Discover Your Creative Spirit and Pass it On

Do you know that creativity is not just for artists and musicians? We are all created with the potential to exercise & express our creativity. Pablo Picasso even stated that "every child is born an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

Creativity appears in how we merchandise our retail store, arrange our furniture, create art, write a book, write a blog post, prepare a meal, take a photograph, and oh so much more. The beauty of creativity is that there is no right or wrong to its expression. Isn't that just the best?

I created this little piece long, long ago, using words from a poem I had written two decades earlier - little did I know then, I would be living my life today in the heart of creative expression - and I try to do so personally as well, in my family life.

Are you a creative spirit? Tell me how; I really want to get to know you. Just click on that little comment button below and share how you express your creativity.

Being a self-taught artist, it took me three trips to a craft store before I got the nerve to actually purchase any brushes. Once I did so, and began to play with my newly purchased supplies, something just resonated deep within. From there, I just kept moving forward.  When we inject creativity & originality into what we do, no matter what it is, we experience a greater sense of quality in the end result.  This in turn brings us fulfillment & a little (potentially BIG) dose of joy.

Try these activities to discover your creative spirit:

1. Become a kid again. Watch what little kids do, especially in uninstructed situations. Remember the things you enjoyed doing as a kid? Who supported you in them? Who discouraged you? What did it feel like when you were playing and feeling free to use your imagination? Pretend to be five again.

2. Play. Give yourself  permission to move freely within your space, or in what ever you are doing. Note the emphasis on permission and freely. Allow yourself to feel free to unleash your creative instincts, no matter what your age.

   I LOVE buying new art supplies.  Make a visit to your art supply store, and purchase a new set of  crayons, Play-Doh (it's the best), bubbles, chalk,-- whatever appeals to your "inner child." Set aside an afternoon or evening to play with them, all by yourself (or better yet, with your kids). Sit on the floor with a big piece of paper or poster board (and do not worry about making a mess - this is creative expression!). Try drawing with the opposite hand than you normally do and feel what it's like to be a little kid learning to write again. 

3. Send Your Inner Critic on a Long Vacation. As you play, notice the inner voices you hear. Re-frame the messages you tell yourself: Instead of "I can't draw...I'm not artistic" try "I'm going to enjoy playing with these new pencils without judgment."

Do you have a ladder of creative dreams you want to climb? Be courageous in each step you take, have faith in yourself and in what you cannot see, and aspire to live those creative dreams.

Have a bloomin' beautiful weekend and remember . . .

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” — Albert Einstein

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P.S.

I promised I'd share pics of our day spent recovering our kitchen chairs. I had never done this before, and it's really quite simple, fun and relatively inexpensive (hmm, wish I could say the same about the rest of my DIY projects)

Comments

[Vickie]

Terri,

Great post...we are all artists, because everything we do involves creating. We not only listen to our own criticism, we compare our abilities to others which keeps us from using our talents and gifts. Just dive in and do what makes you happy or makes you excited to get up everyday. Art is what makes me sing and I put my inner voices and my outside critics on a permanent vacation!

Happy creating

[Beth Yarbrough]

Terri - this blog is so inspiring! My first visit! But you can rest assured I'll be back for more. Bravo!
Beth Yarbrough

[Diane Knott]

Terri, LOVE #3! Aren't we all our own worst critics! I noticed on a blog the other day that two women had posted that they have "no talent". Not true! Everyone has talent, creativity, call it what you will. We just don't all have it in the same areas. Some people cook, some garden, some paint, some sew, some are talented people-people who uplift others, nurse, nurture, etc!

Hugs!
Diane