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Activities

The creative activities collected on these pages are used by Ross Laird in various workshops and courses. They are intended to help participants deepen their creativity (often by making them a bit uncomfortable), help participants reflect on their own development as creative people, and encourage them to discover whatever comes their way.

General Guidelines

Reminders and Considerations for Creative Activities

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:39 p.m. • Ross Laird

Safety — but not too safe If a given exercise makes you too uncomfortable, adapt it or skip it. But the question arises: what’s too uncomfortable? Panic attack? Definitely. Stay safe and avoid t...


Opening to the Creative Process

Wandering, Stillness, and Wonder

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:39 p.m. • Ross Laird

After you have watched the above video, find a time and place where wonder is more likely. Here are a few possibilities (all of which require that you put your phone awa...


Mythological Storytelling

The Roots of Creative Expression

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:37 p.m. • Ross Laird

Begin by reading the The World Tree . When you’re done, come back here and do the next part. Find a partner to work with. It can be anyone; it’s up to you — but your partner should be someone who...


About the Activities

Exploration and Discovery

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:30 p.m. • Ross Laird

The creative activities are intended to help you deepen your creativity (often by making you a bit uncomfortable), helping you to reflect on your own development as a c...


Juggling

The Activity You Dread (probably)

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:38 p.m. • Ross Laird

For hundreds of years (maybe more), juggling has been one of the most cherished creative activities. It is a complex skill for sure – but it’s not that hard to learn. Wat...


Storytelling through Movement

The Body is the Source of All Our Stories

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:40 p.m. • Ross Laird

Find a partner to work with. (If you are unable to find a partner, let me know.) Your partner should be someone who will not act like a jackass, or ridicule you, or do any number of unhelpful thing...


The Warrior Princess

An Unfinished Fable

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:40 p.m. • Ross Laird

The Parable of the Warrior Princess is part of an interconnected series of tales from Tibetan Buddhism. Here it is: A young warrior princess completed her training under a renowned teacher and ...


Themes Part Two

The Inner Life and the Outer World

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:40 p.m. • Ross Laird

Ten Themes Pick one! Write about something you know deeply. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Wh...


Themes Part One

Taking a Moment to Go Inward

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:41 p.m. • Ross Laird

Ten Themes Pick one! Write something about yourself that no one else yet knows. Describe a childhood memory in which you felt particularly empowered, or loved. Write about one of your dreams. ...


The Golden Key

Last Tale of the Brothers Grimm

Jan. 5, 2024, 7:37 p.m. • Ross Laird

The Brothers Grimm gathered together stories from many times and places, and the influence of their work is still felt today ( Cinderella , Beauty and the Beast , Snow White, Little Red Riding ...