creativity – Tru Original

Articles Tagged with: creativity

Running with the Scissors

Sunshine MW quote with website

This week, I came across this poem from Marianne Williamson and every bit of my heart yelled out “TRUTH”. I read this poem some years ago, but the word TRUTH didn’t come to mind. Maybe the word was bullshit, or lie, or what a load of crap. Regardless, I was not in a place in my life when I could recognize that I had a light and what it would mean if I let it shine.

Even now, when I know that all of us are born with gifts, talents, and “lights”, I sometimes hold back. Why? I could point to many reasons why I hold back…fear that my gifts won’t measure up (to whom I’m not sure), fear that someone will demand something of my gifts and I will be obligated (commitment phob), fear that I will become stifled and unable to produce ( bored and trapped)…ugh! It really doesn’t matter what the fear is telling me because the job of this fear is simply to put out my light. To extinguish the excitement, the courage, the joy, the trust and hold me in a place of stagnation. This fear is the lie that holds us all captive and redirects us from the “Glory of God that is within us”.

So, the image I kept getting in my head all week as I meditated on this poem was a little girl running with scissors. The little girl doesn’t know how dangerous it is to run with scissors, she’s innocent, and she’s not even thinking about the scissors…she’s running ahead to the next paper doll, or snow flake, ready to do what she does…shine.

If you follow me on Facebook or you’re part of my Art and Soul Prompts group, you know that it’s been all about courage and slaying the fear monster this month. You may recognize the above image as our April Soul prompt. if you don’t, be part of the group. I would love to support you along the way.

One last thing, I want to give you a little gift, the above image titled Own Your Light graphic . Print it off and hang it in a place that you will see it first thing in the morning…the mirror, the coffeemaker, the shower door. But don’t just look at it, read the words and believe in Your Light.

Own your light, it’s who you are, a child of God.

Permission Granted

creative adult

I love teaching art workshops! The energy, the connection, the total vibe is just electric for me. Although it’s been over a year since I have taught art to children, they hold the biggest place in my teaching heart. Why? Because they don’t wait for permission to create, it’s just in them, it’s who they are and the world has not squashed that yet. The most challenging thing about teaching children is they don’t wait for instructions…they just begin and keep going until they have a completely different outcome then the project I am trying to demonstrate. And they’re fine with it! They are confident, passionate, and courageous explorers who conquer the canvas as if it were a piñata, ready to spill out with candy.

But then something happens, it seems around middle school, when the world gets hold of them and tells them they suck, or art is not a “boys” thing, or elephants aren’t purple! They start asking me questions like…”does this look ok?”. ” Should I paint it blue or pink?” Or they make comments like, ” His is better then mine!” We get our creative butts kicked.

We grow up and feel all insecure about being different or artsy. Standard is safe. We lose confidence and push away that creative lifestyle, that creative idea. I don’t mean a crafty life, although some people make Pinterest a lifestyle and it may spark a flame. I mean a life that draws outside the lines, lives outside the box, and believes that what we have to contribute is unique. You become the pioneer!

Living a creative life is special because when you are living in that zone of confidence, passion, and courage, you become a trail blazer. You blaze the way for others to truly live in their passion and purpose. Then you know what happens? World peace! Just kidding…kinda. What happens is we start giving ourselves and others permission to screw up. We understand that being true to ourselves means sometimes being misunderstood, making mistakes, and maybe being over looked. That’s good! Lot’s of opportunity to grow in courage, confidence, and forgiveness during those moments.

So who knew that your art journal, those funky and bright fingernails, or building that wooden igloo was making you a better lover? Just ask the people around you.

I think living a creative life empowers our hearts to love with more depth, understanding and courage .