My friend in new media, CC Chapman, wrote an excellent post over at his Managing the Gray site today that I simply HAD to share with you.

Contemplating Creativity: Managing the Gray

It talks about creativity, and it really got me thinking again. I’ve found that I look forward to the spring more an more each year. It affords me the opportunity to find times to re-energize, refocus, and regain that creative side that gets closed in during the cold, chaotic months of winter. Today is the first day of spring (in an astronomical sense), and the ability to enjoy these pleasant, sunny days gives me more energy than 10 caffeine drenched energy drinks ever could. Watching the reawakening of creation, the ability to sit down, listen to the birds sing, and simply clear my mind does wonders. With the ever increasing chaos of life, finding these times becomes vital to my creativity and overall mental health.

As I mentioned in the slew of awesome comments:

“We’re so geared to DOING that we can’t allow ourselves to simply let go. That’s why I love heading out to nature. I CAN let go and allow creativity to come back. Its at those times when I’m not DOING that I get the most done. “

Our lives are stressful and booked solid these days. Even our vacations get filled with DOING, and we return needing a vacation from our vacation. When was the last time you intentionally took the time to simply get away with no agenda? It could be for a week, a day, or even a half hour. When did you intentionally get away, forget about the next thing on the to-do list or on the schedule, and simply listen? No agenda, no plans, no worries. If you are feeling burnt-out, stagnant, or ineffective I encourage you to intentionally find some time to get away. You’ll find that in those times of NOT DOING, you’ll get the most done.