Writer's Block is no Match for Ray Charles

I sat down this morning with every intention of starting a new short story, you know, like I promised myself yesterday. I've been staring at my computer screen for the past couple of hours, thinking of anything and everything except an inspiring story idea. A nerdy Star Trek quote keeps tap dancing around my brain. "Resistance is futile."

Clearly, I'm experiencing quite a bit of resistance in my creative writing world. I haven't written anything in months. Well, actually, that's not entirely accurate. I have written about 6 different first paragraphs this morning only to do the computer version of crumbling them and pitching them in the trash (delete delete delete). I think I need to move away from my computer and out into my super tree filled farm yard.

I always feel more inspired when I'm connected to nature. Growing up, it was the ocean but that's a pretty far drive from Chicago. I'm going to see if I can't make do with some trees and deer sightings. They've been wandering through my yard lately, scampering off when I come outside, but it's really cool to see.

I also have a call today that I'm looking forward to, to plan a speaking engagement. While my fiction efforts have been less than prolific, my nonfiction thoughts have been swirling. Creativity is creativity but fiction writing was my first love and I'd really like to get back in touch with that.

Outside of my writer's block, I'm thinking big thoughts about why we have resistance to things that we really love. Yesterday I read a fellow blog challenger's post about her love of quilting and how she had to force herself past thoughts that all of her real work had to get done first before she could make time. (You can read that post here, if you're so inclined) What is it about fun stuff that makes us think it is less important than boring, torturous monotony that we don't get any joy from?

I understand the need for balance. You can't run around tip toeing through the tulips when there's chores to be done, at least not endlessly. Who's to say though, that you won't be in a much better frame of mind doing said chores, if you allow a little tip toeing First. Yesterday, when I checked in with myself about what I really wanted to do it the moment, it was dance around like a loon to an old Ray Charles song. It may sound silly, but that 3 minutes really helped sway my energy into an upswing. Enough so, that perhaps before I quest out into the trees, I'm going to do it again.

What are your recharging activities? What Fun things do you do, to motivate yourself to do the "important" things? I challenge you to come up with a list. I'm working on mine mentally, as I type. :)