Expanding Self-Expression Through Embracing the Ordinary and Non-Ordinary

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The Creative Present

Joshua Townshend

38 episodes

1 day ago

Welcome to The Creative Present. This show is about expanding your creative self-expression. And, at the same time getting your projects done. JoshuaTownshend.com We start the work by being present. Present to yourself, your process, your current creative project. The first step is always to be present, so you can do the most potent and impactful work. To do this you will want to deepen the following; yourself, your senses, your inner space, your thoughts, your feelings, and your impeccable intention. All while being present to your own creative impulse in the here and now. Working with customized techniques to help your creative development and process. You have so many skill sets that were born with and talents that are innate to you. We need to capitalize on these traits first. After that, then you can stretch yourselves as a creative. Develop more layers and facets to your work, your projects, and yourself. On a project level, the main work is about the story, because the story is always at the heart of what we do. Awareness, sense, and sensibility development is foundational. Getting in touch with who you are and where you're going is key if you wish to consciously create. These aspects of the creative process tend to be cast aside while working on projects. While side-stepping these phases can be alluring in the short-term, it will wind up costing you more in the long term. What you are working on here is a merging of the states of awareness as a creative. Along with the proper tools and techniques for the project that you're working on. This work amalgamates towards one cohesive end. Helping you to complete your projects. Then, get that project out into the world while maintaining your creative development. We all need to break old habits that are not in our best interest, creatively speaking. These old paradigms include; not completing, not starting, getting stuck halfway through, not putting our projects and ourselves out into the world. We all have a propensity towards at least one of these dynamics. We want to cultivate a new habit. This cycle of creation we are about to talk about has been around for millennia. It is a cycle that's based on the natural world, which has three distinct phases: Create, Release, Relax. We create something, we release it into the world, then relax. This cycle is in the natural world. You can see it everywhere. In the microcosm, we do it every single day, every moment of our lives, it is - breathing. When you breathe, there are the same three phases. You create a breath, you release the breath, and then you have a little moment of relaxation. Then, the next cycle repeats itself. With this kind of natural process, there is no time, there's timing, there's no force, there is a state of being. Some of the practical tools and tips are only there to serve you to get you through the next phase of development. The state of awareness and deepening your creativity is a continual development phase. There are no know limits. When deep in your creative process, you can go beyond what you are working on. You will have the ability to delve deep into your consciousness and experience the creative self in a new way. We are always working on both priorities at the same time. Consciously creating the foundational sense and sensibilities as creatives. And at the same time - getting projects completed and out into the world. They might appear to be the classic pair of opposites pulling against each other. From another perspective, they are complementary. Both aspects are asking for expansion and contraction at different times. To birth a baby you will need to have both expansion and contraction. To birth your new creative self, the pair of these opposites is essential. Key Words: alchemy, conscious creation, creative writing, screenplays, story, character development, acting, performing

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Expanding Self-Expression Through Embracing the Ordinary and Non-Ordinary | EP.035

The Creative Present

9 minutes 52 seconds

1 year ago

Expanding Self-Expression Through Embracing the Ordinary and Non-Ordinary | EP.035

Today, we'll explore how moving from the ordinary to the non-ordinary can unlock new creative possibilities.

From Patterns to Chaos to Growth

We all live in patterns. As creatives, we have routines, habits, and ways of approaching our craft. These patterns are essential—they help us navigate the complexities of storytelling, character development, and the creative process. However, staying too long in the same pattern can limit growth. That's where the magic of breaking patterns comes into play.

When we consciously break a pattern, whether it's a habitual way of thinking, creating, or even something as simple as breathing or moving, we enter a period of chaos. And chaos, while destabilizing, is where true transformation happens. It's the space between the old and the new. As artists, that in-between place, filled with openness and possibility, is where creativity flourishes.

Embracing Chaos with Excitement

I recently talked with someone who asked, "Don't you feel anxious or destabilized when you break these patterns?" My answer was simple: I enjoy it. I embrace those moments of uncertainty and excitement. It's a process I've come to love because it leads to creative and personal breakthroughs.

There was one exception, though. I once pushed myself a bit too far with a breathing exercise—going beyond my limits in pranayama (a yogic breathing technique)—and had to take half a day to re-center. But even then, the experience taught me the importance of boundaries, limits, and knowing when to rest. That's part of the creative process, too.

The Power of Non-Ordinary Actions

Lately, I've been reflecting on some simple ways I break patterns in my life. It doesn't have to be dramatic—sometimes, it's as simple as breathing differently. On average, we take in 6 to 12 breaths per minute. But what happens when you slow that down to just one breath per minute? You step into the non-ordinary, creating space for new awareness and perception.

Or take walking. Most of us naturally walk forward, so I asked myself, "What if I walked backward?" By doing this consistently, I'm not just reversing my movement—I'm opening up new sensory experiences, expanding my perception, and breaking out of the ordinary.

Even something as small as which leg you use to step up onto a curb can be a place to experiment. I noticed that I always used my right leg, so I started consciously using my left leg. These small, non-ordinary actions are ways to cultivate awareness, and in turn, they open up creative possibilities.

40 Days of Exploring Place and Presence

Now, I'm taking this concept of breaking patterns even further. Starting on the Fall Equinox, I'm embarking on a 40-day challenge. Each day, I'll go to a new location—a place I've never been before—or, if it's somewhere I've visited, I'll treat it as if it's entirely new.

The goal? Experience each place with a fresh perspective and a heightened sense of presence. Places hold history, resonance, and energy. By being present in a space, we can tap into those vibrations and connect more deeply with our surroundings.

The Random Journey: Using the Randonautica App

One tool I'll be using during this 40-day journey is the Randonautica app. This app uses a random number generator to provide coordinates for new locations. I spoke with one of the app's creators and am excited to experiment with it by visiting five different places in a single day. It's a chance to layer experiences, challenge perceptions, and explore the concept of place as a character.

Place as Character, Character as Place

There's an old saying that "place is character, and character is place." We often overlook the history and resonance of places, especially in our fast-paced, modern lives. Indigenous cultures have long recognized the sacredness of place, and I think there's something powerful we can learn from that.

For instance, we memorialize the event when a tragedy happens by marking the place. Even if a building is torn down, its energy and history remain. We must honor that, both in life and in our creative work. The place profoundly impacts character, story, and the creative process.

Crossing Thresholds: Embracing Change

Every time you cross a threshold, something shifts—stepping through a door or transitioning into a new creative phase. These moments of crossing over bring change, not only externally but internally. Our thoughts, feelings, and breathing patterns adjust to our new space.

As we move through the Equinox, a time of balance and change, I encourage you to embrace these shifts. Explore new places, break old patterns, and allow yourself to move beyond the ordinary.

Join Me on the Journey

Thank you for joining me in exploring breaking patterns, embracing chaos, and deepening your creative process. If you're inspired by what you've heard, I invite you to take up one of these approaches to support your creative life.

Together, we can continue to explore the unknown, expand our creative possibilities, and grow beyond the ordinary.

Let's see what new discoveries await.

Stay curious, stay creative.

The Creative Present