Be Creative

Be Creative

(Originally posted on December 7, 2016)

I've always considered myself a creative person. As a child my imagination ran freely as my favorite kind of play was make-believe. As a teacher I took great pleasure in creating engaging activities that made learning enjoyable. I always encouraged my students to utilize their creativity as well. 

Starting this blog almost two years ago (Wow! It’s been almost five years now!) was a way to channel my creativity through writing. What I have noticed lately, though, is that I have been so busy with other things that creativity seems to have taken a back seat. Consequently, I've found myself struggling to come up with ideas for the blog.

 What once seemed to flow like water now became difficult. 

Perhaps it might have something to do with me not reading much over the last couple of months. I have been busy taking care of house related projects, and my books have remained untouched. 

Reading seems to be the catalyst to my reflection and creativity. 

In a recent study published by The Journal of Positive Psychology it was discovered that, "People who engage in creative pursuits today felt more energetic, enthusiastic, and excited the next day." I can certainly relate to this in my life. 

Creativity can encompass many areas, and is a personal pursuit, but its benefits enhance our lives. It's easy to push creativity to the side as not quite as important, but in fact it might just be the most important. Make room for creativity today. 

Creativity Suggestion

Photography 


What I love about today is that we all have a built in camera with us at all times through our phones. Not only is it readily available, but the quality of the camera is excellent. With digital photography we now have the capability to take many different shots, and then choose the best to keep. When taking photos don’t be hesitant to get a little closer, and to change your angle by squatting down to take your photo. A photography walk is a fun thing to do anytime you are around a variety of subjects- flowers, buildings, old objects, and nature just to name a few. Look for different textures to include in your photos. Over time you will develop your eye for composition. Stay tuned for another suggestion as to what to do with all your photos. 

Creative People

Creative People

(Originally posted on March 30, 2016)

Artist Henri Mattisse says it well with the words,

 "Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play. "

Author Elizabeth Gilbert recalls how her father used to "pursue his curiosities." I think this is an excellent way to live. Keeping your eyes open, and your mind curious, and then following up on what you have noticed helps to maintain a creative life. 

I have always been one to pursue my curiosities. In fact, I am probably guilty of pursuing too many things at once. But it is a fun way to live as you add to your bank of knowledge and your accumulation of skills. 

Creativity Suggestion

Coloring-

This is one of my favorite things to do at night while watching TV.  I have used several brands of colored pencils, including the more pricey Prismacolor brand. However, for my purposes I have recently fallen in love with Crayola Twistables. My favorite coloring book brand is Design Originals which I get on Amazon. 

Creativity Conscious

Creativity Conscious

(Originally posted on February 12, 2016)

I'm reading Unlocking Your Creativity by Doreen Marcial Poreba. 

She says,"The more you consciously create, the more aware you become, and the more tuned in you are with your inner being and outer 

surroundings, the more meaningful life becomes."

The word conscious simply means being aware of and responding to one's surroundings. I have found this to be true in the writing of this blog. This is a conscious act; something that I actively pursue. It is in being aware that I find my inspiration. 

By tuning in to my inner feelings and outer surroundings I find the seeds of creative expression. Creativity is an interesting thing. You may hide it away and pretend you don't hear it calling your name, but it will continue to whisper in your ear. 

We are all creative, but whether we make the conscious effort to pursue this creativity is really up to us. Start listening to your creativity conscious and watch it unfold. 

Creativity Suggestion:

Rock painting-

 This has been a really fun pastime for Chuck and I. Chuck is naturally gifted when it comes to art, and we have enjoyed painting rocks. We used to place them around the lake at our old apartment, and I always got a kick when they were gone. My hope was that someone took them, and it brightened their day. The hardest part that we have found is finding the perfect rocks to paint. 

Art is Art

Art is Art

(Originally posted on January 20, 2016)

"There is no wrong or right with art: art is art."

I'm reading a really fun book entitled Color Me Creative. It is the work of Instagram sensation and artist Kristina Webb. These are her words, and I found them to be inspiring. 

Kristina is a truly gifted artist, and showed great promise from early on, however, she felt restrained by the confines of her art education. Too many rules and regulations led to her frustration. 

I can relate to this a little. I remember once my grade in Art kept me off the honor roll. I never once took an art class again through high school.

 The sad part, though, was that I really loved art, and found 

satisfaction in being an "artist." 

Unfortunately, my need to strive for perfection in my school career got in the way of my love for art. I took several art classes in college, and even considered a career in interior design, but once again my lack of confidence in my drawing ability held me back. 

I only wish I had an art teacher like my friend, Laverne, who encourages the artist in all her students. How lucky those children are to be seen this way in her eyes. She remembers that, "Art is art."

Creativity Suggestion

Create-A-Bowl

I recently purchased a really fun cookbook by Nicki Sizemore entitled, Build-A-Bowl. She provides a template for creating grain bowls. Her formula is grains +vegetables+protein +sauce+ garnish =a meal. Although, there are plenty of recipes to choose from this is a great way to be creative in your cooking. Mix and match ingredients, and use what you have on hand or left over to create a 
really yummy, unique meal. Next month I’ll share some of my concoctions.

Inviting Mistakes

Inviting Mistakes

(Originally posted on April 17, 2017)


For many of us mistakes are the kind of thing to be avoided. 

Mistakes are things done wrong, so why would they even be encouraged? Why would anyone invite mistakes?

Eric Maisel in his book, the Creativity Book, writes, 

"One of the hallmarks of an everyday creative person is that she does the kind of work that invites mistakes."

Although, mistakes are things done wrong, their value cannot be dismissed. Thomas Edison in his attempts to create the lightbulb made at least 10,000 mistakes. His thinking, though, was that he came up with 10,000 ways not to make a lightbulb. 

The other night I was trying a new recipe for quiche, and did not read the recipe carefully. I overcooked the pie crust which resulted in the edges folding over into the crust. Although, the final presentation could have looked better, the quiche itself was actually delicious. 

My mistake resulted in me committing to read a recipe through 

completely the next time before getting started. 

To me it looks like inviting mistakes has at least a two-fold benefit. First it means you are allowing yourself to take risks and try something new. Secondly, it gives yourself practice at not taking every mistake so personally. We ALL make mistakes, and none of us are immune. 

As Maisel states, creativity invites mistakes, and if we choose to be creative then mistakes will be part of the process. At its least mistakes will teach us how not to do something. For me the difficulty lies in not being so hard on myself when I do mess up, and being open to the possibilities for growth that my mistakes may bring. 

Creativity Suggestion

Explore-

This is one of my favorite things to do. This year Chuck and I have taken several day trips exploring new and different places. Don’t think that you have to travel to far off exotic places to be considered an explorer. While exploring you can take photos of your wanderings, and if you like you can keep a travel journal of your adventures. I’ve kept a journal of my family’s far away vacations, but I think I’m going to start a new journal chronicling our closer trips. Creativity can be inspired through exploration. 

A Creative Life

A Creative Life

(Originally posted January 1, 2016)

"A creative life," says Elizabeth Gilbert, author of  Big Magic," is an amplified life. 

 “It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life." 

 How often in your life have you held back?  How often have you allowed conventions and expectations to set the pace? How often has the word "should" reigned supreme? Have the words "Oh, I could never do that, wear that, or be that person," ever been spoken? 

But why?  Why do we allow the world around us to determine what is best for us?  Why do we limit ourselves?  What would happen if we allowed more creativity back into our lives?  

According to Gilbert our lives would be amplified. The definition of amplified is to make larger, greater, or stronger; to enlarge or extend. I have been guilty many times of living too small a life. I have been guilty of holding back, fearful of the unknown, and too concerned about what others think. 

As I contemplate a larger life, the possibilities abound. What I do know is that time is limited. Each day I keep myself small and confined I use up some of my time. All the best intentions in the world cannot overcome this inevitable truth. This new year brings with it a fresh start, a clean slate. Why not make your mark on an amplified life?

Creativity Suggestion

Bible Journaling- This is a way to bring your creativity into your study of scripture. They now make Bible’s specifically designed for journaling. There are even markers that will not bleed through the thinner pages of most Bibles. You can find lots of ideas on Pinterest, and can also work on hand lettering as a way to help you write down scriptures that are meaningful to you. 

Artist

Artist.

(Originally posted on December 2, 2015)

Do you consider yourself an artist? In my mind an artist is someone who can draw really well. Someone who lives a really unconventional lifestyle. For some reason the term "starving" always comes to mind.

 I've begun reading a new book by Emily Freeman called A Million Little Ways. She defines an artist as, "being brave enough to move toward what makes you come alive. She states,"Art is what happens when you dare to be who you really are."

 Apparently, I've painted an artist with too narrow of a brush. My drawing ability is limited, but I am embracing the artist within. 

When I was ten, I knew exactly who I was. I never questioned for a moment what I liked, what I wanted, or whether the world would deliver. Now almost five decades later I'm rediscovering that girl again.

 I'm embracing my art in many ways; visual, writing, and photography to name a few. You've heard the expression, "Coming full circle." That's the opportunity that age offers. 

Creativity Suggestion

Art Journal- My Art journal is made up of collages. I collect scrapbook paper, old greeting cards, photos of nature, quotes I like, and pretty much anything else that catches my eye. I then arrange them inside a sketchbook, and glue them down with a glue stick. I’ve done this for many years, and I have a nice collection of collages that I enjoy returning to. Don’t feel obligated to do this on a schedule, rather return to it when you are feeling inspired.