Three Steps to Unleash a Creative Mind-by Heidi McLaughlin

“I’m going to build a raft, and then I can float it across the lake.”  My ten-year-old grandson Austin’s face brimmed with excitement as he envisioned the possibility of this grand adventure.  He could hardly finish his sentences as he sputtered: “And then I’m going to…and then…and then.” His joy was contagious.

The rest of the family got back on their bikes to return home, and Austin led the pack, eager to begin his new project.  There is a little forest in the back of my daughter’s house and sure enough Austin dragged out 3 small logs, just the right size for a raft.  Add some rope, a stick and a garbage bag for a sail, and his dream became a reality.  Only one hitch. How do we get it to the lake and make it float?

Austin was determined to find a way to float on his beautiful creation, and my heart sank as I watched his carefully executed plan fall apart.

His enthusiasm for this project was vibrant and I envied the energy and untapped creativity in this young lad.  Oh I needed some of that enthusiasm and focus.  So how can we unleash that zeal in our lives when at times the creative well runs dry?

Here are my 3 thoughts:

1.         Get a different perspective.  Hike, bike, drive or fly to an area you’ve never visited before.  An unfamiliar creation will inspire new creativity.   A fresh landscape, new art, varied music, food or culture is sure to inspire new thoughts and get your heart pumping for diverse ideas.

2.         Remove distractions. Once Austin had his idea, he was laser beam focused to build the raft and nothing could sway his plan. As adults we are bombarded with too many demands and noise.  Yet when our souls and mind are at rest, we can hear the sounds in our head that want to tell us a new story. 

3.         Be fearless. Austin’s plan bombed.  We couldn’t get the raft to the lake never mind making it float. Yes, he was disappointed, (I was more disappointed than he was) but he didn’t say: “I put all this energy into this raft and it doesn’t work.  I’m never building anything again.” No, he shook it off and was eager and ready for his next adventure.

Perhaps we’ve had too many disappointments, been rejected for our ideas or we’re simply too tired.  God, who is the ultimate creator of the universe and mankind, has made us in His image.  Because of that mysterious and miraculous master plan, on this side of heaven our creativity will never run out.  You never know, maybe like Tom Sawyer, your raft will float.

(That's Austin with his head in the well)

Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. Heidi has been widowed twice. She is a mom and step mom of a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her family and special friends.

Her latest book RESTLESS FOR MORE: Fulfillment in Unexpected 

Places (Including a FREE downloadable Study Guide) is now available at Amazon.ca; Amazon.com, Goodreads.com or her website: www.heartconnection.ca

LIVING WITHOUT REGRET-by Heidi McLaughlin

I attend a lot of funerals. My first husband died and I grasp the importance of just “showing up” to support family members during their grief. I have remarried and my new husband is a pastor to an age group 55 and older, so at this juncture of my life I am acquainted with many people who are moving into the final years of their life. Consequently I hear a myriad of eulogies and I'm always gripped with a deep sadness when I hear:

“I wish I would have made more time to be with mommy/daddy/sister/bother/friend.”

“I should have...”

“I never…”

"I REGRET..."

Those are moments in time that we can never recapture. Missed opportunities leave us feeling sad, empty and sometimes we are angry that we have allowed the daily distractions of life to sabotage the important things that were left unfinished.   

So I have made a decision. I do not want to come to the end of my life with regrets. I have learned to do something that I call: “Playing the movie forward”. Here is how it works: When I am faced with new opportunities, challenges or new creative ideas, I ask myself the question, “What will this look like in fifteen years?” Then I go through this process:

1.         I feel it is crucially important that I keep my life in balance. Not too little or too much of anything. So I ask myself: “If I add this new ‘thing’ into the equation, will it bring my life out of balance for an extended period of time?”

2.         How will it affect my relationship with my husband and family?  Will I be so fatigued and zapped of energy that it will rob us of precious time that we could spend together?

3.         Can I afford it financially, emotionally and physically?

4.         Will it leave a valuable imprint in someone’s life or this world?

5.         When I look back at this “thing” 15 years from now, will I be glad I did it?

In this confusing and complicated world it is so easy to get off track and succumb to the daily distractions and the demands around us. But, I was born to live with purpose so I choose to take care of my life and my heart so that I don’t feel the helpless and agonizing pain of regret.

But there are days when I blow it. It might be by stabbing someone with an unkind word or just choosing to ignore the pleading, helpless look in someone’s eyes. I can’t ignore my errors and heartlessly move on. That will ultimately cause regret. I need to make the wrong into a right. It is imperative that I forgive those whom I have hurt and then receive forgiveness from God so that I can let go of my own guilt and shame. The bible tells us that there will be difficult days. It says: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).  God sent His son Jesus into the world to help us overcome those days when we make a mess out of our life. That is when we need to look to Jesus and say, “Jesus, help me…” (With whatever difficulty you are experiencing right now).

Then we have to choose to receive Jesus’ forgiveness, learn from our mistakes and be determined to do better next time. We need to move forward fully engaged and be determined to live a life of “no regrets.”

Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. She is married to Pastor Jack and they have a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 9 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her husband and special friends. You can reach her at: www.heartconnection.ca