Creativity: A Journey to the Source

    Almost all writers experience an interruption to the flow of creativity from time to time. On January 12, artist and writer Patricia Daly-Lipe shared her beliefs about creativity, where it originates and how to connect with our source.
    As a former student of philosophy, Daly-Lipe has plenty of experience living the examined life. She believes that the journey to creativity involves the process, not the final product....
    Daly-Lipe specifically urges writers to allow the words to flow until they take over and time stops....
    To connect to the source of creativity, we also need to see the world in a new way. Daly-Lipe advises writers to allow the world to reveal itself. The word reveal originally meant “remove veil”. When in the act of observing, we need to peel back the layers in order to find the truth.
    According to Daly-Lipe, we are part of nature and the universe is within us. As artists, we have an innate ability to perceive the beauty of the world. Daly-Lipe urges us to take the time to look around. Return to the state of child-like excitement when we learned something new. “The sunset is always there, but really take the time to enjoy it. Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary,” says Daly-Lipe. At one point in the evening, she shared this memorable quote: “The world will never starve for want of wonders, but want of wonder.”
    Most importantly, we should create some record of our lives. Daly-Lipe’s book La Jolla, A Celebration of Its Past is a collection of essays and vignettes that describe history from the point of view of the people who settled there. Daly-Lipe laments that people write few letters today. E-mail is the primary means of communication and messages are usually deleted. She urges us to save e-mails and to keep journals in order to pass on something of ourselves.
    ...Daly-Lipe also reminded us that creativity does not need a purpose. The process should be reward enough. Allow spontaneity to express itself and live in the moment.

Danielle Ring, WIW Member (Washington Independent Writers)

  "Richard Lederer, author, lecturer, and co-host for KPBS radio
     According to San Diego’s own verbivore and commentator of KPBS”s ‘A Way With Words’, Richard Lederer“Myth, Magic, & Metaphor is luminous with oracular wisdom about the nature and sources of creativity.  From first page to last, this book will inspire you to be inspired.” The book was composed to do just that: inspire. It is not to teach or to substantiate a bias. It was written as a jumping off point for the reader to become the writer using etymology, mathematics, painting, music, philosophy, even psychology as some of the concepts for stimulation. As Joseph Campbell stated, 'The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." Nothing more is requested of the reader. Take away the rules. Listen to your heart. That is where you will find the source; in this case, the source of creativity.

Richard Lederer, author, lecturer, and co-host for KPBS radio

  For anyone looking for their creativity button this small, dynamic book is a must read. Ms. Daly leads the reader through an understandable path to finding your creative juices without wandering too far off the journey to finding your writing powers.
With the many exercises she includes within the chapters it makes this 107 page book even more valuable. I found this journey to writing can also be applied to other arts that the reader may be interested in pursuing.
  This is definitely a book you will want to read several times and keep as a handy reference.

Pamela Binder from Bay City, MI USA

  I read, reread and reread MM&M as there is an abundance of enriching material in it. It takes me to a different plane of experience.

C. Cook

  For me, this was a delightful and refreshing book to read. I found myself underlining and asterisking numerous phrases throughout the book to refer to again and again. I would highly recommend it to anyone involved in or interested in the creative arts.

Jane Best, Morgantown, NC

  I read MM&M in one sitting on a bench in Union Square Park, completely engrossed, and unaware of the lunatic babbling of Park denizens. An embarrassment of riches, to say the least. I really enjoyed your ranging mind, and the manifold use of citations and poetic snippets. You are a quintessential humanist. And best of all, you helped unblock me from non-writing.

Joseph Roccasalvo, S.J. author of seven novels including Portrait of A Woman,
Chartreuse, and The Odor of Sanctity plus two plays so far.

Pamela Binder, Bay City, MI

  I have loved reading Myth, Magic and Metaphor. Like a mocingbird sucks nectar; it’s been food for my soul fueling my creative process. Thank you for the gift of it.
There is so much magic in life, and it’s joyful to witness synchronicities dancing many moments of the day. Your book tapped that mythical connected place, and I feel close to you as the author, as if we have had a close conversation for many hours.
  …I completed my BA at UCSD doing a special projects major entitled “Symbol, Ritual and Transformation” that dealt with my near-death experience through fine art. I have taught hundreds of creativity courses in the years following my BA, as well as developing a private practice integrating psychology, creativity and spirituality. (My PhD dissertation was entitled “Art and Soul: Creative Process as Spiritual Path”, I’d like to turn it into a book-sound familiar?) Our teaching philosophy is very similar. Now, after 20 years of supporting other people in their journey, I am taking a year long sabbatical to do my own creative work of writing and painting full time. Yeah! So your book landed into my hands in perfect timing.
  In my daily writing this morning, a rain of tears came down my face when I wrote about aching to share more of myself with the world in my writing and art. Your book encourages me. It was fun to discover through your web site that you are a painter as well…

Lisa Longworth, Director of the Expressive Art Therapy Department
of International University of Professional Studies

   I can fly! Although I purchased this book for my daughter to share with high school students in her English and creative writing classes, I decided to read it myself before sending it. What a great decision! I read it like a novel, thereby receiving the full impact of the encouragement and excitement being created within me as I turned the pages quickly. Before I had completed the book, I was totally inspired with renewed confidence to practice being creative in ALL areas of my life, not just in my writing. I moved things around my home with abandon, made new desserts with a flourish, and even dared to tie a scarf around my neck and go out in public! All of these things were great FUN! I may never write a novel, but this book has surely inspired me to use my creative spirit as I spice up my life. I thank you, Patty Daly-Lipe for that, and I truly believe this must have been the reason you wrote this book!

A reviewer, Bed & Breakfast owner, March 3, 2004,

   I found this book to be a great source to get the creative juices flowing in ones mind. It isn't a 'how to' book. I believe another reviewer simply didn't understand the authors intention. It is a great upper for anyone feeling a lag in creativity when writing.

Ben, A reviewer, March 1, 2004.

How wondrous is life through the writings of Patricia Daly-Lipe. Her books Nature's Wisdom (original edition) and Messages from Nature (re-written edition) display her spiritual, respectful camaraderie with life. Her psychic partnership with animals is evident from her loving care for her pets and understanding of their timely deaths. You'll cry also over her father's heart- tugging rendition of greyhound racing. These soul-warming writings of her life's vignettes will invoke your honor of the undaunted spirit of passengers in Nature's realm. Furthermore, with her intelligent passion for life and understanding of Nature, elegant Patricia steers amazingly competently the ships in dangerous, high- rolling seas. She writes like a sailor, a scientist, an historian, and an artist, as her soul rises philosophically into the beyond.

Constance "Tina" Stonestreet Medical-Science Editor,
Ordained Minister, and Artist-Craftswoman

  This is Patricia Daly-Lipe’s gift: She tells your story – tells all of our stories – through her own experiences with beloved companions, animal and otherwise. The lean, wiry power of Daly-Lipe’s wordcraft compels you to immerse yourself in her tales, knowing full well that her tales are your tales. It is a fast read, but don’t be in a hurry; reign yourself in and savor the journey.
  When you read Messages from Nature’s (formerly Nature's Wisdom) – and read it you must – you will, by turns, smile, laugh, cheer, weep, grieve, and heal. And most of all you will rejoice at the opportunity to be invited along the diverse paths of this talented writer’s own journey in the unified company of empathy and compassion. The work chronicles Daly-Lipe’s respect – and love – for all life.
  Daly-Lipe is skilled at transferring her thoughts to her reader via creative imagery consisting of supremely well chosen words. If there is truth to Mark Twain’s observation that the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning bug, then Daly-Lipe’s prose and poetry crackle with benevolent lightning. (No offense is intended, however, toward lightning bugs.) In addition, her spare and precise writing credits us readers with being inside her, with being one with her, as she describes her experiences. She writes, for example, of Mr. Woodstock, the rescued pup from Albemarle County, Virginia, who adopts sea legs and becomes an icon aboard the author’s sailing craft. She slips the term yacht pup in on us without explanation; she knows we know what a yacht pup is and sees no need to puff the phrase up with quotation marks or italics. Oh, sure, Daly-Lipe seems to reason, not everyone yachts, but each of us has a car pup, a couch pup, a barn pup, or an office pup. She seems to know we’re with her on this one, too.
  Actually, we’re with her all the way anyway, so compassion-rich are her tales and so compelling is her manner of telling them. When you experience, through Daly-Lipe, the abundant truths waiting Out There to be harvested by the diligent and willing among us, you will be in possession of glistening gems of nature’s wisdom by their handfuls. “If we listen,” Daly-Lipe writes, “our animals will teach us more about love than most of our human friends can or will.”

Reviewed by Patti Cole, Contributing Editor to laJoie

  Dr. Pat Daly-Lipe is a highly skilled writer whose love and compassion for animals is evident throughout (this volume). Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom) is a joy to read and resounds with respect and honor for all life, non-human and human, a rare quality these days.

Rita Reynolds, author of Blessing the Bridge, What Animals Have to Teach Us About Death, Dying, and Beyond. She is also co-editor and publisher of laJoie Magazine, a quarterly publication dedicated to promoting human appreciation for all animals.

  I was just telling Brad that you have an incredible gift for writing about animals. Everything you write gets me crying. Your deep love of animals is so clear and you have a talent for drawing the reader into the story. Brad suggested I tell you. I think you are amazing in that ability. I hope the world sees more animal-related literature from you.

Betsy Clark, Haymarket, VA

  "This is a wonderful book for all ages. If you need a great gift to give someone, what better than Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom)? These heart-warming stories are both entertaining and meaningful.”

Devan, age 10

  Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom) is a delightful collection of personal stories about animals, people, travel, and the sea. The reader quickly sees that Patricia Daly Lipe is a special person who loves animals and thoroughly understands the special bond that only animals and humans can share.
  It is also evident that she is an accomplished writer who loves travel and adventure. I particularly enjoyed her sailing recounts as I could almost feel the stillness of the too calm, quiet days and the fierceness of the stormy, windy days at sea.
In this complex world, it is particularly refreshing to find a writer who is able to help us stop, look, reflect, and learn invaluable life lessons that only Nature can teach us. I highly recommend this book.

J. Best, North Carolina

  Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom) is an eclectic collection of short stories and poems, with the unusual twist of Daly-Lipe including some of her father’s works at the end of this 128 page book - His poems are particularly delightful to read!
  Following the tried-and-tested recommendation to ‘Write what you know about’, Daly-Lipe does exactly that, resulting in a patchwork quilt of light-hearted, easy-to-read autobiographical snap-shots of her travels in both the US and Europe, and the events in her life involving her pets.
  And, Daly-Lipe suggests that, “If we listen, our animals will teach us more about love than most of our human friends can or will.”
  Then, the inclusion of Daly-Lipe’s personal photos further adds to her carefully crafted words, as if any additions are needed!
  This collection will particularly appeal to pet owners, animal lovers, nature lovers and travelers. I use the word “travelers” in both the context of physical and spiritual voyages alike. Indeed, Nature’s Wisdom makes for a pleasant voyage on which to embark.

David Taub Feature columnist for Poetry Now, Britain’s largest circulating poetry and short-story magazine. Member of Britain’s National Union of Journalists.
Co-author of Language of Souls www.ukpoet.com

In the Fall, 2004 issue of laJoie Magazine, (laJoie and Company, P. O. Box 145, Batesville, VA 22924 (540)456-6204, publisher Rita Reynolds has written a lovely “Tribute” to me and to my book, Myth, Magic & Metaphor. I am humbled by such praise. She speaks of my having “a strong sense of compassion, intelligence, creativity, and selflessness.” But it is to the readers of my books that the best tribute comes. “…Myth, Magic & Metaphor is one of those little books that is pure treasure, the needed lift when the spirit is weary.” She then quotes from the book: “More than ever, I feel, three aspects of the human psyche need to be developed, namely: imagination, inspiration, and creativity.... For the artist, there is clarity and an order in the beauty of nature. Our participation in and with nature allows us to recognize that fact. The universe is truly both within us and without/outside us. There is nothing new in this world that is not old. All this, the artist observes and records.”

Thank you Rita for writing “Standing Tall: A Tribute”. For my web readers, please look at Rita’s book,Crossing the Bridge, What Animals Have to Teach Us About Death, Dying and Beyond and check out her web site. Also, I encourage you to look at her son, Tim’s, beautiful art work,portraits of pets:

Patricia Daly-Lipe, autor

"...you are such an inspiration to me. You write sooo beautifully and also do so with your painting."

-CC-

  "We were lucky in La Jolla. God had been generous with its proud sentinel hills overlooking the sleepy little town, its white beaches _ some folk in less idyllic environs might have viewed us as smug _ But La Jolla was our jewel.

Cliff Robertson, actor and poet

La Jolla is more than a town, more than just a pretty seaside place in the sun. There is a spirit about this place. The essence of La Jolla comes not only from the sea, the surf, the sun, the cliffs, and the caves, but also from its unique and bountiful history which includes very special citizens ....
     What is it about this place? To find out, at the behest of Anne Terhune, editor of La Jolla Village News, we compiled a two year series of weekly articles exploring La Jolla's rich past in honor of the Millennium. We read letters, visited libraries, searched through old books and manuscripts, listened to stories, walked around and through historical sites and discovered, by exploring the past, the many facets and facts that make this little town so special today. This book is the result of that quest.
     The authors wish to express their appreciation for the perseverance, diligence, and exactitude of Steele Lipe without whom this book would not be possible.

 Thanks to Anne Terhune (editor, Beach & Bay Press) who
instigated the research which made this book possible.

Lieutenant Governor Cruz M. Bustamonte

"What a delight! The post on Tuesday brought La Jolla, A Celebration of Its Past, and I was immediately transported half a century back to a a magic time in a magic place. There are so many wonderful pictures that you can get distractedfrom seriously reading the text, but the stories are great also.
  "Getting oriented was the first task. I found Coast Boulevard, St James by the Sea where I was confirmed, La Valencia which anchored the downtown in my memories, and other spots which had faded from my recollections. Then i read the story of the Barber Tract and [a] developer's ambitious efforts to move out on the rocks. A setting just like the rocks behind our house.
  "Thank you so much for this chance to look back at La Jolla, I am enjoying it immensely and hope to talk to you about it again soon.

St. Julien R. Marshal, Govenor of the Washington-Northern Virginia Company Jamestowne Society

  "La Jollans, young and old will appreciate the rich history in this book…. A treasure to keep in a prominent place and refer to often.

William Kellogg, President La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club

   My husband is very impressed with Patricia Daly-Lipe's book, so much so that I haven't had a chance to read it yet.  He has read a number of books about our home town of La Jolla and found this one to be truly superior to the typical tourist offering.  The overall quality of the book is demonstrated by the breadth of the topics covered coupled with the knowledgeable glimpses of La Jolla offered by several resident authors.

Maureen Shaner from La Jolla, California. U.S.A.

There are other charming books written about the jewel-by-the-sea, La Jolla, but this one adds a special touch that enhances our beautiful resort with fascinating facts from the past. Famous names such as Irving J. Gill, the architect, Ellen Browning Scripps, Charles and Anne Lindbergh, Gregory Peck, and Cliff Robertson, to name a few.
The world renowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography with its pioneers, such as Roger Revelle, is one of the many outstanding features and facts of a well written record of our paradise-on-earth village.
Though not a native of La Jolla, I have visited it since 1938. I moved my residence here in 1985.
I have sent this book to family and friends out of town who have also become intrigued with this Town with the Funny Name by Max Miller.
Indeed, anyone, anywhere, interested in history and the arts will open a book filled with them.

Leigh Sherman, La Jolla, California;
Member of La Jolla Branch of National League of American Pen Women since 1984: