It’s Time to Care & Create

“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”
Edward De Bono

In previous blogs we have waxed lyrical about tapping into ideas that are out there just waiting for you to net them, tend to them and watch them grow.  And, Collab Writers can testify to the enjoyment we get from connecting members to collaborate and create. If you have attended our Collab Writers monthly meet-ups, creativity abounds, relationships are formed and we play writing games together. It is pure creative flow and is a fun change from an evening in front of the box.

If you are wondering what you care about enough to create, you could take a macro approach and take a leaf from the Prince of Peace and spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, The Dalai Lama:

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
The Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama doesn’t just write about ‘kindness’ – his raison d’être is to spread the word of kindness through every action and word.

In a world where our politics are becoming more and more divisive by the minute, it’s important for our creations to have a caring element. We have the opportunity to encourage people to come together and to let the world know that there is more that unites us than divides us.

What brings us together?

At a time when it is vitally important to focus on what brings us together, remind yourself just how many things unite us. In addition to kindness, compassion is a lens through which to live your life and create.

“Compassion is the radicalism of our time.”
The Dalai Lama

Caring about the health and well-being of others is a great place to start showing compassion. Your background, education, ethnicity, culture, experience at work may spark a seed of passion in you. Whatever it is, use your voice and your power to help others in their lives, both now and in the future.

Mental Health messaging

Collab Writers’ recent debut in the world of executive film production was an opportunity for us to inject caring into our co-creation. Fright Fest short film, ‘One in Two People,‘ produced and directed by our Founder Collaborator, Ali Mashayekhi focuses on showcasing mental health issues.

“Film and documentaries are a great opportunity to get your message across to a large audience in the same way that books are. It’s one of the reasons I founded the festival 27 years ago.”
Elliot Grove, Raindance Film Festival Founder

If a movie or book seems like more than you can chew, you could start by writing a blog or insta essay (if you are an instagrammer) about something you care about. Before co-founding Collab Writers, Jennie Griffiths started her creative caring journey by blogging on ways she had learnt to ease a life lived with IBD including mindfulness and yoga to ease living with Crohn’s disease.

“If I can help to ease the burden and pain of one person coping with a long term illness, then as far as I am concerned my job is done.”
Jennie Griffiths

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Lao Tzu, Chapter 64, Tao Te Ching.

Many of us are put off social media by a dearth of pointless ‘influencers’ we don’t wish to follow. Fear not, you don’t have to be an ‘influencer’ to make a difference. The best advice we were ever given in founding Collab Writers was to conjure up the image of one person we wanted to influence (to encourage to collaborate to create). From our imagination, Collab Writers has grown to hundreds of founder members and collaborators, a community that is growing. Don’t be afraid to start small.

We do hope you find your creative passion and share it with the world. What will it be? i non-fiction offering on well-being, a sustainable fashion brand, helping your community or publicising an environmental concern. Whatever your thing, use your creativity and heartfelt passion to make a difference. Caring is sharing……..