What's your absolute best time of day?We've all been given a sweet spot of creative time. Optimally, it's a daily gift.
These are our most productive moments for we're sharp and alert and right on top of our game.
We get to choose what we want to do with those precious minutes. Or wide open hours. Whatever they may be.
For those of us who find great joy in setting words onto paper, our spacious space is quiet and undistracted. The urgent must-dos are out of the way. Our heads are clear and focused, our hearts unfold wide, listening to the Spirit's beckoning.
The awaiting creative sparks have room to spin and soar, random ideas and words and phrases pour forth and knit themselves together, sometimes surprising us with the force of their unexpected arrival.
A rhythm, a flow emerges as everything that's within comes together. Fingertips speed over keyboard with little hesitation. And our labor of love is birthed, often messy and incomplete as it bursts forth. We pause to let the offering marinate, return to massage it again and again, and have the pleasure of watching our heart-words finally pull together and take wings.
As we follow His lead, this whimsically creative process accomplishes what He pleases.
Blogging. Working on your manuscript. Crafting a memorable printable. Designing lesson plans or a sermon. Journaling. Letter-writing. Agenda setting. Brainstorming some sort of an out-of-the-box project.
Sure, we can produce work at other times of day or night. But it often ends up forced or hollow or stilted. And we wonder what's going on for us. Not to worry. It's just not your best time, that's all.
Discover and embrace, guard and cherish your sweet spot of creative time. This sacred space is an incredible grace to enjoy, with the end result going forth as a needed encouragement for another soul.
For when all is said and done, it's all about blessing others.
May our offerings reflect His heart. And may He prosper the work of our hands.
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When do you do your best creating?
Linda
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So true, Linda. I find that mornings are my God-given time of productivity. When I try to be creative in the afternoons, I find I am too tired for the sparks to fly. Thank you for this reminder to pay attention to our own individual rhythms, to not attempt to go against the flow, and to accept the way we were made by God. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Laurie. I do my best work, no matter what it is, in the first half of the day ...
DeleteOh yes, may we bless others and reflect His heart. Typically, I'm better at writing in the morning but photography is often decide by the light as is other art endeavors. Fortunately, Florida is the sunshine state :)
ReplyDeleteI love how your online home is featuring your wide array of creativity these days, Debby. It's fun to visit and sit with your latest creation.
DeleteI do believe those gently gorgeous watercolors are my favorites ...
;-)
There are no longer moments
ReplyDeletewhen the stars all align,
but in pain that cancer foments,
I find I'm doing fine.
I write to opportunity
when I'm not wildly puking,
not worried 'bout my dignity;
its loss is past rebuking.
I should write of tragedy,
and sorrow at my sad condition,
but still, so much is funny,
and I consider tears perdition.
And so I write any way I can,
with a laugh, without a plan.
Well, Andrew, I certainly agree that your optimal creative moments are when your stomach is, shall we delicately say, 'settled.'
Delete;-)
Linda, I used to think I was a morning person, but when I was writing my novels, I discovered that if I started around one in the afternoon, my thoughts and my fingers sprouted wings! Imagine that? Anyway, it's still true for my blog writing, too, although sometimes the idea(s) will come to me in the morning; I'll roll them over in my head for a few hours, then the writing begins in earnest. Isn't it wonderful that God has made us all so unique and different?
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Interesting! What kicks this off, Martha? Household tasks complete? A healthy meal? A second wind?
DeleteDo tell ...
I take a while to get my mind awake in the morning, Linda. I need to not rush myself and have some coffee. :) Perhaps around 10 would most days be my optimum creative time. :) Love and blessings to you! I'm with you on your closing desires - "May our offerings reflect His heart. And may He prosper the work of our hands."
ReplyDeleteYep, I hear you about our minds taking a bit of time to queue up in the morning, Trudy. I'm not in a rush like I used to be.
DeleteI like taking things slow, ya' know? My days of racing around like a crazy person are long gone.
And I couldn't be happier ...
;-)
Linda, I am most productive in the mornings after a couple of cups of coffee. However, I do wake up in the middle of night with ideas!
ReplyDeleteOh I do, too, Pam! I knew I couldn't be the only one. Sure beats counting sheep ...
DeleteMornings, for sure! Usually between 9-11 a.m. Great question, Linda!
ReplyDelete;-)
DeleteDear Linda! Holy Spirit absolutely spoke straight to my soul through your words this morning! I have had this post open in my browser for I don't know how long, and I wanted to wait to read it until I could absorb it most effectively. God knew I would need it most this morning. He woke me up early, pouring words into my heart, and I have been up writing - not for others, but my own Excel spreadsheet journal. Thank you for confirming so much to me in this post. You are such a blessing to my heart.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I'm so grateful that God had something here for you. Praises go to Him ...
DeleteMornings for me...coffee sure does get things ramped up (in a good way) too. My writing is at a standstill so I am lamenting my need to do something.
ReplyDeleteLove, love that plaque reminding us that God fashioned us. Oh sounds like a dress or jewelry designer. Really enjoy that word fashioned.
I'm sitting here with my cup of tea so your coffee remark made me smile.
DeleteI'm sorry your writing is at a standstill ... I know it's given you much joy and fulfillment in the past. What do you want to do with it?
That is the problem. I don’t know and have no venue or motivation to write. Research oils my gears
DeleteI'm guessing there's a subject or two that's close to your heart these days ...
DeleteMorning are my best time. But I have been praying about using my afternoons better. Trying to think of a great ritual do so right after lunch that sets my heart and mind back to work at least for a bit I liked Cal Newports book Deep Work and that helped me identify to do my deep work in the mornings but I know I can utilize the rest of the day better. Just a growing edge for me. Good thoughts here today, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI like that idea of an afternoon ritual, Jean. In the morning, it seems like people gravitate toward a cup of coffee, in the evening, lighting a candle.
DeleteI'd love to hear what you discover!
For me, a good power nap can do wonders ...
;-)