Today I am writing about something that is a little bit different from the stuff I usually post to this blog. However, in case you didn’t know it, I am a therapist and have worked in behavioral health for many years, therefore, mental or behavioral health is important to me. If you have read any of my books, you will see that. So, what am I getting at? In addition to encouraging you to read more, I would also like to introduce you to another form of relaxation – coloring. And what better way to do so than with mandalas?

Mandalas are said to have originated in India for religious purposes. Some religions still use mandalas for meditation and in their rituals. In recent times, coloring mandalas has become very popular as a therapeutic activity. It is believed that the repetitive movements of coloring the geometrical shapes cause the mind to focus on the activity and get rid of anxiety.

I have found this to be true when I did this with my patients, and while they colored, I frequently engaged myself in coloring as well. At the end of the session I felt relaxed, energized and refreshed, and my patients reported similar feelings. So, coloring is not for children or adults with mental illness, but for everyone. It’s a good stress buster, relaxer and helps bring out your creative side. So why not give your body and your brain a boost by coloring these mandalas?

Access your mandala book by clicking on the link below and enjoy hours of fun and relaxation.

mandala-book

Writers are supposed to be creative individuals who spin spell-binding yarns out of nothing. After all, that is what creating means, right? Making something out of nothing? So you get your coffee, soda or water bottle, position yourself at your desk or on the floor with your laptop and your fingers dance over the keys like they are dancing with the stars. Right? Wrong, most of the time. You might be more likely to sit for several minutes staring at a blank screen, turn it off, go get a sandwich, come back, type a few lines, then hit the delete button in disgust. So, what does it take to ignite this great stuff that fathers so many excellent works? Learning a few tricks may help.

1. Always keep a pen and a little notebook handy. An idea might come to you when you least expect it. At the supermarket, on the bus, while driving (wait until you stop before you reach for the pen) and in many unexpected places. You may even awake during the night with an idea for a novel. When this happens, jot down as much of the detail as is available, then lay it aside.

2. Use your senses. Your senses can help you conjure up a story. The next time you go for a walk, look at your surroundings. What lies beyond that vacant lot? Why is that car parked in the same spot for the last two weeks? Every morning on my way to work, I pass an area with overhanging trees and under them are three old vans parked in parallel parking. That’s all I can see. The vehicles look like they’ve been there for ages. I can’t see any house behind them, just the trees hanging over. I wish I could get out of my car and investigate. I should get some material for a good story. Don’t be afraid to eavesdrop, but do it without being obvious. Other people’s conversation can make a great story.

3. Keep a journal. Similar to # 1, keeping a journal can be a way to unlock your creativity. Try to write in it first thing in the morning. Don’t worry about grammar or style or even spelling. Simply write what comes to your mind and after a month, you’ll see things emerging that you never knew you had in you. It could be the beginning of a memoir, a novel or a non-fiction book.
4. Read. I’m sure you already know that this is a surefire way to spark your creativity. My love for writing and, I daresay, my creativity grew out of my love for reading. Growing up, I read voraciously and that led me to begin writing at an early age. Reading can supply you with a lot of ideas for your own work, while at the same time teach you to recognize good writing.

So there you have it. In my next post I’ll talk about some other ways to release your creativity. Meanwhile, leave me a comment and let me know what you do to get your creative juices flowing. Until next time …