Tag: life and creativity coach Canada

What is this magic of which I speak?

What is this magic of which I speak?

What is this magic of which I speak? My wish for you to find your magic? This magic that people mention in testimonials? This word, ‘magic’, that seems to be associated with me and my work, even if I have moments that I’m not so sure it’s a fit?

Okay, it’s a fit. My memoir, Beyond All Imaginings, tells the tale of several years where being in the creative process through tragedy and loss opened the door to a realm of magic that may seem fantastical but is, in fact, true.

Rolling Stones playing on unplugged stereos? Yes. That kind of magic. Enchanted beings sharing their stories? Yes, that, too. Where connecting with family on the otherside becomes a normal? And can be for anyone? Yup. That. Where synchronicities lead to answers in our daily life? Yes.

This post isn’t meant to be about promoting my book but I’m sharing this here because my memoir does tell the story of magic and the creative process.  And it does touch the hearts, and open a little door to magic, of those who read it.
What an amazing book! Powerful story of tragedy, discovery and rebirth. I laughed and I cried and was so delighted with the magic! JL Whitehead please keep writing books!”

Herein lies my passion for all that I do; my knowing that the creative process – the way that people can access that brilliant part of them – is not simply a way to feel a little better in life. It’s the way, especially those creatively inclined, to open the doors to all that they can be, to find the answers to questions that otherwise can’t be answered. (Logic will never reveal the hugeness of who you are. It lives in the world of ‘fitting in.’)

And once that door is open, it doesn’t just stay open while you are writing, or painting, or potting, or singing, or inventing. The magic of it all becomes a part of your whole life. Synchronicities, insights, aha moments, and a contentment knowing that you are more than what we are traditionally taught we are –   that extraordinary feeling that shifts us, fuels us, helps us find our way through struggles, brings us joy and makes life a way better  and more magical place to be.

That’s the kind of magic I’m talking about.

 

A true story of creative self-discovery in 3 minutes or less…

A true story of creative self-discovery in 3 minutes or less…

 

A three part, minute or less each, activity for your novel mind!

Part 1: Without thinking too hard about it, name a character you love from a book or a movie.  (This was the first post of the day on Novel Minds on Facebook. People responded, then I added the second and third post. If you want to have a similar experience to those I’m sharing here, take a few seconds to answer each part, before going to the next)

Person 1  
One of my favorites…ET!

Person 2   
Atticus Finch

 

Part 2: What are the qualities of that character that makes that character one you love?

Person 1  

Ah, there are so many! His compassion, curiosity and willingness to discover things that are surely very different from his own home and world! Not only a botanist, but an explorer as well! I love everything about him!

 

Person 2  
He has integrity, leads by example, willing to stand alone for the right reasons, sticks up for the disenfranchised. Parents well.
Many reasons. Plus, in the movie he was played by Cary Grant… hello!
Part 3. Characters you love are mirrors of you. Read what you wrote about why you love that character and notice how much YOU are like that character. Any aha moments about this? Thanks for playing!!!
 
Person 1
Aha! We both love the “Super” Moon! This was really fun! And of course the timing was perfect!

 

Person 2

Wow. Wasn’t expecting that. I humbly own it though.
 ~ ~ ~ ~

I know… you likely didn’t get to try this right now as you read this. Even though you know the final part, you could still give it a try? Pretend you don’t know this is all about you!  I’d love to hear about your favourite character! (which, is also you, by the way!)