Skip to main content

Guest Post: Listen to Begin Writing

Brenda Ueland, author of If You Want to Write, said, "Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When people really listen to each other in a quiet, fascinated attention, the creative fountain inside each of us begins to spring and cast up new thoughts and unexpected wisdom."

The most meaningful works -- books, paintings, sculptures, songs, crafts, a garden, anything -- are created by those who have learned the art of listening: listening to their hearts and to the hearts of others.

It is when we listen that the most extraordinary seeds grow and become tangible. They become a motivating book, an awe-inspiring painting, a formidable sculpture, a most melodious song, a bouquet of breathtaking blooms.

It is when we listen that we create tangible expressions of our compassion, understanding, love. It is when we listen that stories, poems or books begin percolating inside us.

And it is when we listen that the unexpected wisdom and insights joyously leap in front of us, giving meaning in all that we do, spotlighting on what we do and can do for others.

Below are 5 sparks inviting you to *listen* closely within yourself:

1. Think of a song that holds great meaning to you. Who or what makes that song meaningful?

2. Describe the sound that dominates your surrounding at the moment.

3. Recall one of your conversations with a close friend and write about one of the things he/she said that made you sit up, take notice and become enlightened.

4. When was the last time you listened to someone with your heart?

5. Who is that person you can always rely on to listen to you? Write about how important it is that you have him/her ready to listen to you at all times.


Copyright 2004 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ

Shery created WriteSparks! - a software that generates over 10 *million* Story Sparkers for Writers. Download WriteSparks! Lite for fr*e - http://writesparks.com

Popular posts from this blog

Embracing Intuition, Mediumship, and the Journey to Holistic Wellness

In the recent episode of "The Soul's Whisper," we embarked on an enthralling journey through intuition, spirituality, and holistic wellness, led by Krystal Parry, an evidence-based medium and Reiki master. Our conversation meandered through the corridors of personal narratives and the subtle yet powerful messages the universe imparts upon us. As we delved into our own stories and laughed together, we discovered how engaging with our clairvoyant and clairsentient abilities allows us to gracefully traverse the chapters of our lives, fostering a more profound sense of connection. We ventured into the intricate tapestry that interlinks energy work, metaphysical understanding, and the pursuit of a holistic lifestyle. Krystal Parry illuminated our understanding of Reiki, aligning it with our body's energetic pathways. We pondered the crossroads where spirituality meets the empirical, touching upon the intriguing realms of quantum mechanics and cell biology. Our discourse ve...

Art, Spirit, and the Journey to Our Authentic Selves

What if creativity isn’t just a talent or a pastime, but a sacred path that helps us remember who we truly are? What if the act of making art—whether through paint, music, or words—could reconnect us with our deepest self and with something greater than ourselves? In a world that often rushes past mystery in pursuit of certainty, conversations about art and spirituality offer a chance to pause, breathe, and wonder. They remind us that creation and contemplation are intertwined. Art has long been a universal language, bridging the visible and the invisible, the personal and the collective. When we engage with it fully—not as a product to perfect, but as a process to trust—we open ourselves to profound transformation. This is the heart of our latest Language of the Soul dialogue with the luminous artist Joan Marie. From the awe that stirred in her heart beneath Michelangelo’s Sistine ceiling to the ethereal, soul-connected works she creates today, Joan’s journey offers a beautiful exa...

The Stories for Children show 11/14 by WorldOfInkNetwork | Blog Talk Radio

Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network Show: Stories for Children will be chatting with award-winning authors Natasha Yim and Gretchen Maurer. Natasha Yim’s current book, Cixi, The Dragon Empress and Gretchen Maurer’s current book, Mary Tudor, “Bloody Mary” are two of the six books (all written by different authors) in Goosebottom Books’ series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames. The series profiles six women in history who have earned dastardly reputations. The show will air live November 14, 2011 at 2pm EST. You can find out more about Natasha Yim and Gretchen Maurer’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/YimandMaurer.aspx The Stories for Children show 11/14 by WorldOfInkNetwork | Blog Talk Radio