Who Has Time For Creativity?

“Creativity takes courage.”  Henri Matisse 

As our quote reminds us, being a creative spirit takes guts and it also takes time. One of my blog readers explained that being inspired wasn't so much her problem, it was finding the time to be creative that was causing her the angst.  Anybody empathize with that?

Most of us are not artists or creative spirits for our full time job.  And no doubt, you too sometimes find yourself barely having time to take care of the basics, much less start that quilt, finish that painting, write that book, redecorate the bedroom or turn that 'same ole' meal into a chef's delight. So what can we do to box up the inspiration until we have time to put it into action?  Our evil foe 'resistance' would like us to give in to the pressures of daily chores, forget the inspiration, and give up on even thinking we have space in our lives for our creative projects, much less our inner child.

Last week when I was visiting one of my children, I found an article in a North Carolina newspaper.  It was about a couple that had given up their secure jobs, their savings, their home, their cars and their stuff, and moved from the city life to the Smokey mountains.  As new owners of a campground, they now drive only a single golf cart that allows them to go from cabin to cabin doing repairs.  They aren't making a ton of money, but they are living their dream.  I was really inspired by the article, and wanted to use it for a blog,  but had my hands and heart full  spending time with my grandchildren,  so I asked my daughter if I could keep her newspaper.  I decided I would create an inspiration collection box.  I can keep copies of inspiring stories, photos, scratch paper with great ideas jotted down, and fleeting thoughts that I managed to throw a net over.  Then when I have more time, I can pull the story or idea out and get re-inspired and perhaps include it in a later article, blog or book.  And besides I've got more important creative opportunities...I'd rather use my creativity today to spread bright blue icing onto birthday cupcakes for a two year old....

My inspiration box will also be a great reminder to me that when I get overwhelmed with my daily chores and can't find time to work on that big creative project,  that I haven't given in to the dark side of resistance, instead I'm safely packing away my treasured inspirations for another day, and putting a creative touch into what's in front of me, right now... today.

Finding time is like many challenges in our lives ....we need to approach it with 'small steps.' Instead of thinking that we have to do 'all or nothing'...we can find other ways to bring creativity to our day.  And for those of you who may have the courage, but not the time, here's some additional advice from Jamie Ridler, an artist blogger. http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/creative-time

Homework: How about making your own inspiration box.  Start now to gather and save up your inspirational treasures.

Post your thoughts on the blog or email me at: Smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com