We’ve been reading Fred Mandell, Ph.D. and Kathleen Jordan, Ph.D. and their thoughts on Becoming a Life Change Artist wherein they outline the four phases of personal change and the seven creative skills necessary to reinvent yourself at any stage of life. About half way through the work what’s been the most interesting, other than the vignettes describing famous artists and the personal life changes they endured, is the section on creativity and the brain where the authors talk about neurogenesis and neuroplasticity – the idea that the brain is “plastic” and flexible and will either re-generate or not depending on our stress levels, our focus, and our rules of engagement.

Dr. Gene Cohen’s research is also cited wherein he concludes that the brain “actively grows and rewires itself in response to stimulation and learning,” regardless of age.  All of this is very exciting and timely as hoards of women are sitting on the precipice of life reinvention decisions after watching Eat, Pray, Love.  All I have to say about the movie is that it virtually transported me back to Italy (where I formerly lived for six years) and that the acting talents of Richard Jenkins in the India piece were in my humble opinion, unquestioningly worthy of an Oscar. Having attraversiamo’ed many times before, I took away the Sanskrit phrase for “being on the border” in the Bali piece.  The cinematography is noteworthy, some of the acting – not so much.  I was reminded that one of my best days ever (what I call a “my day”) on this planet so far was when my dearly loved friends Joy and Franklin Minty visited the Vatican City in Rome with me just before my daughter was born in Naples.

But I digress.  So Mandell and Jordan outline 11 triggers that will help YOU become a fabulous life change artist, too. And each of these is geared to generating ideas and solutions when we least expect it in activities that actually help the mind let go:  1)  Spiritual (prayer and meditation); 2) Musical (listening, playing, singing); 3) Cultural (viewing art or sculpture); 4) Water-Related (taking a shower or soaking in a tub); 5) Athletic (walking, bicycling); 6) Repetitive (needlepoint); 7) Nature (gardening, birdwatching); 8) Housework/Chores (doing the dishes); 9) Surrender (relinquishing control); 10) Animal (being with your pet); and 11) Altruistic (helping others).

So if you’ve already begun to dream about your alter-life and struggling with how to get there from here, know that much of what one can expect to experience (excitement, overwhelmed) is defined in predictable behavior stages. I took their “Creativity Calculator” exam and learned that I max out (in a good way) on my personal ability to take risk (acting without certainty of outcome), but scored the lowest in the areas of collaboration and preparation.  The latter took me by surprise, and now I’m working on creative preparation skills as a discipline.  We’re each all always growing and changing and if the changes you’re contemplating are for the betterment of YOU, then “Be Wholly You” and take the leap and JUMP.

Artwork and Image Credit:  http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/