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Nurturing Nature: The Gift of the Morning Moon

Finding Inspiration in the Patterns and Cycles of Nature

By Chris Dunmire, CurrentLiving.com

Still in my pajamas, I made my way into my home office just after 6:00 a.m. As I slowly pulled the chain to the vertical blinds opaquing my window, I was greeted with the most welcoming "good morning!" from the blustery March winter morning sky.

A brightly-lit full-circle moon accented the sun-rising canvas sky, painted with cloud strokes of radiant blue and white. Instantly I knew this was going to be a beautiful, sunny day.

Not one to let such an image-rich moment pass by, I grabbed my digital camera, slipped on my husband's too-big-for-my-feet shoes, and dashed out the front door, still in my sleeping gear (think long-sleeved workout clothes).

With sleepy dust still in the corners of my eyes and hair a muss, I snapped two pictures of the magnificent moon hovering gracefully in heaven from my front walkway just as one of my neighbors drove by on the way to work. Fixated on my sky-scene subject, I didn't care that I was just seen outside after rolling out of bed, nor did I notice the freezing temperatures (28 degrees) sinking through my sleeping clothes. That moon was my morning gift and I was unwrapping it with gratitude.

One of Roger von Oech's Creative Whack Pack cards is titled "Look to Nature" and notes:

"The sticky hooked spine of the common burr inspired the man who invented Velcro fastener. The 'spinning wing' feature of the elm seed served as a model for more efficient windmills and helicopters. Bell invented the telephone by imitating the ear. What patterns and cycles in nature can you use to develop your idea?"

Nature's patterns and cycles are an amazing, nurturing gift to artists of all kinds. Yes, when I look to nature with the awe and reverence it deserves, I am never at a loss for inspiration. This morning's moon is a prime example. How much creativity has been generated and circulated through my being just in the last hour because of that beautiful morning moon? Not only have I taken pictures and written a reflective essay, but I've set a productive tone for the rest of my workday.

If you wish to experience more of nature's nurturance for your creative life, try shifting your perspective by seeing everything in the world around you through eyes of gratitude. You'll be surprised at just how inspired you can become. •

© 2007 Chris Dunmire, CurrentLiving.com. All rights reserved. (03/05/07) Please do not duplicate this article elsewhere without my permission.

About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is creatively engaged in life as an artist, writer, humorist, and publisher of the popular Creativity Portal Web site. She's trained as a creativity coach with Eric Maisel, Ph.D., and Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching founder Jill Badonsky. Chris develops Web-based projects and playbooks to encourage creative thinking, artistic expression, and imaginative play in people of all ages. Learn more about Chris's books at CreativeSlush.com.