Appreciation and Creativity.

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While doing some research I bumped into an interesting viewpoint in an article by life and business coach Nancy Marmolejo. The entire text can be found at http://www.sap-basis-abap.com/motivation/gratitude-the-secret-behind-creativity.htm. Here is the text of “Gratitude: The Secret Behind Creativity” in the author’s own words.


“When you think of being more creative, what comes to mind? Most people think in terms of artistic skills, but creativity manifests itself in a number of ways beyond the obvious. Picture creativity like a jet stream that flows all around us: when we step up to the flow and dip our hands in, we easily grab wonderful ideas, refreshed insights and innovative actions. At times, things get in our way and we lose our contact with the creative flow. We consider ourselves in a rut, not creative, unproductive, dull. There is a simple practice that magically ignites the creative juices and brings joy to all parts of life. It takes practice, commitment, and an open mind.


It is gratitude. Giving thanks, appreciating others, acknowledging the wonderful things we have in our lives.


Gratitude is extremely powerful and can’t be activated unless consciously practiced every day of our lives. It can turn a sour mood into a joyous one, make us laugh at our own silly shortcomings, and open our hearts up to increased appreciation of all that surrounds us. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out… it just takes willingness.


Do the following ritual acts daily for at least 30 days. After 30 days, you’re free to discontinue and your misery will be gladly refunded. J


1. Make a Gratitude list.
Start reciting the alphabet and fill in a person, place or thing for each letter. (If you're stuck for people's names that start with the letter X, remember Xena the Warrior Princess and my friends Gil and Lily's cool kid Xiarel. He won't mind if you're grateful for him!) Making a Gratitude List is a wonderful way to shift your focus when feeling down.


2. Write thank you notes for everything.
Have a wonderful client? Send her a card. Do you appreciate the service at a neighborhood store? Write a note saying so. Feeling extra artistic? Make your own card and envelope. Be creative.


3. Free e-cards are everywhere on the Internet.
These are easy ways to send a grateful thought to someone.


4. When you go out to eat or patronize a store that gives you exceptional service, ask for the manager.
Tell her what a wonderful time you had and how nice it was to visit.


5. Whenever you write a check, jot the words "Thank You!" in the memo line.
Even though you're parting with your dear cash, think of the goods or services you enjoyed in return. (Some people believe that this practice will attract wealth... you never know unless you try!) When you endorse a check, be sure to write thank you for the abundance.


6. Thank the people in your life who would least expect it.
"Mom, thank you for having me." She'll probably come back at you with a shocked look, but think how dull the world would be without you!


7. Thank a child for something. Children learn from example. Teach your children about gratitude when they’re young.


8. Thank an elder. Our elders have such a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer us. Take a moment to express your gratitude to a special older person in your life.


9. Write a thank you letter to your Higher Power. Express your gratitude for your life and all that is around you.


10. Write a letter of thanks to yourself. What are your special gifts and traits? What makes you uniquely you?


Challenge yourself to practicing these acts of gratitude everyday for the next month. Use your creative gifts to add that unique touch of yours to the way you express thanks.


Your creativity will rise to the occasion at unexpected times. Welcome it and have fun! “

I had not really thought much about creativity being tied to appreciation and gratitude but I am going to give it a try. I found something particularly intriguing in this especially in how it relates to some of yesterday’s post about Tesla. While he was puzzling things out in his conscious and unconscious mind it was other things possibly even unrelated that brought him resolution – “The incessant mental exertion developed my powers of observation and enabled me to discover a truth of great importance. I had noted that the appearance of images was always preceded by actual vision of scenes under peculiar and generally very exceptional conditions, and I was impelled on each occasion to locate the original impulse. After a while this effort grew to be almost automatic and I gained great facility in connecting cause and effect. Soon I became aware, to my surprise, that every thought I conceived was suggested by an external impression. Not only this but all my actions were prompted in a similar way. In the course of time it became perfectly evident to me that I was merely an automaton endowed with power of movement responding to the stimuli of the sense organs and thinking and acting accordingly.”

So I will let the external stimuli of all the good things people constantly do for me stimulate the neural network to spur my imagination and provide inspiration of ingenious and unique thoughts. What goes around comes around.


Thanx Lee, DakotaDawg, Dore and others yet to be named.

I also sent an email to John Wagner telling him how much I enjoyed his website about how Tesla has been too long ignored and his efforts to correct this slight: http://www.ntesla.org/index.php - Nikola Tesla 1856 - 1943; Forgotten American Scientist.

Mr. Wagner quickly replied:

Steven,

Thank you for your kind words of praise. In a couple weeks I will update my web page and offer my second children's book for sale. All proceeds, as usual, will be devoted to paying for additional busts of Tesla. Please spread the word to any of your friends who have young children.

Prodigal Genius was the first book I read of Tesla. O'Neill was a good writer, but he did not document his work as Cheney did in Tesla, Man Out of Time. But O'Neill knew Tesla personally, which makes all the difference in the world.

Regards,

John Wagner
Ann Arbor, MI

Consider it done John. The link for the available book is at the bottom of the homepage at http://www.ntesla.org/index.php

Nikola Tesla 1856 – 1943

Forgotten American Scientist.

Nikola Tesla - Circa 1895 - New York City

Unfortunately, this book is not available at my local public library but if I can pull together $20 from a job or some other source I shall purchase it and after I read it, donate it to the library. I am sure it could be quite inspirational for some younger people.


There is one book already published by Mr. Wagner:

"NIKKO & MICAK THE ELECTRIC CAT" with a

"The true story of America’s greatest inventor in electrical science should be a part of every child’s education.

This 48 page children’s picture book, beautifully illustrated in brilliant color, tells the true story of the child genius, Nikola Tesla, at a preschool age...

A 23-minute CD narration is included and recommended for children ages 6 and 7. Older children, ages 8 – 10, are able to read the story themselves, or listen to the CD."

Nikko & Macak, the Electric Cat, (Copyright 2010 by John W. Wagner), ISBN 978-0-615-36681-4, LCCN 2010905209

© steven d philbrick sr+ DakotaDawg 09/10/2010