Friday Fun: D'oh! Part 2

No matter how creative your ideas are, it's always good to have a back-up plan. For example, a few people have tried to "Simpsonize" themselves via the blog link, and the "transformer" site wasn't working.

Hopefully it's working now, and you have time to play. But, if it doesn't work -- or if you're in a rush -- here's a quick Friday Fun back-up idea: Take the Simpsons personality test. Being the responsible sort (you know, the kind who quickly fakes a back-up plan), I'm Lisa.

Creativity Exercise: Breathing Lessons

Here's a two-part creativity exercise that will give your brain a boost. And your heart. And your bladder. And all those other cute little parts.

1. Find a quiet space -- an office, a bathroom, inside your car, wherever. Breathe in deeply through your nose; really fill your lungs. Then, breathe out fully through your mouth. Repeat 9 times, for a total of 10 breaths.
   
   You can do this sitting or standing. If you're driving, I recommend sitting.
   
2. OK, now that your brain is fully oxygenated, think back. Was "I don't have time for this!" your first response to the exercise?

For the record, that's ridiculous. And I can say that with authority, because it's generally my ridiculous response. Along the same lines, I've heard people exclaim, "It's 3 p.m. and I haven't had time to go to the bathroom yet!" They say this with some pride.

Snap out of it, folks. It's hard to be a creative genius when you're running all day, from chore to chore or meeting to meeting. Today, here's the real exercise: Give yourself a break!

Choose Something Like a Star

At first glance, "... there is a last even of last times," the Quick Quote for the week, may not appear quite as uplifting as last week's "Wherever you go, go with all your heart" from Confucius.

But there's a reason why it's the Quick Quote. That line is an excerpt from Cascando, a poem I read in college, and never forgot. It was in a collection a friend was ready to toss out -- his poetry class was over, so he had no need for the book. (Hmmm. Maybe this is one reason we're no longer in touch.)

Cascando inspired me. Still does. Another poem that continually inspires me is i carry your heart with me by e.e. cummings. Just once, I'd like to write a line as perfect as i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart).

Now, you may think Cascando is massively depressing. And you may not think cummings ever wrote a perfect line. That's perfectly fine. But here's the deal: To be creative, it helps to find your inspiration -- in poetry, in music, in art, in prayer, in love. Today, choose something like a star, and begin.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

My friend Keith Prather recently led a project team I was on -- my participation was minimal, but it's always a pleasure to work with Keith. Here's one reason why: After the project was done, Keith passed along this e-mail response from the client:

Keith,
Excellent work.
Thanks,
Jim

Five words. Jim, president of the company we were working for, probably spent five seconds writing that e-mail. But you know what? He's a busy guy, and that's five seconds he could have spent on something else. Keith is busy too, but he took a few seconds to pass the e-mail on to the rest of the team.

Final result? Jim's sincere "thank you" and Keith's thoughtfulness made us feel appreciated, valued and just plain good.

So, consider this a creativity tip or an exercise, or both. Today, tomorrow, sometime soon: Give someone at home or at work an unexpected, heartfelt "thanks." Or pass along a nice word. You could make someone feel like a king -- and then they'll be singing your praises!

(OK. OK. I'll stop. Elvis is leaving the building.)

Creativity Tip: Be Open to Beauty

Joshua Bell is one of the finest violinists in the world. He plays on a $3.5 million instrument handcrafted in 1713 by Antonio Stradivari. His music is, by any measure, astonishing.

Yet, on January 12, 2007, when Bell gave an incognito concert in a Washington, D.C., Metro station, hardly anyone stopped to listen.

Why? Name your reason:

1. He didn't look like a virtuoso -- he looked like just another street musician.
2. He had his violin case open for donations. People don't want to donate.
3. It was rush hour. People were rushing.
4. The commuters didn't hear him. They were on the phone, or listening to an iPod.
5. We're not children. (Children tried to stop and listen. Parents pulled them away.)

Whatever the reason, the challenge is clear -- if we're not receptive to unexpected beauty, we miss it. So start this week with a promise to yourself: Slow down. Look. Listen. There's music all around us, if we're only willing to hear it.

Weekend Exercise: What's on Your Bucket List?

Bonus! Along with the Friday Fun post, here's a creativity exercise from one of my favorite writers at the Kansas City Star:

"I didn’t make New Year’s resolutions. I started a Bucket List. It’s that list of things you want to do before you die. I want to learn how to use chopsticks, how to fix a flat tire by myself and how to use a caulk gun. What would you put on your list? Send us your Bucket Lists — keep ’em short, please — along with your name, town and daytime phone number. Send them by noon Monday to fyi@kcstar.com." Lisa Gutierrez, The Star

Friday Fun: It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

It is 5 o'clock somewhere, and -- in honor of that -- let me direct you to my favorite brew of the week: He'brew.

This also gives me the opportunity to remind you that humor is one dangerous animal at work.

That said, since I'm a Jewish mother and this is the Friday Fun post, I'll share my favorite Jewish mother joke:

What's the difference between a Jewish mother and a vulture?
A vulture waits until you're dead to eat your heart out.

(WARNING: My mother doesn't find that funny. Humor is also a dangerous animal at home.)