Arts Conference

My pastor and I are currently attending an arts/worship conference at Willow Creek in Chicago. It has been an inspiring couple of days. The highlight so far (besides the opening session with the David Crowder Band) has been a session with Mark Miller.

Mark spent many years as a creative director with Chic Fil-A in Atlanta. He has studied the brain and its creative potential for about twenty years as well. In his session, he provided some excellent ideas, strategies, and techniques for increasing creativity. His main points were:
1. Expand Your World (by exposing yourself to a variety of experiences, people, and places)
2. Train Your Brain (Using various techniques to avoid mental ruts and default patterns of thinking)
3. Invest the Time (creativity takes time and preparation as well as a partnership with the Living Creator)

The first session was also pretty fascinating with Dewitt Jones, who was a world renouned photographer with National Geographic for about 30 years I think. The images and stories he shared were phenomenal. One of his main points was to approach life with a full cup...embracing the opportunities rather than lamenting losses. Find out what "fills your cup" so that you always have an overflow and chance to contribute. Also, we need to spend time with "guides" who model a love life attitude...not just people who can take us on a tour. He also spoke of art as Life. It's a moment in time when we see the extraordinary in the ordinary. His third point or phrase was "Act as if..." Even if we don't have all the kinks worked out, act as if you love life and embrace every moment with hopeful anticipation.

...a decision to embrace love and possibility rather than fear and scarcity.

Quoting Robert Frost:
"My object in life is to unite my vocation with my avocation..."

Not many people get the opportunity to do what they love, but we all have the opportunity to love what we do.

Still soaking it in...