Welcome to Creative Catalyst’s first blog entry!  Before we delve into other topics, I think it’s important, and fun, to get to know each other a little better.  Here’s a bit about me:

My early years were spent in the mid-west – Wisconsin – on a lake in a large Irish Catholic family with 6 brothers.  Doors weren’t locked and everyone knew everyone’s business.  Adults were adults and children wanted to be adults.  An interesting world.  As a little girl I would play dress up and tell stories and play all the characters.  The dining room table could be opened to make a puppet stage, stairs became the grand entrance, pillows made strong walls for a fort – to protect or defend or attack!  There were summer evenings on the porch listening to my dad tell us stories, or recite poetry.  I was able to go out the doors of my house and explore the world freely.  My bike took me further than my feet and eventually the car further than the bike.  The richest journeys, for me, were into the world of books and my imagination.

Why write about this?  Because the past and my experience of it are the riches that I dive into to do my art.  Today I am a director and an actor because of my rich history and because I believe that is what makes me alive and passionate.  I go back to my history, not to blame or feel put upon, oh no!  I go back to expand my creative energies, to express and explore and be greater than any of those memories.  For they are memories and only memories.  Today, I want you to think about all the wonderful mysteries and secrets you may hold from your history.    I believe that, like me, you can draw on this history and make your life rich with creation.

Following is an exercise you can try:

• Write down 3 vivid memories that bring you joy
• Write down 3 vivid memories that make you uncomfortable
• Tell the story of one the above – as long or as briefly as you choose.  Use any format you want to – writing, painting, song, poetry, collage………….

Remember that the above work is done quickly – trust your first thoughts.  Just write them down, no judgment just write.  See what happens.  Would love to hear from you about your discoveries.  Share your stories in the comments section below.

See you next month!