Creative Spirits

Several weeks ago I was tasked with helping my daughter make a creative and detailed diorama. Immediately I drew a blank; there was no way I could help her transform a shoebox into something fabulous and creative. Since we were snowed in there was plenty of time to figure out how to make a miracle happen. I spent almost a whole day brainstorming and insisting that I never had to do things like this when I was my daughter's age. Did the teachers even consider the parents when they dream up these projects?

Looking for a sympathetic ear I called my mother for comfort. She listened patiently as I expressed my frustration at the amount of work to be done and how things weren’t like this when I was growing up. After about five minutes my mother interjected and reminded me that I not only had projects, but it started much earlier, were more frequent AND we didn’t have the luxury of the internet. There were projects due almost every week and apparently I had a knack for putting things together.

So what happened to my childlike creative energy? Sure, I have been blessed with new creative talents but did the old ones fall away? With determination and excitement I helped my daughter with her project. And wouldn’t you know it, things started coming together and I began to remember. YES! I could make magic with pipe cleaners, rubber cement and felt….and a little glitter always makes everything special.

As I grew up and said goodbye to my adolescent years I told myself that I had to be more serious, more mature and that there was no time for immature, creative pursuits. After we finished the project I felt renewed, inspired.... and dare I say, more youthful!

We are all born creative spirits. From being musically inclined to having a unique eye for colors, our creative side begins in our youth. It is a blessing that grows with us, if we allow it to. As adults our lives may be very structured and devoid of creative pursuits, but know that this side of our personalities creates balance and oftentimes, happiness.

Happiness comes from living fully and freely. In order to live life to the fullest we must all honor our creative side. If you are at a loss for what your creative nature holds take a trip down memory lane, reconnect to your creative side and you'll be sure to remember hidden talents. Pull out the finger paint or Play Dough, let loose and have fun!

The Opinion Trap

Recently I was watching a show about a cooking competition on TV and one of the contestants was hugely criticized by one of the judges on the dish he prepared. Unfazed by the harsh words he shrugged it off and said that it was all a matter of opinion and he felt he did a good job and that's all that mattered. The other contestants looked at him in disbelief and voiced that he should accept the constructive criticism and make the appropriate changes. He reaffirmed his belief in what he presented and advised that if given another opportunity he wouldn’t change a thing.

His statement reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by an unknown author that states "your opinion of me is none of my business." When I first heard the quote I thought, “now what the heck does that mean????.” How could we discount opinions? They are important for our growth, right? As a child I was taught to uphold certain standards and keep in mind how others will react or what they would say. Growing up I had a very "interesting" sense of style and my mother would lovingly tell me that everyone may not get it. Not wanting people to judge me or tell me that I looked silly I would change. As I grew older I found myself trying to stay with whatever was in Vogue¬ despite my secret desire to mix polka dots and plaid!

When I began my healing journey years ago I realized that I was living my life based on what others would think of me or say about me. Instead of bracing myself for constructive criticism I would try to avoid it altogether and be what I thought others expected me to be. I found that this caused me a great deal of mental stress. I vowed to let go and live my life as I wanted to, regardless of what someone may think or say.

Are you stuck in a hold pattern or afraid to express who you really are because others may not understand or get it? Does the thought of constructive criticism make you cringe and unwilling to do the things you want to do? Sometimes we look for validation outside of ourselves when actually the only opinion that counts is our own. This life is yours to live, however you want. There will always be opinions; YOU decide which ones count and which ones don't.

So put on our polka dots and plaid and live life freely!

Creating Karma

A few weeks ago I did something that I haven't done in a very long time - I watched the news. I decided a long time ago that I would only watch the news long enough to check on the weather or traffic. If I watched any longer I would often feel drained, angry, paranoid or just plain fed up. A story about a fatal attack on a mother and her teenage daughter in their home caught my attention. They lived very close to me and apparently this was the second case involving a vicious attack on a mother and her daughter in the area. The story left me in tears and angry that someone could so callously take precious lives. Then paranoia crept, I have a daughter and sometimes we are home alone. I ran around the house, checked all the locks, turned the alarm system on and grabbed tightly held my confused daughter.

The story stayed on the news and I made it a point to tune in every day that week. I prayed that those responsible were caught and brought to justice. I watched the news every single day, sometimes twice a day. Each day that I watched I felt a little more saddened and frustrated that justice hadn't been delivered.

At the end of the week I finally turned the television off and emotionally disconnected. This was a horribly tragic event and I was sad that it happened…. but there was nothing I could do about it and seeing justice done would not change the fact that precious lives were lost. It is not my job to be judge and jury. Instead of harping on the sadness I instead sent love and light to the families.

In life, we are constantly creating our own karma. Some of us may feel that karma is about judgment or an eye for an eye, but it isn’t. Karma is simply the universal law of cause and effect. Every action, every word, every thought carries energy out into the universe and shapes our present and future experiences.

Wayne Dyer says “how people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” So the next time someone steals your parking space, cuts you in line without permission or makes a rude comment just smile knowing that it’s not about you. Continue to create good karma in your life by detaching from the need to see justice done or to deliver payback.

Today and each and every day: live your life fully, honestly and with respect for yourself, others and nature.