Feb 24, 2009

Creativity Block? Turn to the scriptures!

by Valerie Ipson

Last week at our ANWA chapter meeting, the lesson presented focused on how we can help the flow of creativity. Several techniques shared would be difficult for me to blog about without drawing diagrams and offering explanations of breathing and posing, but there was one that I thought simple enough that I implemented it the very next morning. Roylee told us to memorize a scripture a day. Stick it on a sticky note attached to your mirror, carry it around with you, whatever, just refer to it anytime throughout the day--when you are on hold with the doctor's office, waiting in line at the bank, or sitting in traffic. We all have those wasted moments. When you aren't writing in those moments, like we've been told to do, you can memorize!

I memorized two scriptures in the few days since the meeting. They are just short ones taken from my reading for the week, and while they are not the ones commonly quoted in sacrament meeting, they have great meaning. I am grateful that, because they are memorized, their messages are close enough to the top of the heap of "stuff" that fills my brain, that I can pull them out when I need their reminder.

The first: 2nd Nephi 4:16-- "For my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." There is value in reminding ourselves what we "have seen and heard." What tender mercies have we witnessed, what has the spirit testified to us? These rembrances will help us when we are faced with challenges like what Nephi mentions in my second scripture memorized...

2nd Nephi 5:1-- "Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry much unto the Lord my God, because of the anger of my brethren." Why did Nephi pray so much? Why was he drawn to the Lord? It was because of the many trials he faced at the hands of his brothers. All would agree that Nephi was a man of great courage and faith. These qualities were forged in the fire of adversity.

So, let's stand up and cheer for adversity! Yay for trials! They draw us to the Lord! (Okay, that was rather a lackluster shout out for adversity from all of you out there in Blogoland, but I think you get the point).

Anyway, take the creativity challenge...memorize a scripture a day or a couple every few days (aging minds need a little more time, maybe). It'll get your brains stimulated and ready to create, plus you'll learn some poignant and powerful truths along the way.

5 comments:

  1. Yea, verily. Memorizing is wonderful. I find that criptures memorized are much better understood, and can come into mind at the most needed times.

    Also, memorizing hymns is great. After all, "the song of the righteous . . . ."

    It's impossible to count all the blessings that come through remembering a hymn as well as a scripture.

    Aanother thought. Memorize the scripture indicated to go with a hymn. Hum! I like that challenge.

    Thanks for the nudging trigger.

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  2. For years I served in the Primary and of course memorized the Articles of Faith. Funny you should mention this since I have decided to "re-memorize" the articles. And I'm using this technique as well.

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  3. Amazing! I found myself pondering that same scripture...2 Nephi 5:1 all last week, and spent a considerable amount of time writing in my journal because of it. I have discovered that when I start my day with scripture study, and take the time to write down the thoughts the come to me during the process, my mind is cleared of clutter and I think and learn more efficiently. My mind is open to more inspiration...and greater creativity! Thanks for expressing those thoughts so beautifully!

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  4. Thanks right back to you, Kari, and all of you!

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  5. Thanks Valeri. It is amazing how much time we can find that is lost between all the running around we do. What a good way to recapture it by memorizing a scripture.

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