Gustave Flaubert made a statement that has given me pause more than once over the past year. 

For those doing creative work, the implications of this statement are significant.  Creativity isn’t a gift. Creativity is practice. Yes, it’s something we’re born with. It’s something we’re all born with.

And it’s something to develop. 

Creativity doesn’t “happen”.  Creative work is work — and we have to put the necessary parameters in place to create space for work. Hard work.  Thoughtful work. Important work.  

Disciplined work. 

While Sunday’s posts are not about work, Flaubert’s phrase is also appropriate in thinking about spirituality.  

We are an entitled lot. It’s the age of “everyone gets a trophy” and participation awards. Gifts, talents, and strengths mean we should have it easy.

Do what you love. 

Follow your passions. 

But that’s not how it works — with creativity or spirituality. 

I’ve found that spirituality requires as much orderliness in my life as does creativity.  

Get up at the same time every day. 

Follow the same routine every day. 

Be regular with practices.  

The Daily Office is my key tool for ordered spirituality. 

Written prayer gives more freedom when the time comes to praying extemporaneously. Discipline and order in life is the minimal requirement for freedom and liberty in life. 

Creativity. 

And, oddly enough, prayer.  

Check out the Daily Office in Celtic Daily Prayer. 

It’s the best “regular and orderly” I’ve found for personal spirituality.