious relationship they share.  Due to being externally focused, many are not used to looking within, but this is the true arena for manifesting lasting change.  So, becoming comfortable with understanding ourselves from a deeper level is a crucial component of this work.  My hope is to inspire you to begin your own journaling adventure and provide guidance to create a practice that fosters self-discovery and growth.  

The Sacred Space of Journaling: Honoring Authenticity

Journaling is a deeply personal experience, an invitation to explore our inner landscape.  To truly harness its transformative power, we must be willing to embrace vulnerability and the unknown.  Surface-level writing may fill the pages, but they will not produce the necessary in-sight for self-evolution.  It is our authentic, honest self-expression that reveals the true path to inner growth.  Therefore, it’s important to remove the fear of being honest by reassuring ourselves that there will be no repercussions for our truth.  We are the ones consciously creating a safe space to freely express for our own benefit of self-realization.

For some, the thought of admitting how we really feel might be overwhelming and trigger a restrictive response where we clamp up.  Don’t use this as an excuse to give up before you try but turn it into an opportunity to grow.  I wrote an extensive blog post on “The Power of Honesty”, which you can read here. 

A Useful Visualization Tool

Use this visualization to help you overcome such hurdles.  Recognize any limiting thought forms and imagine that they are solid blocks of ice.  Close your eyes and with each breath, invite the sun to shine warm and bright upon the ice so that it begins to melt.  See it melting away with each breath as you bring more and more light forward, so that by the end the ice has completely melted.  In this way, you can acknowledge how you feel while allowing distractions to dissolve so they do not hamper your progress.     

Countless benefits can enhance our emotional well-being and personal development through the cultivated practice of journaling.  From increasing self-awareness to fostering emotional healing, journaling holds the key to unlocking our inner potential and creating a more balanced and fulfilling life.  In the following section, we will delve deeper into the numerous benefits of journaling, highlighting how this transformative practice can lead to profound self-discovery and growth.

The Benefits of Journaling:

1. Self-awareness: Journaling provides a mirror, reflecting the inner workings of our minds and hearts.  By documenting our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, we become more attuned to our inner world, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves.

2. Emotional healing: Writing allows us to express and process complex emotions, creating a safe space for emotional release and healing.  Journaling can be a therapeutic tool that aids in managing stress, anxiety, and depression.

3. Personal growth: As we write about our triumphs, challenges, and aspirations, journaling becomes a catalyst for personal growth.  It helps us to recognize patterns, set goals, and track our progress on the path to self-improvement.

4. Enhanced problem-solving and decision-making: By organizing our thoughts and exploring different perspectives, journaling can improve our problem-solving abilities and help us make more informed decisions.

5. Creativity and self-expression: Journaling is an artistic outlet that encourages creative thinking and unique self-expression, enabling us to explore our passions and hone our individual voices.

6. Mindfulness and presence: The practice of journaling cultivates mindfulness and presence, anchoring us in the present moment as we delve into the intricacies of our thoughts and emotions.

Now that you're familiar with the incredible benefits of journaling, it's time to embark on your own journaling adventure.  To help you get started and make the most of this transformative practice, I've compiled some practical tips to guide you on your journey:

  Embarking on Your Journaling Adventure: Tips for Getting Started

1. Find a journal that speaks to you: Whether it's a beautifully bound notebook or a simple composition book, choose a journal that resonates with you and sparks a sense of excitement.  Focus on a physical notebook instead of a digital app because we want the tactile experience of putting a writing utensil to paper.

2. Equip yourself with a favorite writing utensil: Just as a painter has their favorite brush, a writer needs a trusty pen (or pencil) to bring their thoughts to life.  Select a writing instrument that feels comfortable and enjoyable to use.

3. Create a dedicated journaling space: Designate a quiet, comfortable nook where you can write without distractions.  Personalize your space with soothing elements such as soft lighting, calming scents, or inspiring artwork.  Create a space that you look forward to spending time in each day.    

4. Establish a routine: Consistency is key in developing a successful journaling practice.  Set aside a specific time each day to write, whether it's in the morning with a cup of tea or at night before bed.  Approach it with a sense of wonderment so you don’t resist the idea of having “one more thing” to manage.  Instead, see it as an enhancement to your life and something that you choose to do for your own well-being. 

5. Choose a format that resonates: Experiment with different journaling formats to discover what works best for you. Try free-writing, prompts, gratitude lists, or a combination of methods.  Remain curious with the goal of finding something that resonates with you.  Don’t force the experience but embody a mindset of playfulness instead.  If you feel stuck, start each entry with the same question, such as “How are you feeling right now?”

6. Embrace vulnerability: Allow yourself to be open and honest in your journaling.  Your journal is a sacred space for authentic self-expression, free from judgment or expectation.  Give yourself full permission to look within and contemplate what you find. 

7. Reflect and grow: Periodically review your entries to glean insights into your personal development.  Use these reflections as a compass, guiding you towards a deeper understanding of yourself and your true potential.

Journaling is more than just putting pen to paper—it's an invitation to embark on an intimate and deeply personal journey.  Engage the practice from the place of genuine intent so that it is a sustainable practice for you.  Recognize that each day might feel different and the words that flow might vary from day to day.  This is all perfectly acceptable, and you don’t need to beat yourself up for an experience that is called, the creative process.  As you set out on your journaling path, remember to be gentle with yourself. Embrace the process and allow it to embrace you in return. Explore, learn, and grow, discovering the vibrant world that lies within.  With time, patience, and dedication, journaling can become an indispensable tool for self-discovery and personal growth, illuminating the path within.

I help people align with their potential. If you’re ready to find a deeper connection with what truly matters, click here.

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