Commandments 1-5 for How to Live a Hopeful Creative Life

Here we go! The first five commandments for how to live a Hopeful Creative Life! I hope they provide some principles for you to consider as you seek to purposefully live out the creative life you've been called to pursue. As I mentioned previously, some of these are more directly related to simply being a human, but I've found them to be so closely connected to my creative life that it only makes sense to have them on this list. ​More coming tomorrow! 

1. ​Embrace each day with gratitude for the plan laid out before me. Believing that God gives and takes away according to His perfect will, I get to be the recipient of both the giving and the taking. What a privilege to be provided for and protected by the One who loves me beyond my understanding. Every door he opens is done so at the perfect time, in the perfect manner. Every door he closes is His kindness and mercy, keeping me from anything that might harm me or distract me from His purpose for my life.
2. Commit to controlling what I can control, and surrendering what I cannot. Each day provides me with an abundance of opportunities to dream, explore, and create. As I do this, very few things are actually in my control, except for my attitude and my effort. Results of any kind, positive or negative, are rarely seen or felt, and if they are, I should not place my worth or identity in the fleeting affirmation or criticism I receive. Stay focused on the work at hand and find joy in putting my hands to the task in front of me.
3. As far as it is up to me, be at peace with all men. Few things cloud the creative mind more than chaos in close relationships. If I find myself ruminating over words spoken or left unspoken, wounds I have inflicted, or conflict unresolved, I will prayerfully consider what I need to do in order to achieve some level of understanding that if possible, will grant both parties peace. If the other person isn't receptive to my efforts, I can rest in knowing I did my part to pursue resolution.
4. Engage with every person and circumstance as they are divinely appointed to be in my path. I have no way of knowing how or why people come into my life, either as a brief encounter or a lasting relationship, but either way, it is not by accident. Because I believe that to be true, I will be intentional in seeing and hearing those around me, trusting they are destined to be a part of my story, and I, a part of theirs. 
5. Attune my way of seeing so I live ready to respond to the inspiration God provides. Not a moment goes by when I am not surrounded by ideas, possibilities, and inspiration. Each day I am given the choice to pay attention to or ignore what I see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. To live in a consistent state of creative sensitivity, I must exist in awareness of my surroundings and the potential of every moment to inspire. 

---