This is the third in a series of posts on creativity. In my last post, I told a story of how letting myself have a temper tantrum helped me relax and allow my creativity to flow. Now I want to talk about adventures in creativity.
Our souls crave adventure, whether we want to admit it or not. As creative beings (yes, you are creative!), exploring new areas of creativity can refresh and re-energize us. But how do you determine what creative adventure to take?
You listen carefully to your intuition. That still, small voice. The feeling in your gut. That flash of inspiration. Whatever you call it, your creative voice will speak to you if you stop to listen.
Sometimes, your creative voice leads you to paint a portrait or compose a song. Sometimes, it simply tells you to grab the Play Doh, plop down on the floor and have some fun.
Michelangelo’s voice encouraged him to find David in a block of marble and to spend four years of his life painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Picasso’s voice told him to take a chance on his art, establishing the beginning of Cubism. Handel’s voice inspired him to write Messiah. (Click the Messiah link to see the Hallelujah Chorus performed in a food court.)
What’s Your Creative Voice Saying to You?
My creative voice has been encouraging me to get back to drawing. I’ve always enjoyed visual art of just about every form. I took a drawing class a couple of years ago and had a blast. Am I an amazing visual artist? No, but I don’t care. I enjoy it. It refreshes me.
The adventure is in the doing. You can get all caught up in the results, asking yourself if it’s “good enough” and all that garbage, or you can simply listen to your creative voice, take a deep breath and give it a try.
Julia Cameron refers to the “sensuality of the process…the joy of creation, the play of ideas.” Your creative adventure is an exploration of what intrigues you. It’s not about the final results.
What’s holding you back? Not hearing your creative voice? A fear of looking foolish? A fear of not being good enough?
Adventure is all about taking a risk, even if you do it without anyone else knowing. (Hint — that means you don’t have to tell anyone!) As Nike says, “Just do it!” You’ll be glad you did.
