I have long wished that I was artistic enough to just pick up a pen or a paint brush and could create whatever came to my mind. I had a conversation with my sister the other day and had an AHA moment where I realized that I had been telling myself "I can't" for so long, that I have never even tried.
I've started watching shows about drawing, reading books about being artristic and reading other peoples blogs about the creative process. All the while hoping that I could just absorb their talent. Paulette Insall, Donna Downey and even my own wonderfully creative sister, Roberta Philbrick, have all been saying (and I have not been listening) that you have to play in order to be creative. Let yourself explore.
So today, while I was home and feeling peckish with the flu, I did a couple of things: First, I didn't turn the TV on - now that is just HUGE for me. I always have the tube on, even if it's just background noise. But we all know what happens when we do that - you become distracted and your creative juices cannot flow!
Oprah has been asking people what can they do without right now with the economic times being what they are. At first I thought, I'm already doing without so much, what more could I give up? I already reduced my cable to just basic cable, no extra fancy schmancy stations, TIVO or DVR options...just 16 channels (I know, even that sounds like a lot to me right now). So, if I don't turn it on, what can I do with my time?
There are so many options that at times it can be overwhelming. It's like watching a child who has too many toys to chose from and play with - what do they do? Nothing! Most will cry or have a temper tantrum because they are overshwhelmed. They will fight with their friends and siblings because someone is using their toy. When you keep the choices limited, you help to create a more calm and peaceful atmosphere. You give the kids an opportunity to use their imaginations instead of creating the environment for them to play.
So, today I kept the TV off, I kept the music off and I began to play. You know music can be an inspirational tool sometimes, but other times, it too can become another distraction. If we never shut it off, then how can we ever hear our own thoughts? (AHA... so that's what meditation is all about - hearing our thoughts!)
Now while getting on the computer can at times become such a distraction that you never accomplish anything, today it was actually an inspiration for me. I took the time to read some blogs,then I created a slideshow of my creative "wares" to post to my blog, email to friends and family and put on my etsy web page. I actually accomplished a lot for one morning!
When I was done with that, and had eaten a decent lunch, I took out my drawing pads and pencils and sat down on the couch and began to doodle. And I created a face with color pencils.
Now, I am my own worse critic, so I had to stop myself from critisizing my drawing for what it wasn't. Instead, I came here to the computer, scanned a copy of it and began to take pride in the fact that I have actually committed to paper something that I had been afraid of doing - I drew a face! Hey, this was kinda fun! And I have to say that I'm proud of myself!
I've started watching shows about drawing, reading books about being artristic and reading other peoples blogs about the creative process. All the while hoping that I could just absorb their talent. Paulette Insall, Donna Downey and even my own wonderfully creative sister, Roberta Philbrick, have all been saying (and I have not been listening) that you have to play in order to be creative. Let yourself explore.
So today, while I was home and feeling peckish with the flu, I did a couple of things: First, I didn't turn the TV on - now that is just HUGE for me. I always have the tube on, even if it's just background noise. But we all know what happens when we do that - you become distracted and your creative juices cannot flow!
Oprah has been asking people what can they do without right now with the economic times being what they are. At first I thought, I'm already doing without so much, what more could I give up? I already reduced my cable to just basic cable, no extra fancy schmancy stations, TIVO or DVR options...just 16 channels (I know, even that sounds like a lot to me right now). So, if I don't turn it on, what can I do with my time?
There are so many options that at times it can be overwhelming. It's like watching a child who has too many toys to chose from and play with - what do they do? Nothing! Most will cry or have a temper tantrum because they are overshwhelmed. They will fight with their friends and siblings because someone is using their toy. When you keep the choices limited, you help to create a more calm and peaceful atmosphere. You give the kids an opportunity to use their imaginations instead of creating the environment for them to play.
So, today I kept the TV off, I kept the music off and I began to play. You know music can be an inspirational tool sometimes, but other times, it too can become another distraction. If we never shut it off, then how can we ever hear our own thoughts? (AHA... so that's what meditation is all about - hearing our thoughts!)
Now while getting on the computer can at times become such a distraction that you never accomplish anything, today it was actually an inspiration for me. I took the time to read some blogs,then I created a slideshow of my creative "wares" to post to my blog, email to friends and family and put on my etsy web page. I actually accomplished a lot for one morning!
When I was done with that, and had eaten a decent lunch, I took out my drawing pads and pencils and sat down on the couch and began to doodle. And I created a face with color pencils.
Now, I am my own worse critic, so I had to stop myself from critisizing my drawing for what it wasn't. Instead, I came here to the computer, scanned a copy of it and began to take pride in the fact that I have actually committed to paper something that I had been afraid of doing - I drew a face! Hey, this was kinda fun! And I have to say that I'm proud of myself!
Today, I began to play.....
