When Creativity Takes a Backseat
As I anxiously awaited the every 15 minute message from my son’s school on lockdown yesterday, I pondered why creativity just didn’t seem very important at the moment. Yes, I was able to keep busy doing some much overdue spring cleaning, but I wasn’t able to motivate myself to do anything creative.
I realized that creativity is a higher-rung need than health, safety and well-being. I flashed back to college psychology class and remembered studying Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs”. Safety is at the foundation of his pyramid of human motivation, and then comes love/belonging. Esteem and then Self-actualization are at the top.
My motivation yesterday revolved around my son’s safety, as so many other parent’s have experienced recently in our painful world. When going through turmoil, either with yourself or a loved one, creativity is not even on the radar. Assembling enough energy to endure the trial leaves no room for creative ideas.
But that’s o.k.
Because there’s times in our lives when the best medicine is just to drink up the creativity someone else has had the time and energy to accomplish. Even be comforted by and enjoy the beauty you’ve created yourself, without needing to attempt anything new.
In sharp contrast, the absence of beauty and creativity can highlight a painful experience. A friend shared how a stark atmosphere at her husband’s first chemotherapy visit depleted her emotions. The hard chairs lined up to administer the treatment felt impersonal and made the whole painful experience more excruciating for her.
Creativity and beauty, or the lack thereof, really do affect our souls.
As I distracted myself cleaning the oil and fuzz from my exhaust fan and hood, I enjoyed my little spring vignette I’d created on the beautiful, character-rich top of our new coffee table {“From Vintage Roof Rack to Cool Coffee Table“}. I sat and read my Bible for assurance on our cute newly covered loveseat {“Adding Vintage Feedsacks to New Furniture“}.
Even though I couldn’t muster up enough energy to be creative at the moment, being surrounded by creativity and beauty nourished my soul. It brought a calm to my mind, reminding me that circumstances won’t always be unsettled. It brought a calm in the eye of the storm.
Surrounding yourself with something pretty, something unique, something beautiful, can reach into our souls during the scariest of times, bringing comfort to remind us… there is Hope.
As I received the all clear message and grabbed my keys to go pick up my son, I sent up a prayer for those who went to their school and drove home with an empty car and a broken heart. I thanked my Lord for protection and the gift of health and life. I even thanked Him for the gift of creativity and beauty. To be able to enjoy creating and to get the honor of blessing others with it is truly a gift.
If you are in a place of pain and suffering, tired of this old world, don’t fret that your creative juices aren’t flowing. This is a time for you to drink up the beauty and creativity that surrounds you. Let it nourish your soul and bring comfort, calm and healing. Sit in a sunbeam for a nap. Pick up a package of bright, happy, spring daffodils. Let your eyes feast on beautiful images of nature, and read something encouraging and inspirational. Enjoy coffee with a friend.
There is a time for everything. A time to create and a time to rest and soak up the beauty and creation that has gone on before.
Here is the scripture that spoke to me yesterday:
Habakkuk 3:17-19
” Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.”
May the joy of creativity and beauty be with you today, friend, whether you are participating in the creation, or just soaking it in!
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So glad your son was safe. Your post is a wonderful reminder. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm!
How frightened you must have been. All week our local law enforcement gave been dealing with threats. By surrounding yourselfwith beauty you create a serene environment. I am glad your son is fine.
Thanks, Debra!