Last week's blog introduced the idea of creativity and meditation. This week we'll look at what tapping into our creative selves on a regular basis can bring us. According to scientific research there are numerous benefits of being creative.
According to Wikipedia, creativity is a phenomenon in which something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition, or a joke) or a physical object such as an invention, a literary work, or a painting.
A number of times in my life I have taken a few days, or even a week, to pray and reflect on my life. Before the birth of one of my children, I spent a weekend in a Catholic monastery. This revitalizing experience prepared me for tending to a new baby. After my divorce many years later, I heard of a sanctuary in another state, where Catholic nuns lived on the land. In the quiet and beauty of nature, people gathered to pray and meditate. I spent a week there in the solitude of a small cabin – taking walks to a nearby creek and enjoying Mother Nature surrounding me. It was an important time, and I returned to New Mexico energized with a number of ideas of how to make my life more internal and prayerful.
Of the many blogs posted thus far, Peace Begins with a Smile has been the most popular. Numerous people have spoken to me regarding it. In addition, as I’ve been smiling more in my life, I’ve been exquisitely pleased with the responses of others. Of note is when I go to the gym and check in—the people working behind the desk more and more greet me with a smile. And, of course, I smile back!
Because people often wonder what the differences are between Qigong and Tai Chi, I explore these increasingly popular practices in my recent book, The Paradoxical Return of the Feminine. I have personal experiences using each, and today I want to share information about the effectiveness of Qigong. Who knows—it may be time for you to begin and/or deepen Qigong practice!
