Now that I’m back in the city, after a week in the Hudson Valley greenery, I can reflect on this past week, not to mention, the last few months and years. These two years have been doozies, with the pandemic, not to mention multiple political, environmental, and a few personal challenges. Yet, challenges have a way of teaching us a lot about ourselves and the world, when we allow them to. When we slow down and begin to notice our thoughts, feelings, and perhaps even reconnect to our dreams, our creativity starts to flow again, and so much richness begins to unpack itself. We start to see patterns and the (limiting) stories we have been telling ourselves. And with some reflection, we discern something closer to the truth, and can begin to tell ourselves the stories that help us grow from those experiences.
But, back to a quick intervention — when my spirit is tired, I need a dose of playfulness. Twenty-first century living has an intensity of “doing” that can be distracting and I’ve found it helpful to take moments to shift from “human doing” to more “human being”. And that shift helps me tap into and focus on my true priorities. More of all those reflections will definitely be going on in my journaling over the next week or month…
This was part of a relaxed and whimsy-filled, afternoon visit to the town of Catskill — and yes, I am loving the street art! 
The downtown is alternately cute and stately. Another interesting point is Thomas Cole’s home (American painter from c19th, founder of the Hudson River school), which is lovely, and is across the river (there is a bridge) from Frederic E Church’s home, called Olana, in the town of Hudson. There is something magical about walking in the steps of artists and their creative inspirations. Maybe it’s feeling their ghost, or it’s paying attention to their muses that helps us notice beauty in many things.
This was a short trip to get out of my head, and to see some beauty and playful inspiration. For those who have read Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way”, this was an artist date. I also call it my 3D time (decompress, detox, discern) to clear my mind. I didn’t have a long checklist to accomplish, just wander and admire the diverse street art. It was just what I needed and wanted– beautiful places and fun-filled art to remember and reflect on. And that loosened the stranglehold of stress, and let the ideas flow more easily. What do you do, when you want inspiration, or need to recharge your creativity?
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