Art & Soul Insider Newsletter JAN21

ART

Creativity: “the use of the imagination or original ideas…” Research says that doing something creative, actually gives you a boost of … what? Read on…

Research says that doing something creative, actually gives you a boost of positivity. So, it’s good for you. But how can a person be creative? Remember last newsletter we found out that creativity wasn’t only for the Arts, but was available to everyone. So how does Alice the Artist and Benny the Bank Clerk become creative?

Ursula Leguin says, “The creative adult is the child who survived.” So the answer is be like a child. How can we be more like a child? Children make up rules as they go and they do what they want to do even if it doesn’t make sense. Imagine if you looked at the painting, you’ve been working on, like a child. There is no attachment to the end result (how freeing), just focusing on the moment and playing (how fun). Mary Lou Cook summarizes “Creativity as inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.” Sounds like a child to me.

As adults we often expect that things should turn out great, the first time out, instead of allowing ourselves the freedom to try, fail, try, it’s a bit better now, try, it’s decent and try again. We come to it as work and with great expectations. But, it is through play we learn about the materials…we figure out what works and what doesn’t.

So, I encourage you to play, bust out of your routine and to experiment, and to aim not for perfection, as perfect isn’t real. Kurt Vonnegut says, “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” And to summarize I will quote a famous ad campaign, “Just do it.”

SOUL 

Happy New Year!!!! After a trying 2020, I’m sure all of us appreciate the fact that 2021 is here. 2020 was a mixture of COVID and President Trump, need I say more. But in all seriousness, it was a trying and sad time. COVID altered our plans. Life can have its challenges and then we had COVID on top of it all. Even if we didn’t know it, our stress levels were raised and stayed raised.

With that said, taking care of ourselves is so important. We get so busy in our lives with work, children, activities, friends and family etc., that we often forget about the singular ‘me.’ There are many ways to take action and set up boundaries so that we can tend to our needs; we can look into our workplace and relationships and examine our physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual worlds.

Sometimes when I need to be grounded and reminded that I am safe and loved, I carry a Rose Quartz. A Rose Quartz is a soft pink stone that is said “to open the heart to all types of love. It helps to raise your self-esteem, restore confidence and balance emotions. It is also one of the best crystals to use for positive self-affirmations.” (via Energy Muse ) While touching the stone, say in your mind, “I open my heart to love.”

Here are other ways to take care of you:

• Regular sleep routine
• Take breaks
• Have a healthy diet
• Go for walks (exercise)
• Use your sick leave
• Keep a journal
• Engage in non-work hobby
• Have friends that are supportive
• Take up meditation, TaiChi, QiGong
• Aim for a work-life balance
• Turn off work email & phone once home
• Read
• Go for a massage
• Carry & rub/hold crystal
• Have a gratitude list
• Talk to a friend
• Have a spiritual practice

I encourage you to add a new self-care action, from the list, to add to your life. You might find that you love it. It’s important to take care of yourself, as there is only one of you.