Hopefully some of you will be able to watch the video and feel a connection with it. I think it can be applied to our lives and not just creating. Of course, I will definetly use some of these techniques to relieve the pressure when I feel like I'm having a creative block but after thinking about it- she's also talking about being present. Show up and be the best you can. Go ahead: Shine!

I especially liked the part where she fusses at her genius for not showing up! :) Funny. Happy Friday!

Hello HOS! Cheryl, I will try and watch it again later when I can focus and "Be Present." Have a great day everyone :).

I watched this when you posted it on facebook Cheryl. I can't help but compare her to Julia Roberts... who played her in the movie. I read the book, saw the movie in the theatre... read the book again... and just watched it last week on FREE cable. Am I bit obsessed? Cre8tively?

I often hear ...like Cheryl states.... most people who are NOT in the "arts" feel they are not creative... I feel it's subjective.... they can't understand me (but it's not like one day I picked up a crayon and could draw a tree... nor could I pick up the cello and play Mozart)... and I can't understand them... especially when someone says "I can't even draw a straight line" (I can't either, that's why I use a ruler).


I think, however, you are on to something Cheryl when you say being creative... tangible vs. thinking.

ps... I meant to say... Eat Pray Love

Oh my gosh! That was unbelievable. I just watched Elizabeth Gilbert video that Cheryl provided us today and it is AMAZING.

To anyone, ANYONE who considers the work they do art (which should be just about all of us), you must make time to watch today's video. It is amazing and eye opening and... a relief. I can relate 100% to what she had to say.

This twenty minute investment of time was the smartest decision I have made so far today.

Okay I'll set the record straight. I don't consider myself creative in the arts and crafts kind of way. I DO however consider myself creative. I'm a creative thinker/problem solver. I danced competitively and toured with a drum corps dancing/spinning until I was 21...then I taught colorguard/performing arts and dance until I moved to Texas. So yes, I'm creative. I just don't produce something you can hold in your hands. I think the issue comes up most amongst this group because our challenges are always just that...produce SOMETHING crafty/artsy using X, Y and Z.
If you remember back to the song writing challenge I won that...I'm definitely creative in that regard...performing arts (music, dance, drama) Funny because I did all three in high school.

Just to demonstrate...this is the group I taught in Indianapolis (Warren Central) the last year I was there.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1122648024045&comments&set=t.1164720106&type=1

So it is settled! Heather is creative... and so are the rest of us for that matter.

Hey Heather, maybe next year you could choreograph a routine for your postman. It will star Lily and Charolette. I'm seeing costumes and flags and music. I love it!

Thank you Heather! I do not want to hear the words "I'm not creative" cross your lips again though because I have heard it! :)

Claudia, I'm glad you liked it.

Ole! WOW - that was truly powerful and impactful and validating and so much more. Love her insight about emotional risk and being a vessel of genius coming through you as opposed to someone or a group calling you a genius. (thinking about my MFA and professional acting background) It is a smidge overboard to put that title on someone's fragile human psyche. I can relate on several different levels and appreciate the depth as well as her light hearted approach to something that is very individual and compelling - whether you work in the arts, chemical engineer, veterinarian, adminstration etc.... we ALL have that elusive creative spirit that taps us every now and then and we say "YES" thank you! Ole! We all have creative genius within us - as mom's, as wives, in our work, in our home and whatever we choose to do. HOS has opened my eyes to a world filled with such a range of people who, I think, share moments of creative genius and spark that in others. There is more to what she says, but feel I may have overstated my impressions and need to think on this more...because it is truly...bigger than what I've just heard. It dwells within and calms the spirit in a way that allows a broader range of thought around purpose - does that make sense?

Karlie, I am so happy you loved it as much as I did. I feel automatically connected to anyone who appreciated the sentiment of that video as much as I did.

I liked the simplicity. Especially the humbleness.

Just show up. I love that she ended with that. I feel like I have found myself saying that to my students on the days when they feel not good enough and to myself on the days when I doubt myself, too.

I feel like what I create is opportunities for students and relationships with them. I tell my students that it is up to them to decide how they will manage their own college experience in the same way that it was taught to me. However, one thing I always tried to do was maximize every opportunity that was given to me. Now, I find myself creating those opportunities for my students. And I remind them, on their days of doubt, just show up and see what happens. It may be on the day when they doubt themselves the most that they also surprise themselves the most.

Katie you are so right! It is so important and takes a lot of energy and focus to do what you do. Thank you!