Ranting about creativity
I say this rant is about creativity, and in many ways, it is. But it’s about more than that too.
Sure, it’s often nice to own lots of stuff. I used to, but don’t so much any longer. Since becoming an empty-nester, I find I require little “stuff” to make me happy and that, in fact, the clearing out process has proven very cathartic. Very freeing. It’s the less is more theory for me and now I care far more about creativity! Creating something, anything. It could be a website, a blog, a painting, a drawing, a business, or even a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
I’m certain my willingness to part with things so easily is, at least in part, a result of aging. Although I’ve never been wealthy or very materialistic, I’ve become keenly aware lately that all the things we collect in a lifetime simply don’t matter. They are so temporary. They burn down, blow away, get stolen, disappear in a thousand different ways. But it’s the contributions we make that count. I start every day asking myself “Today, what can I give, what can I contribute, what can I create?”
Because I am an artist, one of the easiest things to create is a pencil drawing. Although I do charge for my portrait work, I also have found a way to give away my drawings through another blog I recently started: http://www.graphitegoddess.com. It’s relatively new, but seems to be attracting an ever-growing audience. My hope is my art simply makes someone else’s day a bit brighter, or brings a smile to their face, or somehow enhances their day. It’s what I can give freely. A talent I was blessed with and love sharing.
So for today, consider what it is you can create, give, share. We each have unique and wonderful talents and abilities and sharing them is far more rewarding than going shopping for more stuff!