Today I have a very special treat for you, a guest post by the super creative Kristen from PajamaMama! Kristen is a running stay at home mom of three under five, on a quest to make the best NY style pizza to be found in Texas. She cannot take a drive without noticing a few license plates, although she doesn't know what this says about her. And when she thinks about what her hidden heaven name will be, she hope its meaning will include creative, like her maker.
Make sure you check out her blog - she is having a Summer School Art "party" all next week with a different tutorial each day to stretch your creativity! Oh, and there are PRIZES!
How does the Bible start? "In the beginning God created..."
God is the ultimate Creator-wildly, flashy, overtly creative.
Just look at nature.
We cannot even begin to count all the colors and shades and hues that He uses to paint the sky each day. And He created us...
...in His own image.
I believe that means we were created with an ability to create. While only God has the ability to create from absolute nothing, He has put within us the ability and desire to be creative with the resources around us. And when we learn to grow in the abilities and interests He's personally given each of us, or stretch our creativity, we can more deeply understand His nature. Do you want that? I do!
Six Ideas For Engaging In Your Own Creativity
Know That You Are Creative By Nature
I believe every person is creative. Not necessarily with an artistic temperament, or Bohemian attitude. Creativity is as different as each individual, and it is inherent. Have you ever had to "get creative" to occupy a toddler at a restaurant or airport? Look for your creativity in your everyday life.
Get Inspired
For me, this is the easy part. Inspiration is everywhere. When you see something beautiful or meaningful to you, try to break it down. Ask yourself how was it done and how you could re-create it for your circumstances. An old idea applied to a new moment is still creative
Don't Be Afraid To Try New Things
My high school art teacher was famous for saying,
"No guts, no glory."
It does not have to be perfect, and it likely won't be. In a day, imperfections will be less noticeable. In a month, they will add character and charm.
Enjoy The Process
When we step out of our creative comfort zones we can easily become anxious. But creating should not be a chore, but rather a joy, and a thrill. I wonder if during the first 6 days, how much fun God had in creating the world from nothing. Maybe that is why He took 6 days, rather than a blink. Maybe He was savoring each layer or our world's birth.
Take A Step Back
Admire the fruit of your creative endeavor, with little criticism. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect!
Dare To Go Deeper
Ask yourself some more questions. How can your creative passions glorify or bless God? Has God given you a specific creative gift that He wants to delight in or use? Please don't rush over these questions. The answers may not be obvious to you right now, but that does not mean that God has not given you a purposeful creative gift. In fact, I am certain that He has. Just pray that He will reveal it in His time. I will be praying for you, too!
You can follow Kristen on Twitter @KristenPajama
9 comments:
Great list on creativity. I love that God has made us all creative. My mom is always saying she's not creative, which isn't true. She's not crafty, but she's very creative in the kitchen.
Wonderful post! I very much enjoyed it. It also reminded me of some 'artistic endeavors' I've been meaning to try my hand at, as well as continue to cultivate the ones he's already blessed me with.
Welcome Pajama mama. God has made us all creative in one way or the other. Thanks for the great post! I will be cultivating this afternoon!! LOL
Thanks for the inspiration!
--Elizabeth
So true! Great post! I'll be checking this out @ PajamaMama! :)
Thanks Sarah Mae and Kristin! Great post. I am definately one who feels I am NOT creative but have seen over this past year that everything you wrote is absolutely true. We are all creative and we can't let FEAR keep us from trying our hand at things!
Thanks for the inspiring post!
I'm not sure creativity is one of my gifts. Not in the way other people are creative, at least. Although I'm pretty good at creating a mess when I try...
This was a great post. I needed to hear it. I'm too much of a perfectionist too much of the time.
Great post! Can't wait to try some of these out. I've always thought of myself as not being "creative" but when I sit down & actually try to do stuff with my kids, I find I am. Just not in the way I thought was "acceptable." I'm learning new meanings of creativity!! And that God has made me to be the best mom & "art director" to my kids! :)
I really enjoyed this post!! I know that I am creative and blogging is helping bring out that side of me, but I still feel like I need to figure out what is the thing(s) I want to be creative about? I didn't say that well, but hopefully you understood! :)
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