What is hope? Is it a feeling? A force? Or could it be something as simple as the picture of a bright future? From Parade magazine comes the story of self-made millionaire, Eugene Land, who greatly changed the lives of a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. Though located near the more affluent areas of New York City, East Harlem is notorious for its violent crime rates and poor education.
Mr. Lang was asked to speak to 59 sixth-graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would surely drop out of school? He wondered how he could get these predominantly black and Puerto Rican children even to look at him.
Scrapping his notes, he decided to speak to them from his heart. “Stay in school, and I’ll help pay the college tuition for every one of you.” In that moment, their lives changed. For the first time they had HOPE. One student said, “I had something to look forward to. It was a golden feeling.” Nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school!
For these young students, the promise of an education provided a picture of a new outcome for their lives! Instead of facing the harsh reality that they would spend their lives on the NYC streets, struggling like most of their friends, they now had opportunity to break their financial and educational barriers and to rise to a new future! http://bit.ly/1cufu9O
Thinking is central to creativity! Our mentor, Dr. TL Osborn, famous missionary statesmen, instilled in my husband and I the importance of deliberate thought! Most people drift through life allowing others to think for them. Some people wake up in the morning and resolve to think for the day, yet others awake and decide to think for the week. But the REAL WINNERS in life resolve to think for a whole month and even dare to target innovative and inventive ideas.
If we do not anticipate change or the potential limitation found in daily routine, the normalcy of life can limit our creative thought! You might be faced with unanticipated problems or crisis scenarios. Creative thinking allows us to anticipate future problems, resolve existing crises, and develop new solutions for life!
In my “10 Ideas for Creativity” workbook, which I encourage you to download today, we explore concepts to stimulate creative thought.
Do you realize that you have God implanted creativity sensors? Fundamental to creative thought is an awareness of the 5 senses – smell, sight, touch, hearing and taste! Stimulation of the 5 senses is a powerful tool in developing creative thought!
Did you know that the sense of smell is located in the part of the brain that effects emotions, memory and creativity? Aromas such as vanilla and cinnamon are known to stimulate creativity. A trip to the market could open up a world of creative thought for you today!
Do you recognize that color can promote feelings of creativity, enhance the power of focus or stimulate a sense of urgency? Color has significant meaning in religious and meditative thought.
What about sound? Are you aware that ambient music can improve creativity? According to the Journal of Consumer Research, ambient sound levels ranging from 50 to 70 decibels can increase creative productivity. These moderate sound levels stimulate the mind to activity. This is not an exercise in turn-up-the-music-as-loud-as-possible, but rather an exercise in creating a mood that will cause your thoughts to flow.
Have you tapped into the spiritual aspect of your creativity? I am not simply talking about an awareness that God gave you 5 senses, I am referring to divine empowerment by God!
God is a partner in our labor working things together for us. What a pleasure it is to trust in HIM, knowing that He is working behind the scenes on our behalf!
Change surrounds each one of us because of difficulties in this natural world. However, in this time of transition we use our faith and our passion to latch on to God’s will, and connect to the wealth that is available for transfer into the hands of those in the kingdom of God.
We are not down and defeated without hope or alternatives, but we are UP…expectant and dreaming of new possibilities in changing times!
Scripture: Romans 8:28
Have you ever considered who designed the universe? Have you ever pondered that like God, you were made for good with an ability to create? You and I are created to be hooked up to the greatest factory of ideas that ever existed!
We were created in the image of the One who has a supernatural reservoir of inspired possibilities. Like God, the Creator of the universe, we have a voice, words, ideas and an ability to dream and communicate. We were fashioned for fellowship with the Creator of the universe and we were gifted to be creators ourselves! http://bit.ly/1GCCBcy
When God gives you a dream He gives you a partnership to go along with that dream! You can’t go it alone – any dream worth accomplishing requires people in order to accomplish it.
“But I never have good success working with people!” you might say. In reality, as long as there are people on this earth you will always have problems! The real opportunity before you is to learn to lead people, and learn to anticipate problems. You can’t go it alone! Isolation is the enemy of many a dream and the elephant in the room for many a dreamer.
You don’t need an audience cheering you on, but one friend, one associate can certainly provide ample encouragement when you face life’s struggles. You need a DREAM TEAM that will support you as you move forward! http://bit.ly/1aRE8jT
How do you build your dream team? Before considering a new team member, here are a few questions to ask:
-Does the person I am considering for my team believe in my ability to succeed?
-Does this potential team member respect me, the vision and the existing team?
-Do their skills complement mine?
-Is this person emotionally responsible for their intents and actions?
-Do they have initiative?
-Do they positively energize me and the team?
-Do we have fun together when we dream together?
If your new team member meets these standards, then I believe you are on the right path!
What questions should you ask as you craft your vision statement? Let’s think about this for a moment. Your ability to attract the talent required to complement your strengths is key in initiating your vision! Why? Your vision statement is where you invite people to participate and associate.
A BIG DREAM is exciting and provides harbor for like-minded individuals. A big dream, however, is not enough to attract people. A big dream requires clarity to convince people of your potential and initiate confidence that you can be trusted! Not only must your dream make room for others, it must provide clarity! Your vision statement will identify the problem you wish to address, challenge the status quo, and illuminate a direction! http://bit.ly/1anAkq5
As you embark upon your dream remember these four words: WORK, WORSHIP, REST & PLAY.
Work routines provide healthy self-esteem and a confidence that your dream is well underway. Worship is our expression to God for all that He has done in creating and preparing us for the life ahead. Worship helps us acknowledge that a source greater than ourselves is gently guiding and strengthening us each day.
Rest is the time required to recharge our physical and mental capabilities. We are complex beings that have a spirit, live in a body and function through our mind, will and emotions. Rest recharges our spiritual, physical and emotional energy.
My last encouragement is to remind you to PLAY! Allowing ourselves to play opens up a child-like spirit of creativity allowing us to dream as only a child can do. Go for a swing! Play! Ride the local carousel! Treat yourself to an ice cream! Tap into the supernatural reservoir of joy and energy that is resonant within!
Most dreams are not lost to economic circumstance or unbelief, but time without evidence of fulfillment brings discouragement. Discouragement is the precursor to confusion, and confusion will only undermine self-confidence. Hope deferred makes the heart sick.
Remember: Let time work for you by developing, training, practicing, praying and rehearsing. Develop a daily routine that will help you accomplish your life’s goals. Take a few minutes and ask yourself these questions:
- What is the most important habit I can establish in order to reach my desired dream?
- What morning routines should I establish in order to be highly productive each day?
- What is my most productive time of the day? When should I tackle my creative or administrative tasks?
