I enjoy public speaking.
I know that to some people that seems crazy, but for me, facing that fear, feeling the energy of the crowd, and that intense relief when it's all over is almost intoxicating.
So, when Creative Morning asked if I would present at their monthly gathering I said yes...before I realized it wasn't open topic and they had something in mind for me. They have monthly themes that have been determined for the year and then fill in the months with speakers as they find them.
So, what was my topic? What would I be studying for the next two months, then stand as some sort of faux expert in front of an eager crowd to share my insights??? Reverie...
You've heard the word before, but do you know what it means? A quick google search defines it as:
a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
So here's the problem... I'm not a daydreamer.
I have this problem where I have to occupy every second of everyday with something my logical brain has deemed productive. I don't meditate, I don't yoga, I don't sit and ponder. I do, do, do, do, do... then go to bed.
Part of the reason I've evolved this way is trying to balance running my own design and marketing agency with being a good dad to four kids, a good husband to my wife, and a good community member in my neighborhood and church. This doesn't leave a lot of time for reverie.
So when I was asked to speak on reverie I do what I always do when asked to speak and I started with research. My goal is always to tell the audience something they don't already know. Stating the obvious and then regurgitating boring or irrelevant information for 45 minutes sounds miserable for the audience and miserable for me. So I started researching and studying, thinking of my own experiences and the experiences of people I know.
Me: Google, can reverie be beneficial for creatives?
Google:
Yes, reverie can be beneficial for creatives. It can help them to relax, to explore their thoughts and feelings, and to come up with new ideas.
When we are in a reverie, our minds are free to wander and to connect with our subconscious thoughts and feelings. This can be a fertile ground for creativity. For example, a writer might find inspiration for a new story in a reverie about a childhood memory. Or a musician might come up with a new melody in a reverie about a dream.
Of course, not all reveries are productive. Sometimes, we might find ourselves dwelling on negative thoughts or feelings. However, if we can learn to recognize these negative reveries and to let them go, we can use reverie as a tool for creativity.
Here are some tips for using reverie for creativity:
- Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed.
- Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
- Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
- Allow your mind to wander freely.
- Don't judge your thoughts or feelings. Just observe them.
- If you find yourself getting caught up in negative thoughts or feelings, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
- Continue for as long as you like.
Reverie can be a powerful tool for creativity. If you are a creative person, I encourage you to experiment with it. You might be surprised at what you can come up with.
Ok, fine, that's slightly interesting, but is it interesting enough to carry a speech for 40 minutes? ...not yet.
So I'm continuing the research, the discovery, and thinking of my life and how reverie has affected me. It's an ongoing process for the next two months as I prepare for the morning when I'll get to the event an hour early, pace back and forth backstage practicing difficult words, transitions between slides and topics, writing and rewriting jokes and anecdotes, pace some more, then go up on stage and see what happens.
Can reverie benefit creativity? Yes... but give me a couple weeks and a follow up blog to explain.
