Creativity Corner: Tips to Boost Your Creativity

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Even the most creative people can feel stuck and out of ideas sometimes. So what do you do? If you’re looking to boost your creativity and tap into your inner artist, here are some tips to consider.

Embrace failure: Many people are afraid to take risks or try new things because they are afraid of failing. However, failure is often an essential part of the creative process. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, even if they don’t work out. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Take breaks: Sometimes, the best way to get your creative juices flowing is to take a break and step away from your work. Go for a walk, take a yoga class, or simply sit in a quiet space and let your mind wander. Giving yourself time to recharge can help to spark new ideas and perspectives.

Try new things: Creativity often thrives on novelty and new experiences. Try taking a class in something you’ve never done, or travel to a new place and immerse yourself in a different culture. Exposing yourself to new ideas and experiences can help to open up new pathways in your brain and inspire new creative ideas.

Collaborate with others: Sometimes, the best way to spark creativity is to work with others. Join a creative writing group, collaborate on a musical project with a friend, or take a workshop in a new art form. Collaborating with others can help to stimulate new ideas and perspectives and provide valuable feedback and support.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga can help to quiet your mind and open up space for creativity. Set

One Man’s Opinion

Continued from page 10 stages, a White House replica stage, and dozens of structures remaining from Fort Mac dating back to the late 1800s.

Perry Studios was also the home production facility for the blockbuster Black Panther in 2018. Perry entered into long-term agreements with Viacom and later BET Plus for new programs and content production during 2017 and 2019. Lionsgate Films has been co-producing and distributing Perry’s films, and in 2022 it announced the construction and development of a $200-million studio and production facility in Douglas County, Georgia. Perry also made Douglas County his home, building a spectacular $100-million compound there. In 2021, Forbes magazine estimated Perry’s net worth to be in excess of $1 billion.

It now appears Perry has won a bidding war of sorts to acquire the entire B.E.T. Entertainment Group. Perry’s work for the BET Plus streaming service helped generate the bulk of BET revenue growth and three million paying subscribers. However, B.E.T. and VH-1 are currently

Gwinnett Leadership Spotlight aside time each day for meditation or mindful breathing, or try a yoga class to help reduce stress and boost creativity. based in New York City, where production, talent, and certainly housing costs are among the highest in the nation.

Keep a journal: Journaling can be a powerful tool for unlocking creativity. Try keeping a daily journal where you jot down your thoughts, ideas, and inspirations. This can help you to stay connected to your inner creativity and provide a record of your journey as a creative person.

By following these tips, you can help to unlock your inner creativity and tap into your artistic potential. Remember that creativity is a process, and it takes time, patience, and practice to cultivate. But with dedication and effort, anyone can become more creative and expressive in their work and life.

I’m betting that once the deal closes, Tyler Perry might look to add the title “developer” to his resume, much as the Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood Studios) in nearby Fayetteville have become a fast-growing live, work, and play community. Whether within the existing Tyler Perry Studios campus, perhaps at the new Lionsgate facilities, or even closer to Perry’s residential compound, Perrywood has a nice ring to it. The capital needed, given current interest rates, to build out such a complex might be best found in the IPO market. To date, Tyler Perry owns everything that he has created, but if he decides to share that ownership in the form of stock in his latest expansion and combined enterprise, I will be betting on Tyler Perry. Makes a nice home for the new HQ of B.E.T., too.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Home Matters

Continued from page 15 his short tenure with Gwinnett, he has shown a great willingness and ability to lead the department into the future, and I look forward to witnessing those results.”

“I am honored to lead the department at a time when there are so many exciting planning and redevelopment projects underway now, and on the horizon,” Dickison said. “Gwinnett’s future is bright as we continue to promote people-centered development that meets the needs of all residents. I look forward to advancing these efforts and ensuring that our team continues to provide exceptional service to our community.”

Before joining Gwinnett County, Dickison served as Planning and Development director for the city of Chamblee and an associate planner at Clark Patterson Lee and Associates. He has also served in leadership positions in the cities of Dunwoody, Johns Creek, and Suwanee. Dickison began his career in urban planning working for the city of Louisville, Kentucky, where he also earned a master’s degree at the University of Louisville.

Continued from page 21 rely instead on the purity of pared down form and hand-selected materials. Crafted from smooth, cast metal frames fitted with glowing, castglass, creamy white globes, each Kraga™ lighting design is an expressive work of art, with its own unique personality and individual flair.

If you like traditional, equestrian design:

If refined elegance that takes cues from nature appeals to you, look for lighting that offers a creative approach to traditional English country decor. You may be interested in the Terret™ Collection that is inspired by British equestrian design, updated through a palette of organic materials to individualize each piece.

Designs draw from early English country decor, where owners would bring the beauty of their pastoral surroundings into their interiors, blending leathers and textiles, their varied textures and tailored forms, with the rustic beauty of wrought iron, weathered wood, and glassworks. The Terret™ lighting collection reflects those ideals, evoking a gentle pastoral era, bringing the equestrian style to a contemporary audience.

Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where you work, play, and relax, and where you can feel like yourself. Lighting enhances the personality of your home and makes it as individual as you are. (BPT)

Pet Perch: Exercise? Or Over Excitement?

By Terie Hansen

While there is no doubt that dogs need exercise, many dog owners turn to running and racing around in a yard or a park as the only form of exercise their dog gets. The problem is that if the only interactions you have with your dog are of high excitement, that is what you are patterning – a dog whose mind doesn’t know how to settle down; a dog that is always looking for the next high-energy engagement activity; a dog that typically demands attention from you on a pretty consistent basis.

On the other hand, training burns a ton of energy, both physical and mental, and has many positive side effects such as creating a calm, relaxed state of mind. Your dog learns to focus. Your dog is learning valuable commands. Your dog has your undivided attention, so it is less likely to demand your attention at other times during the day. Your dog views you as the leader, which can significantly reduce and/or eliminate anxiety, stress, fear, and other negative states of mind and behaviors. All of which, in the long run, equal a well-trained dog!

Moreover, if you’re going to spend time with your dog, what is the difference if you spend fifteen to twenty minutes throwing a ball versus fifteen to twenty minutes training? Time is time, right? Simply doing sit drills burns both mental energy (because your dog needs to focus) and physical energy (because your dog is doing squats) and will tire your dog out. Down drills are push-ups for your dog. Recalls (coming when called) has your dog running back and forth, but in a controlled manner. Kennel drills also include push-ups because you will teach your dog to enter their kennel and lie down. Even duration commands such as Down and Place burn a tremendous amount of mental energy as your dog practices impulse control while holding those commands.

All drills are done with a leash until your dog consistently follow commands without engaging the leash. You can even use their food (not treats) as a reward. Doing these simple drills will burn tons of energy and sharpen your dog’s obedience skills. In a couple of weeks, you will be rewarded with a much calmer, better behaved dog.

I am not saying don’t play with your dog. I am saying, even if you did 50-50, or better yet, one out of every four interactions with your dog, you played and the other three you trained. The outcome would be a tremendous difference in your dog’s overall behavior, equaling an amazing difference in your relationship with your dog.

Terie Hansen is the Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com

Key Steps to Healthy Aging Continued

from page 21 new for SilverSneakers members in participating health plans. This program provides an online learning platform designed for seniors with a wide range of live video classes – over 2,000 hours per week on more than 1,800 topics – to support mental enrichment.

7) Nutrition: What you eat fuels your body and mind, so it’s important to pack your pantry and refrigerator with wholesome foods. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy. Then explore recipes you can try to experience new flavors and keep mealtime exciting. If you need help or have strict dietary concerns, consider working with a nutritionist for additional guidance.

Doesn’t it feel good to check a few things off your list? For more ideas on how seniors can stay active and connected, visit SilverSneakers.com. (BPT)