Opportunity for Creativity...even in Darkness?

I've talked about and have sung the praises of writer Patti Digh and a few of her books in past blog posts. My favorite of hers so far is Life is a Verb - it changed my way of living and looking at how we spend our days, our moments.  She's also written Creative is a Verb and I picked that up again two nights ago because I finished a novel and NEEDED to read something before bed.

I started rereading but I paid special attention to lines and phrases I had highlighted in the past.  This one really stuck out this time:  "Every single moment of your life is an opportunity for creativity. Even the darkest moments. Perhaps especially them." (p. 14).  Pretty profound as many people think only certain people are creative and I guess I typically think of making a physical piece (painting, book, floral arrangement, etc.) as expressing our creativity.  But these words make me think it's way more than that.  I've had some dark moments mainly due to health concerns and now I just got some test results that aren't so great. Friday I find out what the next step could be as I see the doctor to discuss the results.

Hmmmm...I'm wondering that along with my word of the year "faith" and this quote about dark moments being opportunities for creativity, can I handle this?  Can I handle possibly bad and scary news in a different way?  A different way than I'm used to - catastrophizing and thinking of every worst possible scenario and playing them over and over in my head.  I'm not sure how this can be an opportunity for me to use my creativity but I'm hopeful that I'll find a way.  I hope I can infuse this obstacle, this fear with faith and creativity.

I truly don't know what that will look like, but I plan to keep it in my mind in the upcoming days.  I'm wondering if anyone else actually sees creativity as a "tool" so-to-speak to help with potentially really dark and scary times in their lives.  If anyone has any ideas or examples I'd love to hear them.  I know reaching out is a start because connections between others truly helps when healing is involved.

My Tribe, My Cre8ive Klatch

I first met these girls a few years ago when we got to work together on Flying Lessons, a creative business course sponsored by artist Kelly Rae Roberts.  We called each other "flyers" and now we are part of a "klatch." Never did I expect to call them my friends. Now that's what they've become to me.  Not only do we bounce art biz ideas off of each other but we celebrate and share the good and bad times of our personal lives as well.  I know that at just about anytime I can pop over to our Facebook group and find one of these supportive friends there to talk, listen or laugh with.  I can count on them. We've been through births, deaths, surgeries, new pets, moves across country and much more.  

Being part of this creative group has enriched my life personally and creatively. We are now venturing on a new journey called the Cre8ive Klatch and it's pretty exciting. Stop over at our group blog to meet the creative members. Today is my day to be introduced there so I'd love it if you'd stop over there and get to know me a little better. Come and see the great things we have in store for you, including quick projects you can do to stretch your creative muscles, EVEN if you think you don't have any.

Creative Girl

I just received the book Creative Girl, The Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity into a Real Career by Katharine Sise.  It was recommended by Bonnie Rose from the blog A Life Unrehearsed and she seemed so excited so I thought I'd give it a shot since being creative is what makes me happy.  I do want to make a career out of it even though I haven't had much encouragement from those closest to me.

The author Sise says it is absolutely possible to make a living out of our creative pursuits.  I can't tell you how many times my mom has told me, "You'll never make a living off of your paintings."  Thanks so much for the words of wisdom, Mom.  People do make a living off of their creativity and I plan on being one of them.

Now I'm not creating just to make a living.  No.  I'm creating because it's what my heart and soul tell me to do.  I'm creating because it makes me feel alive and joyful.  But why not try to make a living off of doing what I love.  I know I have a long way to go, but I'm hoping that this book will give me some direction. 

(P.S.  Isn't the girl on the cover just adorable?)

Do What You Love

I love the follwing quote about your "higher self" telling you what you should do in your life.  Is it possible that we could all be more happy and grateful if we knew what we loved and were able to do it? 



"What you LOVE is a SIGN from your higher self of what you are to do."
 

~Sanaya Roman

 What do you find yourself drawn to?  What signs are being shown to you?  Are they screaming it or just whispering?  Are you pushing the signs and whispers away?  I'm constantly drawn to visual things, like photography or nature and babies and eye-stopping paintings with vivid colors.  I always felt like I wanted CREATE something, anything.  Now I'm working everyday more and more toward what my higher self is telling me in the form of painting and now I've started drawing too.  I'm not saying this decision has been easy.  A lot of life changes have been made, namely financial, but I know I'm healthier and happier for doing what I love, even if it's just a little painting each day.  Having some serious health problems has opened my eyes to the fact that life goes so quickly and I don't want to come to the end of it and have regrets.

Are you doing at least a little of something that you are drawn to.  If not, why not?



Finger Painting

We are having a great snow day in Wisconsin, even the government offices are closed.  My first prompt from the e-course I'm taking (COLOR YOUR WORLD) was to fingerpaint.  I haven't done that in sooooo long, don't even know when.  Isabella and I each did our own, then we had one canvas paper left, so we made a creation together with her old, goopy watercolors.

This is our final creation.  We each painted the other's hand with a few colors and then stamped them on the paper.  It was a ticklish feeliing having our hands painted with a soft paintbrush.  Then I suggested we just paint a few hearts around it and she dated and signed it for us.  I think I'm going to get a square frame and hang it up somewhere to remind us of our fun getting messy and creating and our togetherness.

How great to just get messy, colorful and not worry about what will turn out in the end!  We loved it!

Are you Having Fun Yet?

I like this quote: "If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong" by George DiCarlo. Are people really enjoying their lives? Truly? Or are they just getting by, day after day doing what they HAVE to do to make their lives work? If you stop and think about that quote, do you think maybe you would live your life differently? Would you make more memories? Would you try to make the tasks you have to do more fun in some creative way? Maybe make a contest out of house cleaning with your kids; have a dance party in your living room one night a week; have more fun because life really is short.  What would you do to have more fun?  Or are you already there?