You don't have to be an "artist" to be creative...

A couple of weeks ago, I got a phone call from one of the moms who volunteers for the second grade. She was wondering if they could use my artistic ability to make classroom decorations for the second grade end of year party. They needed 8 big suns and 40 clouds to hang from the ceilings. Of all the volunteer work I have done this year, nothing brings me more pleasure than the chance to create. So I drew up the templates for the above suns and clouds and met with two other moms to churn out some decorations. What you see above is some of our finished product. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day working on these and realized I haven't created a thing since January!

Throughout the day as we worked, we talked about being creative. The mom who called me lamented about how she was no artist, that her stick figures looked like they had giant cauliflowers for hands. I always just assume that drawing is easy and anybody can do it. The same thing with calligraphy. I guess this is what makes it a talent. This particular mom is very good at organizing and putting together parties and other fun events for the kids. (Stuff I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.) That is where her creativity flows. We talked about her husband who could plan out a landscape and plant the whole back yard beautifully. (Something else I am not great at.) That is a way that his creativity flows.

Have you ever read a novel and thought, "How on earth did this author come up with this story and then tell it so eloquently, weaving the plot and the characters to keep us enthralled?" Have you ever watched someone dance and thought, "How do they move their body so beautifully to tell a story to the person watching?" How about listening to a singer/songwriter or someone play an instrument with what seems like little effort. These are different outlets to creativity.

Creativity doesn't have to mean you do some talent perfectly. It means you do something you enjoy and it makes you feel awesome! Redecorate a room, plan a fun outing with your loved ones, be adventurous and cook something new. Whatever you do, have fun!

Creativity is the mother of all energies, nurturer of your most alive self. It charges up every part of you. When you’re plugged in, a spontaneous combustion occurs that ‘artists’ don’t have a monopoly on.

~Judith Orloff