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Echo's of the Past Mixed Media
“Creativity is a state of mind, a way of being, and it comes from a sacred place within”. Bonnie Kelso.
We are all born with the ability to create, but what keeps us from walking that creative path? We do not really lose our creativity; it is always with us. But we can lose our ability to connect with it. Or worse, we lose our faith in our having any creative ability at all.
It starts with parents, caregivers, and teachers, that need to over correct drawings and other means of free expression, by telling children and young adults; they are wrong, not good at something, or that they must do something a certain way. This over time leads people to develop mental blocks that limit their ability: negative self-talk, perfectionism, laziness, overthinking, the desire to conform, becoming tied to doing a thing a certain way, looking for a good outcome before learning the process.
Other times we put creativity aside because we think there is no space in our lives for it. Other things have been prioritized. Our workload does not seem to allow it. However, the truth is, creativity can add a richness to our lives in all areas and makes the workload more interesting and the outcome much more rewarding.
In the words of Picasso: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Because so many of us have drowned our creative instincts in self-judgment, or allowed others to weigh in to heavily, it can take a great deal of self-awareness to recognize the limiting stories we tell ourselves. It can also take a tremendous amount of courage and will to bypass them…to step into the light of creativity and let it shine brightly in our world. It can also make us feel very vulnerable.
If you feel you lost your creative ability or are lacking it, it is not to late. First you must want to enrich your life by adding it and doing one small thing at a time. You will then see and feel the rediscovery of your creative spirit. Don’t worry about being right, wrong, or doing it poorly. It is part of the learning process. Suspend the critical mind. Create space to enjoy the ride.
Creativity is the ability to view the world in new ways and to make connections between the things we know and things we find we can do with that knowledge. It allows us to expand our knowledge to new and interesting levels. We see hidden patterns and use that information to find new solutions.
But creativity cannot happen if we don’t allow time for it. Sometimes we have intentions of doing something creative but before we know it, the month or week has passed, and we made nothing happen. Sometimes, to get back on the “Creative Path” we must schedule it in, until it becomes a natural part of our life.
If you have not been on the “Creative Path” make art your second act! Find the joy in adding it to your life. If you have been stuck, start back one step at a time, but remember to enjoy the process. Stay safe. Carolyn