In an intriguing question for Lent, Sally writes: I have been pondering this Friday Five over and over in my mind, but I am coming up with nothing, so I am wondering; what do you do when you feel empty of all creativity and unable to make/do anything? This is a completely open question, the only rule is name 5 things that fill/ inspire you.
Let's see:
I go for a long walk, usually with my camera.
I write a blog post about emptiness in one of its many guises!
I read poetry, especially Mary Oliver poetry.
I start on what I anticipate will be the boring and tedious part of a research or writing project, thinking that I might as well at least get it out of the way.
I sit around and dwell in the emptiness.
My own personal bonus point: What I do NOT do is clean house!
Image: Cedar Key FL, Christmas 2010. When I thought about images for emptiness, this one leapt to mind.
I almost mentioned Mary Oliver poetry but just left it at reading...
ReplyDeleteand I thank you for the very emptiest picture of empty I've seen in a long time! Inspiring in itself!
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver is one of my favorite inspirations, too. And I don't clean house either! I may organize my little craft corner, but won't touch the pile of laundry that needs doing!
ReplyDeletelove Mary Oliver, love the picture!
ReplyDeleteI should have added your photography/writing to my link list in my FF. I also DO NOT do housework or laundry or taxes (that is my task today).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Purple!
ReplyDeleteWhat good ideas. I wish I'd had you as my spiritual director when I was trying to write my master's thesis years ago and never did--I so liked the way you described how YOU finished it up there. Thanks. Glad you don't clean!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful reminder - Mary Oliver speaks to me so many times when other sources are dead and uninspiring. And that photo was perfect.
ReplyDeleteI have a little phrase: "Anything is better than nothing." So when I feel empty, I think of all the stuff I *should* do (the dishes, the grading, the writing) and all the stuff I *could* do (practice some music, go for a long walk in the woods, go buy something sweet to eat) and just pick whatever seems to pull me.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Mary Oliver knows how many women (and yes, some men) she inspires and in how many ways. She is so often the only spiritual reading I can tolerate. And this is a wonderful photo. An inspiration itself.
ReplyDelete