I have been thinking a lot lately about creativity. I had a simple, yet profound, realization. Regardless of how creative you are or hope to be, if you do not make intentional time to be creative, you will not be. I simplified this concept in a tweet a few weeks ago: schedule time for creativity. No time = no creativity.
My wife, Lisa, bought me a new Nikon D3100 camera for my birthday. I was so excited about this gift because it was a total surprise. Lisa and I usually only have a nice dinner at home or out for each others’ birthday. The best thing about this gift was not the camera though, but her encouragement of my creativity. That’s why I love her so much! She knew that with a quality camera, it would foster my desire to express my creativity through photography. I have always loved photography ever since I took a class in college. And sure enough, the next day I was compelled to pull over on my drive home to capture an image of beauty.
God has also been teaching me patience in the last few months. I have consciously slowed my life down in a number of areas. The quick death of my grandmother forced me to put life into perspective. Getting pulled over for a speeding ticket, literally slowed me down while driving. The camera is the latest tool slowing me down to recognize and appreciate the beauty around me.
So in light of what I am learning, I challenge you to schedule time to express your God-given creativity. I also challenge you to learn patience in the midst of your busy life. You and the world around you will be better as a result.
Tags: art, beauty, creativity, patience, photography, time
I whole heartedly agree, Mike, about making time for creativity. It is a gift God gives to us, and in order to exercise that gift, we need to make the time to do it! I did just that this past Friday for a few days, when I intentionally went to the Parish Resource Center to work on two art pieces to submit for an “Advent” art exibit. The theme is “longing for the light”. I used “wordle” to create two different images – one that features the words ” Longing for the Light” – and then 125 other words that are describtive of negative human conditions which cause us to “long for the Light”. The companion piece uses the words “Veni Domine Isus” – “Come, Lord Jesus” ( the closing words of Revelation), with 125 positive words that describe the difference Christ makes or the gifts he brings into our lives. Interestingly, the shapes I developed using the random “Wordle” application make a cross type shape for the negative words. the Posititve words developed in to a “baby wrapped in swaddling clothes” shape— how cool…Now to get them enlarged and framed.
David – That sounds like a really cool concept. I would love to see it.