Skip to main content

L is for Liminal

L is for Liminal

liminal

adjective  lim·i·nal \ˈli-mə-nəl\
p 30% of words

Definition of liminal

  1. 1:  of or relating to a sensory threshold
  2. 2:  barely perceptible
  3. 3:  of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition :  in-betweentransitional<in the liminal state between life and death — Deborah Jowitt







I like to pursue new ideas, when the day and my mind are very fresh and malleable. Going from a restful sleep to awaking in the morning have been the times I've done some of my best work. In fact, those hours are my favorite times for doing yoga and exercise, as well. I find this liminal or transitional state as an area that is not fully set or settled. I've said what it's not but I can easily say what it is: fruitful.

In a liminal, early morning state, I am awake but still open to my dreams states. This odd time is conducive to creativity and productivity.



My exercise for this Creative Block Hack is easy. Set your alarm an hour earlier than usual or simply start pursuing your creative work an hour or so earlier than normal. See what you come up with, and if creative flows for you in that liminal state, the way it does for me.

Comments

  1. I wish I could get up when my alarm goes off an hour earlier! I always hit snooze!!!!! I might try it this week though!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like to pursue new ideas with a clear mind as well. And my mind seems clearest in morning. After coffee, that is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know just what you mean Optimistic Existentialist! I'm sipping mine right now.

      Delete
  3. I love that word liminal Stephanie - that in-between state, like the membrane of the egg that separates the shell from the actual egg. Almost invisible but very real ... thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never thought about it like a membrane but it's so accurate. Thanks for the beautiful thought and illustration Susan!

      Delete
  4. I hear subliminal all the time, but never thought of liminal :). I have trouble with the liminal state just before I go to sleep, because sometimes my brain won't shut up :)
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Natasha, that seems a big part of our 2016 existence unfortunately. Pulling in, and meditating helps.

      Delete
  5. I've just learned a new word and I haven't finished my first cup of coffee. Thanks!

    I’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings.
    M is for Movies
    Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's pretty cool Stephen! I like what you're blogging about for A to Z, very much. Very interesting!

      Delete
  6. I am more creative in the mornings, if I get a good night of sleep :) I do wake up several hours before I have to be at work just to have that time to myself to explore how I want to spend it :)

    betty

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Go ahead. Make my day by leaving a comment.

Popular posts from this blog

Goddess and Prince of Flowers

While teaching painting and drawing at the School of the Art Institute, I was always drawn to the  Codex Borgia . Sadly, seldom did I actually find ways of incorporating that gorgeous, ancient, illustrated manuscript into my lesson plans. I would just go through the book of images and savor them on my own. Now I understand why it was calling out to me. It is the tool of healers, diviners and scribes--it contains prophesies. It is going to take a while, still, but some day I will understand the lessons it seeks to teach me. Now in "Mama Nature's Spiritual Guide to Weight-loss" as I write, I am finding my book is being fleshed out by Aztec and Mayan deities. They just showed up and wanted in. I find myself questioning their appearance and loving it all at the same time. Pictured above is Aztec Goddess, Xochiquetzal, pronounced Sho-chi-ket-sal. Her name is in the language Nahuatl. The first part Xochitl (flower or to flower) and the second Quetzal (bird of splendid fe...

Xochitl--Flower

                                     (Winter Poinsettia by Stephanie Rose Bird, oil on wood) One of my Facebook friends does daily posts and shares called "I love Flowers." I love flowers too, in real life, in my garden, in paintings and as they are related to the gods and goddesses, in healing, as well as their use in folklore like Hoodoo. Not long ago I posted about Xochipelli (Sho-CHEE-pee-lee) prince of flowers and Xochiquetzal (Sho-CHEE-ket-zul) goddess of flowers in anticipation of April's blooming season.  The Goddess and Prince of Flowers post  is here. Today, I want to focus in on the root word of their names and it's symbolism. This word is Xochitl (Show-CHEE-tul) in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs. This word means flower.                                         ...

Dancing

D is for Dancing Zulu Dancer So, what can you do for free, that lifts your mood by elevating endorphin levels that also helps your fitness level? Dance! As a girl, I was blessed with a unique opportunity. My mother had danced in her youth and wanted to share that experience with me. Through her encouragement, I grew to love my dance lessons and ended up studying dance about 4 nights a week and then performing on the weekends. One of my favorite activities was dancing outside. I enjoyed practicing my turns outdoors (poor grass!). So, I’d put our large speakers outside the door and then turn and turn, and turn some more, using the trees across the lake as a spotting tool. In case you’re unfamiliar spotting is a place you focus your eyes so that you don’t become dizzy. Now, some of you reading this will think this sounds crazy. Others are living in a place wherein doing something like this is not possible. I’m not suggesting you twirl outside, but hey, if you can, g...