Editor’s Choice — Top 10: How To Be Creative in a Way That Transforms Your Whole Life

Let’s have a look at our Top 10 stories today

Life is a game. You feel that too. Right? Searching my inner self, I often find new and strange things. We rarely know ourselves as much as we believe we do.

If you can see life as a game, you may have more courage to follow your heart and have fun in the process. But how any of this — the gamified version of life — can help you write?

“Look, I don’t know what’s hidden within you.

I have no way of knowing such a thing. You may barely know, although I suspect you’ve caught glimpses.

I don’t know your capacities, your aspirations, your longings, your secret talents. But something great is sheltered inside you. I say this with all confidence because I happen to believe we are all walking repositories of buried treasure,” writes Elizabeth Gilbert in her book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.

“Do you have the courage to bring out what is hidden within you?” she asks.

Elizabeth, like me, believes that the universe is playing a game with us. It hides precious gems deep within us — to amuse itself and us.

Then the universe stands back to see if we try to find our hidden treasures.

When you try to write creatively, you see deep within yourself. You try to find your authentic self. You are searching for your uniqueness. This hunt for your voice kickstarts your creative life.

The courage to go on that hunt in the first place — that’s what separates a mundane existence from a more enchanted one. ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

If you find the courage to see your hidden talents, you’ll see your life change. If you believed there was a treasure buried inside you, you’d try to uncover it.

When you begin this inner quest, all kinds of fears and doubts pop up. You doubt if you are exceptional. Yes, you are not special because every one of us has access to these resources.

So what makes you unique? What makes you enchanted? What is it that can transform your life?

It is the courage to begin this adventure that makes you, well, the real you.

Those who will find the courage to explore their inner self, to find the hidden treasure, will surprise even themselves.

Being greatly curious is one way to handle fears better. Every fear frightens less when you know more about it. Fears are boring. But following your heart is a fun adventure.

Live your life before sharing your experiences through your writing.

When you wish to write on a topic, see how it impacted you — frightened you or cheered you up — in your life. Then research the subject thoroughly. See what others have to say about it; how they tackled it.

Your life and writing will shine as you explore your inner self — and all the treasures within.

Big magic starts once you move ahead despite your fears. The results may pleasantly surprise you.

Here is a list of our top 10 stories today — by writers who are ready to bring out their inner treasure:

10. I Have Read a Ton of Books on Writing, so You Don’t Have To

Louis Petrik writes about finances, programming, and psychology. He is figuring out life, one idea at a time.

He is a superb writer. His writing style is logical, easy to read, and very engaging. Do check his other work.

Writing shorter sentences is boring advice.

You’ve probably heard it 100 times. The internet is full of the same old tips.

That’s why I started reading a lot of popular books on writing.

Here are the most helpful tips I learned from the best authors.

9. Finding Myself: The First 10 Months on Medium, 40 Years in Journalism

Melinda Blau is an author of 15 books and over 200 articles and posts. She specializes in short reads — on relationships, social trends, and her adventures in Paris.

She is an accomplished writer and author. Her writing style is detailed, honest, and thought-provoking. Don’t miss this one.

I’ve been feeling my way around Medium, trying to understand its customs and culture since April when I published my first piece. I am a stranger in a strange land, late of the planet Old School. I’ve won awards for my writing. But, here, I am a novice, desperate to grok this community and the landscape it inhabits.

8. Why the Best Tragedies Are Funny

Simon Dillon is a novelist and short story-ist. Film and Book Lover. “If you cut me, I bleed celluloid and paper pulp,” he says.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is honest, charming, and very engaging. Do check his other work.

Several years ago, I went to see Legends of the Fall. The film featured fine direction from Edward Zwick, an A-list cast that included Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Julia Ormond, and Henry Thomas, and gorgeous, Oscar-winning cinematography courtesy of John Toll. I hoped for a sweeping, epic tear-jerker, but it turned out to be one of the most unsuccessful attempts at tragedy I have ever seen on film. The screenplay features poorly motivated, unconvincing characters, who then have tragedy upon tragedy piled upon them. The ludicrous escalation of misfortune becomes numbing, and eventually even funny.

7. Fitting Someone Else’s Narrative Should Never Define You

G Correia is taking up space and proud to be average. He writes about life and is trying to make sense of it all. He is proud of his pancakes.

He is a fine writer. His writing style is honest, witty, and engaging. Don’t forget to check his other work.

My creative spirit spoke to me early in life. As someone who embraced the arts at a young age, I found ways to express myself through my creativity. I never gravitated toward organized sports or similar activities; though I do love to get horizontal on Sundays and watch a game or two.

6. The day I Saved an Ungrateful Life

Juliano Righetto says, “We are nearsighted because we are brief.” Actor, Screenwriter, Author, Top Writer 2019 and 2020 on Quora in Portuguese with more than 19 million views.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is easy to read, honest, and charming. Don’t miss this one.

When I was a child, my best friend’s father bought a house in Maresias, a beautiful beach on São Paulo’s north coast. In the distant seventies, this place was unknown to the public. There were a handful of fishermen who lived there and our house. There was virtually no infrastructure; we barely had electricity, so wanting a lifeguard on the beach was too much.

5. Mini Insights

America Zed is a survivor. Optimist. Compassionate Soul. She is living in a Creative World ~ POETRY ~ SELF HELP ~ MUSIC.

She is an excellent writer. Her writing style is easy to follow, logical, well-structured, and very engaging. Don’t forget to check her other work.

These days, it cannot be overstated that not paying attention in our own lives can end up being costly, and may have serious or far-reaching consequences for ourselves and/or other people.

However, assuming you have no brain disease or injury, you can make your own valuable time more enjoyable, rewarding and less confusing when you choose to focus your mind.

4. Let Go of Planning the Nitty Gritty

Midori by the Sea is an Asian in Brighton, UK. Sex-positive. Intentional Living. Mental Wellness.

She is a good writer. Her writing style is charming, elegant, and thought-provoking. Don’t miss this masterpiece.

I grew up with music scores as a trained classical musician.

As a pianist, my score is already a bit more complicated than others because with two hands, three pedals, and multiple keys, I can tap on at least 10 notes at once. But that’s nothing compared to a conductor music score, where all musical instruments happen in front of them at once.

3. Don’t Work Against Your Short Attention Span, Work With It

Tosin Sanusi is a devoted cat mother. Sagittarius lady. Lifelong learner. Lover of food.

She is a good writer. Her writing style is easy to read, frank, and engaging. Do check her other stories.

My attention issues were apparent very early on. As an experienced educator, who had probably worked with hundreds of kids, my junior kindergarten teacher told my parents that she thought I might have ADHD or something similar.

2. One of the Most Valuable Lessons Learned during a 40+ Year Career

Bill Abbate writes about leadership. He is a leadership and executive coach.

He is an excellent writer. His writing style is simple, direct, and engaging. Do check his other work.

In the end, what makes a business is its people. Without good people, a business will not last. Being a lifelong learner with a track record of running several companies for more than 40 years teaches you many things. I want to share one of the more important with you today. Let’s look at the question, “What makes an employee practically indispensable?”

1. Shatter The Illusion of Self To Improve Your Well-Being

At number one it is Michael Papas. He write about mindfulness. He supports the idea of secular spirituality for personal growth. I happen to have the same viewpoint.

He is a wonderful writer. His writing style is easy to read, engaging, charming, honest, and very informative.

Follow him. Read him and wait for his next story.

I read the section ‘Gradual versus Sudden Realization’ in Waking Up — and woke up. Just for a moment, before thoughts rushed to fill the void.

At that moment, naked consciousness was glimpsed. Consciousness without contents, without thought, without a sense of ‘self’. There was no ‘I’ — only the space where ‘I’ once was.

This post is part of the Top 10 Series — you can meet 500+ top writers with these links:

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Final Thoughts

If your story was selected in the Top 10, please share another story with a brief introduction and a short convincing review — in the comments. (Please write the review in the third person and start it with your name.)

I must have missed something today. I cannot read every story on Illumination and Illumination-Curated. I try — and fail daily — to read all of the masterpieces.

Please join our private Facebook group for Illumination writers to post your articles daily. Also, I invite you to become a writer for my publication — positive minds.

Iꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀɴʏ ᴍɪsᴛᴀᴋᴇ, ᴛʏᴘᴏ, ᴏʀ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴇʀʀᴏʀ, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴠᴀᴛᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ. Tʜᴀɴᴋs.

To be included as a top 10 writer, read these curation guidelines carefully.

You can read my curated stories here.