The Gift of Creativity

Good afternoon, writer!

Your creativity is a gift. I want you to remember that. But creativity must be cared for, just like a child. Children need discipline and freedom. So do you. Discipline can be a scary word. Let’s de-fang it just a bit.

Noah Webster says Discipline is…

Discipline noun [Latin , to learn.] – 1. Education; instruction; cultivation and improvement, comprehending instruction in arts, sciences, correct sentiments, morals and manners, and due subordination to authority.

We all want that. Don’t we, writer? The key to discipline is vision. Why are you writing, writer? Is it for your readers? To share a burning message? To glorify God? Or maybe it’s a little of all of those things on any given day.

If you find it hard to answer, I encourage you take a break, go somewhere beautiful, and just daydream about the impact you’d like your story to have. Then find something that will remind yourself of that dream and make a small specific goal that will move you toward it.

There you go. You’ve taken your first step toward greater discipline.

But remember, writer, that the other side of discipline is freedom. Discipline without freedom is simply bondage. And nothing good has ever come of that. So when you sit down to write, give yourself permission to explore. To experiment. To fully express your heart. To play. Save your editor’s hat for later.

Finally, remember to feed your soul, writer.  Listen to beautiful music. Pause to savor that conversation. That sunset. That cup of coffee. A starved soul has little left over for another. So take time to enjoy—with childlike wonder—the good gifts your Father has given you.

When you do, the pieces of beauty, truth, and goodness you’ve received from Him can’t help but bleed through your words to thirsty souls beyond.

#creativity #wonder #discipline #writing