I've long been amazed at what can happen when groups can enter that creative space called 'brainstorming.' On many occasions, I've been part of groups that get stuck with a decision or an idea. Somehow, the group begins to brainstorm. One idea begets another. Group members become free to lob out their ideas, regardless of how silly they might be. Very often laughter is part of the process; it becomes playful, creative and, very often, effective.
I believe there's a sort of a 'personal brainstorming' that's a required discipline for folks who would live adventurously. The personal space--I like the word 'solitude'--helps me to step outside of the expectations of others, the noise of the crowd, the 'tyranny of the urgent,' to think, really think, about my life, my direction, my deep longings, what I really want. I like the story about the journalist whose editor required her to do a human interest piece. Uncertain what to do, she sought out people who would be willing to answer three questions. Her first question was, "What do you want?" Folks would often give casual, surface kinds of answers. She then asked her second question: "What do you want?" Responses often became more thoughtful, more genuine. She would then ask, for the third time, "What do you want?" She reported that her threefold repetition of the question often had the effect of helping people get in touch with their deep longings and their creative ideas for their lives.
I wonder what might happen if a few of us could create space in our lives to think prayerfully about them. Perhaps we would become more aware of a sense of calling, vocation, life goals that are worthy of our best efforts. Perhaps we would find the strength to pursue those dreams, even when the desire for comfort, approval or even the expectations of others would pull us back. If, as I believe, God is a generative God, creating possibility, inspiring creativity and imagination, creating space for prayerful thought might just be one of the most important things you or I could do this week, or any other.
5 comments:
I've been thinking about that graphic...it makes me think...
I was going to say something like that, but I thought better of it.
So many times this kind of challenge to reflection emphasizes making a major change. It may be taking a new job, reviving a long dormant dream, going back to what we thought we wanted to do with our lives, or some other monumental shift. May I suggest that most times we may be called to embrace and inhabit the life we have now. Perhaps the Lord has us where he wants us, even though it doesn't feel like it. After all, we seldom recognize when we've had a real encounter until later (like the disciples on the way to Emmaus.)
How about we think quietly and prayerfully about where we are now and what in the world God can do with us here? As we ask "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" let's look for the profound, usually small or simple ways we can be His body. One example...in stead of always asking "How can we build community?", let's ask "What kind of community already exists and how can I contribute?" Often I need a "George Bailey" reminder that in deed I have a "wonderful life." I just don't always recognize it.
Beautiful.
It does seem logical to think that if we are in communion with our Creator God via prayer and meditation then we can also be in touch with our own creativity, and when we consider that creative spark we experience to be a divine gift, the process of getting in touch with what makes us most joyful can be considered an act of divine communion! I love that.
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