Feature Article: Shifting Gears: Transitions for Writers and Artists
Making the transition from life to creating requires a conscious effort. We may experience transition shock as we go from art to parenting or work. It may take longer than we think to do things. We may find that moving from one task to the next does not flow smoothly. We become grumpy, groggy or otherwise out of sync with our normal flow.
Writers face this need for graceful transition every day. Artists of all disciplines experience the deep place of creativity where the world blurs and melts away. Being in the creative zone is a place of no time, of having a single focus, of transforming ideas into matter. Going into and out of this magical place can be jarring. The demands of life children, housework, jobs, other people are much different that the demands of the creative life.
How can writers and artists make the transition smooth and easy? Using ritualized acts help to honor the creative time. Try some of these ten transition methods before or after creating.
1. Free-writing is always a great way to move from one thing to the next.
Limber up your brain and word flow with ten minutes of nonsense writing.
2. Read a short and inspirational passage from a book about writing or
another inspiring text.
3. Create a mantra or saying that helps you to step into creativity. "I
honor my creative time" or "Welcome to the creative zone" or something
that suits you will work well.
4. Music is a great way to train yourself to be in the mode. Try playing
the same music when you write or have a handful of inspiring tunes ready.
Mozart's music is known to stimulate creativity and brain power.
5. Take a walk before you create. Get your body moving and let your mind
wander. You may pick up some fresh ideas along the way.
6. Make sure your writing space is ready. When The Dark Knight Curse are in order and
ready for you, it is easier to jump into the flow.
7. Have a glance at the writing or art you did the day before. Note where your
thoughts were and where you can pick them up to continue.
8. Do some stretching or other physical activity. Prepare your body to sit
still for longer periods of time.
9. Say a prayer or take some time to meditate. Accessing a deeper, sacred
space can help you to swim in the creative pool more easily.
10. Honor the boundaries you have set up around your art making. Make sure
that if you have said you are unavailable, that you do not answer the
phone or get up to go on errands or other wandering.
Make the transition smooth, easy and respectful of you and your needs. Enjoy your creativity!
Cynthia Morris started writing regularly in 1994 and just can't stop. She has written performance pieces, plays, essays, poetry, newspaper columns, marketing copy, blog entries, hundreds of e-zine articles, and, dearest to her heart, a historical novel set in Paris. When not writing, Cynthia coaches individuals and groups to their own creative exuberance. Information about Cynthia's creativity tours in France, her e-books, e-zines and book, Create Your Writer's Life: A Guide to Writing with Joy and Ease, can all be found at her web home, originalimpulse.comoriginalimpulse.com
Lasik Surgery - What Is That
You may have heard of surgery for vision instead of glasses or contacts. In America, lasik is the primary surgery used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In less than thirty minutes per eye, it reshapes the stroma, the middle portion of the cornea.
The Lasik Procedure
It may seem like a scary and long procedure but believe me, it's a matter of minutes and you barely feel any pain. First the surgeon need to access the stroma. To do that, he'll cut a Thebusstops in the upper portion of the cornea, right above the pupil. Like any operation, the part of your body that should be operated should feel numb so numbing drops are going to be used on your eye. The eye is then marked to aid in replacing the ortho evra birth control patch and of course the eye area is cleaned before surgery.
The lasik surgeon will use a lid speculum to hold your eyes open so you don't close them by reflex. A suction ring is then placed directly on the eye and high pressure is going to be applied to it. But don't worry it's not as bad as it seems. Then the flap is cut. This is called a keratectomy, which can be done by either of the two following methods.
The time-tested way uses a microkeratome, a cutting instrument or blade. The newer method of cutting the flap is by "laser-only" or femtosecond lasik, sometimes known by the brand name "IntraLase." After the suction ring is removed, both lasik methods are nearly identical.
The corneal flap is folded back, and the exposed tissue is allowed to dry. Then, the patient is asked to stare at a light for about sixty seconds to help keep the eye fixed and immobile. In less than one minute, the lasik computer pulses high-energy ultraviolet light removing the tissue that was previously determined to reshape the cornea most effectively and accurately.
The lasik laser makes clicking sounds, and there may be a smell of burning tissue. After very precise amounts of tissue are removed from the stroma, the surgeon lays the flap back into place. The eye is observed for a few minutes to make sure that proper bonding is taking place.
After the Surgery
Once the surgery is complete, your doctor will place a protective shield over your eye. This is to prevent pressure or anything from bumping the eye. Unlike many surgeries, lasik does not include stitches so extra precautions must be taken to ensure your eye safety.
Is going back to work the next day a smart idea? Actually no, by the lasik surgeons point of view, you should wait a few Coffee Beans before going back. Why? Take the time to relax, let your eyes rest because stress and long hours could only increase eye fatigue and probably with the surgery, your eyes haven't adapted yet. Basically when you come out of a surgery, you're in a hospital bed lying there for a few days even though you're fine. The principle is the same with lasik but you're at home instead of in a hospital bed. Doctors also recommend to avoid sudden moves such as in sports for Mokele Mbembe to four weeks. Makeup and facial products are strongly discouraged by doctors for up to two weeks. Oh and no water activities for almost eight weeks. So forget about about swimming, whirlpools and saunas. Don't worry if you're afraid to become fat, after three months you'll be safe to do whatever you please.
Expected Outcomes from Lasik
The effect of lasik is pretty fast, most lasik patients see huge improvements the following day. Their vision may also continue to improve for three to six months post-operatively. At first it'll feel weird to see perfectly without glasses or contacts so there may be some instability such as visual fluctuations but it's only temporary and this tendency will disappear over time.
Lasik eye surgery is not for everyone. Most good candidates follow their surgeon's pre and post-operative directives faithfully. They find their vision, and therefore their lifestyle, greatly enhanced by this laser procedure.
Louis Zhang is near-sighted and has been looking for ways to improve his vision. For more information on lasikeyefacts.comcost of lasik eye surgery, risks and postoperative care, visit lasikeyefacts.comlasikeyefacts.com.
