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Full of Inspiration Nov 28, 2009
I love this book! I keep it next to me when I need a little inspriation or advice. This book is full of creative people's views and advice. If you are looking to unlock your creative potential this is the a great book to get you started. Thank you for this book!
 Partly Audacious with a Chance of Creativity Nov 07, 2009
Stephanie Gunning's Audacious Creativity feels like the kind of book that you might give to some one who is going through a transition, looking for inspiration to take the next step in a healthier direction. Consider this a chicken soup for the creative soul type of book. Thirty authors from a variety of backgrounds each contributed one essay to this collection. Their stories reveal perceptions of creativity that are steeped in New Age philosophy and sprinkled with doses of pragmatic advice.
Many of the contributors to this book appear to be influenced by Eastern approaches to the field of creativity and employ those ideas in their own observations. Making time to intentionally listen to our intuition and connect with the creative inside of us appears to be the thread that delicately strings these 30 pieces together. It is also a technique used in both Taoist and Zen Buddhist meditation. In fact, it was during a meditation session that Gunning was inspired to compile this creation!
Gunning explains that the title of the book was prompted by her recognition that it takes courage to be a bold and lively creator. Out of the 30 entries offered in Audacious Creativity, I found about half of them to contain helpful insights for me personally. I believe that another reader might glean something useful from different sections than I did, based on personal preferences. For example, when I substituted the word health for wealth in Richard Aronow's piece, his creation challenge to be and grow rich became meaningful to me. Below are some of the nuggets of wisdom that I found particularly insightful with regard to creativity.
Several models developed by contributors closely parallel the stages of Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving process:
* Katherine Scott's position that all living beings have a creative voice that is uniquely their own has led her to outline the steps of the creative dance.
* C. Russell Brumfield throws a little quantum physics into the mix and shares his take on the conditions necessary for true creative potential to be reached: concept, definition, inspiration, desire, and expectation.
* Sandy Grason draws an analogy for giving birth to creative ideas from intention to action.
* John Darrouzet offers 12 milestones for creative decision-making, which is an interesting interpretation of a hero's journey, although I disagree with his assertion that not all leaders are creative.
Some contributors present specific applications that can be carried out by the reader seeking audacious creativity.
* Laura Duksta offers two exercises for creating a new, inspiring world for yourself by making up a story that serves you, as opposed to clinging to one that stops you, and by clearing the negative energy from a situation that is bringing you down. That second exercise helps you see how a person or experience that has caused you pain can actually help you learn and grow.
* Paige Stapleton's life mapping exercise offers a guide to help you begin creating your vision.
Many of the writers for this book offer inspiring reflections on creative thinking.
* Paulette Callen's observation that doing something to your fullest capability (whatever that creative work looks like for you) takes preparation and gives meaning to your life in ways that few other things do.
* Susanna Weiss reminds you that your own certainty can be one of the biggest blocks to our creativity, because people can always discover something new.
* Kathi and Jay Handt remark that taking care your body is a foundation to helping you create a life that is worth living to the fullest.
* Beatrice Kraemer's good advice for creatives provides an eloquent ending to the book: "The more I practice being curious, the bigger my curiosity gets."
This is a book based on personal experiences shared as anecdotes - it is not founded on research or contemporary theories in creative studies. Several of the contributors' philosophies do parallel some of the research in the field of creativity, but readers who are seeking scientific evidence of audacious creativity will be disappointed. A brief biography of each contributor is provided at the end of the book to share their credentials and to lead the reader to websites or other books penned by the authors. For me, this did not enhance the credibility of the book, but helped me to appreciate the perspective the writers were coming from. This book is certainly worth at least a skim, and I will keep it on my shelf to refer to on those days when I need to feel emboldened!
30 Successful People Tell How They Transformed Their Lives Oct 10, 2009
In Audacious Creativity, author Stephanie Gunning has collected the thoughts of successful people who have grabbed hold of their lives and created their way. They are their own heroes. This book evidences that in the lives of its thirty writers, allowing a pity-puss attitude is not permitted. The thread that stitches together the lives of these creative people is: You Are What You Want To Be!
Early on in the book, we learn that "You and I are a process of continually unfolding events." Yes, you might say, but events have not unfolded in my life the way they have for more successful people. Audacious Creativity maintains that therein lies the hue and the cry which created your life events.
If you interpret how you live as dull, stagnant, unhappy, worrisome, poverty-stricken, or just plain ordinary and/or wasted without futuristic dreams, you have scored an A+, 100% grade on the Stifling Creativity Test. Sadly, it is not outside events or people that cause your pathetic attitude. It is you--it is only you!
To change, you must awaken your creative voice. Looking into your inner self, you don't have to search hard to find some vision you wish or wished for yourself. It may be an old deeply hidden idea you've paid little attention to because you felt incompetent. Those feelings: Unacceptable!
Suppose you enjoy watching TV cooking shows because you'd like to possess those same skills. You watch chefs create mouth watering wonders with foodstuffs and it all look so simple. According to Audacious Creativity, yes, you can continue to view those programs, but it is time to create for yourself, too.
You might start a cooking club in your own neighborhood. This will give you a chance to hone cooking skills while learning from others. You can use creativity to decorate your dining area in the spirit of the season, or according to your creative whim. The important thing is that you make up your mind and start. You can run your own show.
"We make it all up anyway ... might as well make it up good," says Audacious Creativity. The power of our words, the power of what we tell our minds about hidden talents, the power to love and be thankful just to be is what is directing our lives. Repeated positive stories told to your psyche will cause positives to happen because you believe they will and you act accordingly.
But I've lost a loved one, I'm alone, I've lost my job, I'm not well--yes, these are devastating situations, but do they not happen to each and every one of us? If you've lost a loved one, body-slam your loneliness. Remember the loving times you had with that person and rather than wallow in sorrow, regain your love and wholesomeness by giving it away; volunteer where you can put forth love: at hospitals, in food kitchens, at children's camps. Do latchkey tutoring, take in a foster child.
But I have no job; I'm overwhelmed--Nonsense! It is time to readjust and create a winning attitude. If you were an expert in one area, hunt employment in another field. If you have to work at Wendy's to make ends meet while retraining, there is nothing wrong with labor. Besides, with a soulful positive attitude and a winsome smile, you can make it your goal to create a cooperative, positive, memorable work experience for others.
Audacious Creativity asks you to approach life as an author would approach the massive task of starting a new novel. Let's use an example.
-- First, you accept yourself as a hero in your ordinary world. You've survived this far--not everyone has.
-- Next, you specifically name the creative adventure you will start: "I want to be a mechanic." You squarely face the negatives: "I might not make it, but I'll try."
-- Then you seek guidance from a wise one: you talk to an advisor in a training program.
-- You start your training with a lot of personal questions but you seek guidance.
-- Finally, you pass your tests and win a diploma.
-- Now you visit car dealerships and garages seeking employment with a positive resume and an uplifting attitude.
-- When hired, you return to your ordinary world but you've changed your life. You are your own hero!
I enjoyed Audacious Creativity as much as I enjoyed writing this review. Reading the advice and tales of Stephanie Gunning's notable professionals, created in me the positive feelings I've put into words here. As a whole, I think I've synthesized the critical attributes of all their feelings. The book helped transform me; it will do the same for you.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking an explosive change to their present existence. Each chapter is fascinating and extremely easy to read. I even liked the font. What will amaze you is how often its authors, including Stephanie Gunning herself, restate the same themes but in different ways. The time to create a new life is now. Enjoy
Other fascinating reads:
Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
The Secret to Life Transformation: How to Claim Your Destiny Now!
Soulshaping: A Journey of Self-Creation
Lots of insights on Creativity! Jul 04, 2009
This book contains a wealth on visions on creativity. (And I have read lots and lots of books about creativity, being a creative work coach). Every writer has his/her own perspective on it - and they all lived it themselves. This gave me valuable insights on Creativity and more. Sometimes stunning views - which took my breath away. I can highly recommended this book!!
Haiku for Audacious Creativity Mar 06, 2009
Give one day
Save one hour
Read this book
Build one hope
Take one chance
Again
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