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26 Simple Ways to Nurture Your Creative Life

#7: GROW with the FLOW

Increase. Expand. Move. Become.

By Chris Dunmire

It was Heraclitus of Ephesus who said, “You can never step into the same river; for new waters are always flowing on to you.” The version we usually hear is: You can never step into the same river twice.

Think about this for a minute. IF the dynamic nature of a river — with its constant-flowing water and floating debris moving about (not to mention the teeming of life getting on with Survival 101 below its surface) means that a river is never the same from moment to moment, THEN couldn't that logic also apply to other dynamic things and beings such as the human life? Our human life?

Experts say that the human body completely regenerates itself every seven years, but I'd like to put forth that each of us is different every moment — even if just so slightly.

Do you think you're the same person you were a moment ago? I just sipped some hot coffee from my favorite java mug. Now I'm Chris plus a sip of hot coffee. A moment ago I was just Chris. See? Twenty minutes ago I didn't know how to spell “Heraclitus.” Now I do. And so it goes with every new experience we have and breath we take (not to mention again the teeming of life getting on inside of us via our cells, hormones, neurotransmitters, organs, arteries, and other internal matters that work without our conscious directing. I wonder where those circadian rhythms are ebbing at now?

Really — doesn't each new experience we have (which covers just about any new physical or sensory input) literally alter us in some way? Yes? Good — so now I'll make up a new quote about the dynamic state of being human:

“You are never the same person twice.”
— Chrisaclitus Dunmire

Now, let's relate this with our ongoing theme of Simple Ways to Nurture Your Creative Life...

• • • Take Action Now! • • •

You are never the same person twice. This is exciting because it means that you'll never be stuck in a rut... longer than you choose to be. You can overcome obstacles, challenges, and creativity blocks just by moving something. Failure is only an illusion. You have unlimited potential to increase, expand, move, and become whatever you so desire in your life because ANY alteration of your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual states will change you from moment to moment, even so slightly.

Test this theory. Think about where you were a week ago. Are you different today? What have you gained, increased, understood, and changed in a weeks' time? What about since yesterday?

Yes, be open to experience. Increase your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are drawn to. Shift your perspective. Move your body. Read, discuss, contemplate, express. Don't just go — but GROW with the flow that is your creative potential, your wonder-filled life, and follow the river that is you wherever it leads you. Don't mind the floating debris. That will move on too.

And let's thank that insightful Ephesian Heraclitus for such a moving piece of inspiration. I wonder if he became rich from stepping into all those rivers... well, you know rivers have banks on both sides, don't you? •

© 2008 Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com. All rights reserved. (5/15/08)

About the Author
Chris Dunmire is the founder of the award-winning Creativity Portal® Web site and is a Master-in-training Kaizen-Muse™ Creativity Coach who supports clients through overwhelm, procrastination, perfectionism, and other blocks to their creativity AND celebrates the joyful, expressive parts of being . . . an imaginary being! Connect with Chris to experience how creativity coaching can enrich your life.