Creativity: What kills you with delight?
Creativity: What kills you with delight?
I love poetry, it’s an important part of my life. It reminds me that imagery and metaphor are just as useful in thinking about my business or helping someone create a marketing plan as they are in writing poetry or as a tool for self-discovery.
I was at an event yesterday at my church, the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. As I waited for others to arrive, I snapped the photo above. It was a stunning morning here in Santa Barbara and I loved the look of the white stucco and steeple against the blue sky.
During our workshop, we read this poem, “Mindful,” written by one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver.
Mindful
Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for –
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world –
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant –
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these –
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
by Mary Oliver
After reading the poem we were asked to think about and share what “kills us with delight.” It’s a beautiful question to ponder and I loved the responses of the group yesterday. I also remembered standing gazing at the church and the beautiful morning a short time before.
As you go into your work week this week, think about your business, your job, you life and maybe pull out a journal to have some creative fun with this question. Being creative in business is a good thing but sometimes we get so caught up in tasks and to-dos, we forget that there is poetry and magic everwhere.
So I leave you with this short post today and invite you to share in the comments below, what kills you with delight?
Mindful
by Mary Oliver
Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for –
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world –
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant –
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these –
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
– See more at: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2012/08/31/mary-oliver-mindful/#sthash.bfRZF51Y.dpuf
Mindful
by Mary Oliver
Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for –
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world –
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant –
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these –
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
– See more at: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2012/08/31/mary-oliver-mindful/#sthash.bfRZF51Y.dpuf
Mindful
by Mary Oliver
Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for –
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world –
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant –
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these –
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
– See more at: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2012/08/31/mary-oliver-mindful/#sthash.bfRZF51Y.dpuf
Hey Minette
I absolutely ENJOY your artistically insightful posts. As someone who relishes poetry too, I particularly loved how you blended this art-form with your passion for business!
In response to your query, what KILLS me with delight is when I make a positive impact through the power of my words…in fact, my only motto in life is to ‘utilize the power of my words to heal’
So nothing would give me greater joy that if I can successfully inspire people to believe in their dreams and transform into the best versions of themselves every day!
Thank you for being YOU and motivating me every day, Minette #HUGSSSS
LOTS of love
Kitto