Are you in your comfort zone? Comfort zones can provide a safe harbor in times of stormy weather. I know when I have struggled through a difficult project and finally wrap it up I often seek refuge in my comfort zone, doing things that I can normally do blindfolded, just to settle my brain before I start something new. The problem with comfort zones is that is it very difficult to leave them once you are nestled in. This could be anything ranging from working regular hours, writing music only for a specific instrument or voice. It can even mean doing paperwork to catch up. But sometimes, when you see that next major project in front of you and knowing you are going to have to gear back up, you just want to embrace that warm blanket of working inside a box rather than take on the new challenge.

I also have this problem when I hit a dry spell of creativity. You know what I am talking about. Those long spells where nothing you are working on seems to be fruitful. Whatever you are working on leaves a bad taste in your mouth and you just want to rip everything up you have been working on and throw it in the trash. This has been going on for as long as people have been involved in creative projects. How do you break the spell?

Well, the first thing that you have to ask is this: “Am I being true to the source of my inspiration?” I know from a personal perspective that I have to spend a lot of time in prayer trying to understand why I am not in sync with my Heavenly Father. Usually, my heart and mind are just not focused on where he is trying to lead me. I find that I am trying to force a direction rather than allowing God to lead me where he wants me to go. I want to work on this and the He wants me to work on that. That’s called being stubborn and I have it down to an art form.

I find it amazing that when I realize what is going on and I allow myself to refocus and seek God’s guidance that the dam breaks loose and once again the creative process overwhelms me and the music starts pouring out. As least for me, my inspiration has to lead. The more I try to force myself down a path, the harder the work becomes and the quality drops tremendously. It is such a relief when I put my own desires aside and get back in sync with what God is needing me to do.

You have to be true to what’s important to you and always remember that inspiration generally doesn’t thrive in a narcissistic environment. If you are working out of sync, it’s like trying to write a poem about love without ever experiencing love. How can you embrace something you have never felt?

Remember, your strength comes from your inspiration and to feel and use that strength you really have to step outside your comfort zone. Resting on your laurels will never get the job done and to face the battles outside of your comfort zone you have to embrace the strength of your inspiration. It is the way God intended it.