Looking for Greater Success?

I know a lot of very creative people. Photographers, artists, writers, musicians, cooks, seamstresses and this list goes on. Truth is, I believe that everyone has a creative nature. I cringe when someone tells me they don't have a creative bone in their body. I just chuckle because usually those same people have never really looked introspectively at their own gifts and talents or they have never taken the time to develop them.



About seven years ago I was looking for ways to help myself "de-stress" and ran across an advertisement for Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain art classes to be held at the rec center by local artist Melanie Jackson. I had never drawn before. In fact, I would be hard pressed to make a recognizable stick figure. But I have always been creative in the kitchen, the sewing room, home decorating, etc. So I decided to check out the class. It was very hard at first. I sometimes wanted to throw my pencil across the room and shout, "I don't want to do this! It's too hard!" But I also knew that I could use a little discipline in my life and thus I am still taking art lessons seven years later. Each week I know that for two and a half hours I will sit in class with other artistic friends and go into my right brain and produce reasonably good pieces.



Years ago I was encouraged to pursue my writing and my creative nature by author and innovator, Harold McAlindon. He wrote The Little Book of Big Ideas and became a friend to Dan and me. I love that little book. It has some great quotes and passages to encourage creativity. One of my favorites is, "As you nurture your own creativity, life will naturally become more meaningful, satisfying, and enjoyable." Another is, "Creativity is a rare part of living. It's fundamental. None of us can squelch our creativity without feeling less than whole, incomplete and depressed." (Lynn Weiss, Ph.D) I believe if more people who are frustrated over the monotony and/or chaos of their lives took time to discover their creative nature and actually DO something to release that energy, they would look at their circumstances with new eyes.



I can tell when I just need to get in my creative zone. I begin to feel hedged in, unmotivated and depressed. God made me very multi-faceted. He made all of us that way. I think we could take a lifetime just discovering new things about ourselves and those new discoveries could open untold doors to future success. Since taking my art classes I have learned to look at everything with new eyes. It is like getting new glasses and discovering everything is clearer, more vibrant and more beautiful and thus creates new excitement and energy within my soul.



Don't ever get caught saying, "I don't have a creative bone in my body." Instead, think of ways to develop creativity and discover new insights into your personality you never knew before. Harold McAlindon lists these personal gains to developing your own creativity:

1. An intense "aliveness" and increased self-confidence.

2. Reduced stress.

3. An inner sense of well being and peace.

4. More control of your job and your life.

5. Personal satisfaction of experienceing your true self in unique and fulfilling ways.



I encourage you to find a creative outlet. It may not provide your income but it may provide a sense of peace and energy you need to spur you on to greater success in your life!