Category: creativity

Finding the Beat

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The room began to darken, lit only by candles. Pounding, tapping, and shaking sounds filled the circle. My mind, which only moments before had been spinning with thoughts of this and that, focused only on the pulsing beat.

Though I had taken one drumming class last fall (and loved it), this was the first for me–an unstructured hour of making music. A form of engaged meditation, the drum circle provides a place for community, creativity, and, in a way, storytelling. Without speaking, we played our instruments together, allowing the sounds to build and diminish naturally–and together.

I have trouble meditating, and I worried I wouldn’t be able to drum for an hour without some kind of instruction or direction. And yet, the time passed quickly, the heartbeat patterns centering and grounding me.

I wonder if any schools offer African drumming for students or teachers? Can you imagine starting or ending each day with this transformative act?

“The knower of the mystery of sound knows the mystery of the whole universe” – Hazrat Inayat Khan

Retreating

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Three days. Water views of the Potomac and Herring Creek, calling ospreys and cawing seagulls, gentle breezes tilting branches in the blue sky–how could I not be inspired to write?

And yet, the process did not come easily. Under the direction of Elizabeth Ayers, a friend and I worked through various writing pieces, using strategies Elizabeth has developed over the years. At times, we squirmed with discomfort. Elizabeth pushed me to lose my “super ego,” which she says blocks me from producing. I’m sure she’s right. Words eventually came. And came. And came.

I felt at home on St. George’s Island and the surrounding area as if I had lived among the boats and shores forever. A re-visit is definitely on my list.

But now, I have work to do.

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
~Andy Warhol

Sleep

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Sleep doesn’t come easily to me anymore. I fall asleep fine. But, if something interrupts my sleep, it’s all over. And I am finding the more I think about writing, the more I think about writing. The other night, the cat decided to jump on the bed and sit on my chest, purring loudly. Once awake, I started analyzing the plot to a story I’m working on. I really like one of the characters, but I hadn’t developed her enough. Finally, I had to get out of bed and write. (Thus yesterday’s poem about finding morning to be a relief.)

I am also taking the advice of writers who say we have to be willing to write badly. After years of writing only nonfiction (as a journalist) or posts on my blog, I am treading carefully into creative writing. It’s painful, at times. Yet, I take seriously this gift of time to explore my creative side through painting, sketching, and writing.

And, now, back to work….

 

Our First Grade Writers

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The more we create nurturing, loving spaces for children to write, the better writers they will become. I applaud what the first grade teachers are doing at my former school.

Please visit the first grade bloggers and leave a comment if you have a chance. The blogs are linked on the right of each teacher’s blog.

http://fablogs.org/ckeating/

http://fablogs.org/sloconnell4/