Created to be Creative

I have a story We don’t need to be all sufficient by ourselves

As many of you know, I wrote a book about creativity. In a nutshell, my emphasis is about how to find and use our God-given talents. How we need to push past our insecurities and work at developing our abilities. Within those 65,000 words I touched on this point: if you’re not good at a particular creative outlet, don’t quit, just be willing to try other things until you find what works for you. I still believe this is good advice, but since publishing my book, I’ve learned an important lesson. It’s okay if others help.

I have a passion for writing. I love to write and I just finished my first novel. I could say, see, all my time and effort have paid off. But that’s only part of the story. My abilities alone haven’t carried me to success. It took others—those who were willing to help me through this process—the ones who pointed out problems with the plot and those who are helping me fix the grammar.

I used to ask God, why did you give me such a strong desire to write, but then not give me the ability to be good at it? What would take someone else ten minutes to write, takes me hours. Why are words my favorite thing, but it’s such a struggle to get them right? I don’t even post a blog without having someone proof it first. It was my husband, Ron, who helped me see the bigger picture. He said, but Arleen, God gave you the story! We can help with the grammar.

I still get frustrated when a typo stares me in the face and I miss it or I use the wrong punctuation, but I’m so thankful I didn’t give up on this creative outlet. Yes, God gave me a story and I was faithful to do my part and get it written down. Then He surrounded me with people who have the strengths that I don’t. I’ve learned I don’t have to have all the abilities myself, but I do have to face my weaknesses and be willing to ask for help.

We don’t need to be all sufficient by ourselves. We need each other. It’s okay to have weaknesses as long as we don’t let them cause us to quit. Yes, we should work at improving our creative outlets, but also be willing to accept advice. Surround yourself with people who will bring out the best in you. If you’re strong in certain areas of expertise, I hope you realize your strength could help someone else achieve their goals. Our abilities have purpose beyond ourselves. Together, we can prosper. We can reach higher heights and bless more people with our talents.

I’ve dried my eyes and gotten over my pity-party. I accept the fact that I don’t have the ability to write a perfect novel. My family and friends will be the very reason, at the end of this long and tedious process, that you will have story worth reading! Thank you to those of you who believe in this project and are willing to share your abilities with me. I am forever grateful.

Arleen Jennings is the author of:
Created to be Creative
find purpose & fulfillment through creative outlets
to purchase book Click Here
eBook available

YOLO There is truth in the YOLO philosophy, but truth is an interesting specimen

by Ron Jennings

Maybe it’s because I’ve reached the point where I’m eligible for a senior citizen discount at some retail establishments. Or possibly because the job I have involves sitting behind a desk for a majority of the day. Whatever the reason I have an increasing regard for the zest I see in the lives of many young people. I feel this strange combination of admiration and humor when I hear one of them use the term “YOLO.” Said with enthusiasm, it may be the challenge given to the more reserved to step out of a comfort zone or perhaps the confident justification of the more adventurous relating the details of some daring exploit completed near the border between heroic and crazy. YOLO—You Only Live Once. I appreciate the sentiment. Life is short and tomorrow is not promised to us. Quite frankly, I’m often reminded of opportunities I have missed over the years because I didn’t set aside my fears in order to meet a challenge head on. Sadly, many of those opportunities were like the rare sighting of a comet or some other such spectacle which presented itself momentarily and will not be seen again in my lifetime. YOLO—indeed!

There is, however, a concern I have that this valuable outlook is sometimes shortsighted in its presentation. I believe YOLO is just the abbreviated acronym of a much larger truth, one that reaches further and is more crucial. I’m convinced the term should really be YOLOATTJ—You Only Live Once And Then The Judgment. I know, it doesn’t roll off the tongue like YOLO. In fact it looks much too difficult to even pronounce, but then, whole-truths are never quite as easy as half-truths. Too often I have seen YOLO presented as a justification for some irresponsible action or behavior. Something like, “Come on. You don’t have to tell your fiancé where we’re going. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. YOLO!” Or, “You should just buy that big screen TV. So what if you don’t have the money—just charge it. YOLO!”

There is truth in the YOLO philosophy, but truth is an interesting specimen. In a court of law, each witness lays a hand on the Bible and swears to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” That’s because truth is an all-or-nothing proposition. It’s not enough to embrace one truth. That would be like watching one scene in a movie and thinking you’ve just seen the entire film. You haven’t embraced truth unless your quest is for the whole truth. Also, one truth can be peddled as part of a broader lie, which is like adding sugar to a bowl of mud and believing you’ve mixed up a batch of brownies. To discover the whole truth, you have to reject all lies—even the ones seasoned with a pinch of truth. The “just a dash of truth” pitfall is why we have to be careful with this YOLO mantra. Using this truth to justify traveling down the road called “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” is a recipe for destruction and disappointment. Oh, the truth is in there, but it’s like sugar in the bowl of mud. The sweetness quickly fades and we’re left holding a pan of dirt.

It is true that life is short and opportunities often pass never to return. We must grasp that reality if we are going to make our days on this earth count for something. Take a risk. Push aside the fears that you’ll fail and dare to make a difference in the world. But remember: what you sow you will also reap. The works you plant in this natural realm will bear fruit in the eternal realm. It would be wise to frame your plans and purposes with these truths:

Psalms 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Hebrews 9:27 “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give an account of himself unto God.”

YOLO…ATTJ Guest Blog by Ron Jennings

Arleen Jennings is the author of:
Created to be Creative
find purpose & fulfillment through creative outlets
to purchase book Click Here
eBook available

Practice, anyone? All success requires practice

by Arleen Jennings

Most of us enjoy doing things that go beyond our daily responsibilities. For some, its gardening, cooking, or crafts, for others its painting, writing, or music. Then there are sports: hiking, golf, yoga or working out at the gym, along with team sports where available. The list could continue, but you get it. These are all fun, gratifying activities; but enjoyment from these doesn’t come easy. Each of them takes time, effort, practice, patience, strength and a good dose of determination. All these things depend upon individual goals and how important it is to the ones participating. Practice, anyone?

For example: I put a lot of time and effort into my garden because there’s nothing quite like gathering fresh vegetables for dinner throughout the summer and fall. I find this gratifying because I know everything is organically grown, healthy and yummy. Plus there’s the satisfaction of accomplishment; producing bushels of food, making homemade salsa and freezing or storing the extra veggies for winter. These are all enjoyable parts of gardening, even though they take work. But now let’s back up to spring. The weeds already have a stronghold and must be removed, the soil requires tilling, and fresh mulch and composting must be added so the ground is renewed and ready for planting. Not my favorite part of the process, but a needed one to produce a strong and plentiful harvest.

As I’ve mentioned recently, writing has become my favorite creative thing, yet I find it the most difficult because it doesn’t come easy to me. Unlike gardening, hard work doesn’t always pay off and half finished stories and blog ideas hide on my computer or on a scrap piece of paper. They sit there dormant with no guarantee spring will come to revive them. No guarantee of blooms or fruit. Yet ideas frequent my thoughts, looking for expression; so I write.

For years my husband encouraged me to just sketch. To practice.To hone my skills as an artist. To paint, simply paint and not need it to become a finished piece of art. Adding often, “This is not a waste of time; your art will be better for it.” He was right! Now he’s telling me the same thing when it comes to writing. “Practice. Do character sketches. Work on your back-story. Learn to tell your stories in such a way it compels your readers to want more; giving them something to look forward to.” I know what he’s saying, because I personally know a few very talented authors and I eagerly read their every word.

I know I’m not even close to their level of excellence, to wield the pen so masterfully that others crave more of what they have to say. Their words are beautiful and compelling. Their abilities are so far beyond my own that this alone could cause me to quit and say why bother? I should just leave the writing to those with more talent. Yet I’ve learned it’s better to try and possibly fail than to not try at all. They do not have my stories, only I can tell them. I must find a way to make my words better, to make my characters come alive and to triumph over adversity.

My husband and daughters, all skilled writers, have offered to help. They push me. They make me learn grammar. They see potential and want my story to come to life. Yet they’re honest and point out weaknesses and show me ways to make it better. Their belief in my story pushes me to continue. So for the time being I write, I sketch, I re-write and practice; which is time consuming and challenging. The growing pains have begun, along with the frustrations that come with not yet having the ability to articulate my story to the quality it deserves. But challenges and beating the odds make great stories. In the past, I focused on publishing my self-help book, “Created to be Creative” and writing motivational blogs. But now I’ve set my sights on a completely different kind of writing, fiction and allegories. It’s uncharted territory for me, but I’m not one to shy away from difficult goals.

I want you, my readers to know, I won’t post blogs as often, but I will be writing.

Yes, I’m writing a story. Eventually, I will share it with you.

Arleen Jennings is the author of:
Created to be Creative
find purpose & fulfillment through creative outlets
to purchase book Click Here
eBook available

what gives? Have you ever found yourself busier than you want to be?

by Arleen Jennings

“As you read these questions, be sure to think about your answers. Have you ever found yourself busier than you want to be? Has it been by choice or circumstance?

When you find yourself in these situations, do you let some things slide? If yes, what gives?
Or do you try to do everything? If yes, has the quality of your results lessened to make up for the volume of things?

For me, the answer is yes to all of the above. Especially this time of year; it wares me out. I simply have too much to do and not enough of me to go around. I have a tendency to work at a frantic pace trying to get everything done that I need to. Yet at times it’s so much, something has to give. The problem is—I find the wrong things slipping—like how much I read my Bible. I usually read at least some every day, but recently I’ve been so busy that some days I haven’t taken the time to read God’s word. That’s not only sad, it’s wrong.

So why is it when my life is overcrowded with things and obligations, that it’s the eternal things I let slip? This is not to say I don’t let other things slide, like folding laundry… but seriously, can you relate?

Proverbs 6:20-23 tell us, “My son, keep your father’s commandments, and do not forsake the law of your mother; bind them continually upon your heart forever, tie them around your neck. When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you. For the commandment (God’s Word) is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”

Why is Solomon admonishing us, “to keep the commandments, to bind them continually upon our hearts forever?” Because he knew the fallen nature of man would easily gravitate away from the things of God. There is protection in God’s word. His safety net only works though, when we use it! When we know, and do, what God’s word tells us. Too often we allow verses to become cliché and don’t apply them to our lives. For example:
“Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
“I will delight myself in Your statutes: I will not forget Your word.” Psalm 119:16
“You wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16

There are so many scriptures that talk about seeking, continuing, doing, and not forgetting… They are there to remind us just how easy it is to let the things of God in our lives slip and not remain as important to us as they once were. I’m not talking about falling back into sin—but the trick of the enemy is to cause us to become lukewarm and often we don’t even realize it.

If your life is extremely full, even if it’s just for a season, don’t allow the things of God be “what gives.” Because when the season passes, a renewed zeal for the things of God won’t just magically return. It takes effort on our part to stay faithful and strong in Jesus! Better to miss a favorite TV show, or say I won’t spend time on Facebook (etc.), until after I’ve read my Bible.

Maybe we are busy in other ways and it will take a little less sleep so we can get up earlier to make sure God and His word and prayer are the things we always make time for. Our adversary is real and he’s extremely faithful to his job! “The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
This abundant life comes when we are faithful to the call of God and continue daily in His word.

Arleen Jennings is the author of:
Created to be Creative
find purpose & fulfillment through creative outlets
to purchase book Click Here
eBook available

creative outlets

by Arleen Jennings

I recently had the pleasure of talking with two different ladies about creative things. One told me about her personal journey, the other described what she was doing with a group setting. What caught my attention in both situations was their excitement. I love meeting people, hearing their stories and gaining insight from their experiences. It is my heart’s desire to inspire people to find and use their creative outlets; but just because this is my passion, doesn’t mean I don’t need encouraging from time to time. Seeing, hearing and partaking in others’ creative journeys stirs my own creative flame and keeps me on track so I can continue to motivate.

I had just met the first lady, and while we talked she showed me a piece of her art. She explained that this piece was done in a very different style from her other paintings. It was then she discovered that I was the author of, Created to be Creative. With a big smile she said, “Oh, you’re Arleen? I’ve read your book; it is a pleasure to meet you.” She went on to tell me how she had always had a desire to be creative, but it wasn’t until she read my book about six years ago that she seriously started developing her talents.

Apple Tree w/ Red Fruit by Paul Ranson

Talking about getting a needed boost! This wasn’t a proud moment or a praise me, praise me moment, but a happy moment. A moment when I realized all the time and effort I put into writing my book – and even now, trying to faithfully write new blogs – is worth it, because others are moved to action. We can have all the talent in the world, but without action, we will never benefit from the personal fulfillment and no one else will ever be blessed by our efforts. This woman writes and paints, and though she wasn’t ready to show her work on my blog, she’s faithfully working toward improving her talents. There’s no harm in her not wanting to put her work out for the masses to see, but knowing it was good enough to do so says something and seeing her enthusiasm was fantastic. Plus, she’s already shared some of her art with family and friends.

Bev Rhett teaching her class

The second lady, Bev, took the time to explain a painting class she was teaching later in the week. She has several people coming to her studio, all at different skill levels, and they’re each going to paint their interpretation of the same painting. She picked a fun and colorful piece of art and she’s excited to see what everyone will come up with. I said this in my book, but I’ll say it again here, “There’s nothing so infectious as a room full of creative people excited about being creative.” That’s an added benefit of a friendly setting where the artists can relax, paint, and enjoy each other’s company. Apple Tree with Red Fruit by Paul Ranson is the painting she’s using for the class. (These photos were sent to me after the class.)

So whether you enjoy doing creative things in a group setting or in the privacy of your own home, it matters not. What’s important is that you put forth the effort to use your talents. The joy on these ladies’ faces reminded me of all the benefits of using our creative outlets. In a nutshell, creativity is good for us on a personal level and it’s a blessing to others. Amen!

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

the end game What gets you to think and act creatively?

by Arleen Jennings

What gets you to think and act creatively? For most of us the answer will be the end game. We picture the finished product or see the result of what we want to accomplish in our mind. Knowing the end is worth the effort adds fresh energy to start and work on projects. There will be times though when each of us will need something to jumpstart the creative process. An external stimulant that causes creative thinking and the action that will follow. For example, some quilters can find motivation in a pile of colorful material. They look at the cloth and see a finished quilt, arousing their creative desire. Other quilters find their muse by having a specific purpose for a quilt and the process begins with a plan and going to buy the needed materials to make it happen. Both scenarios cause creative thinking which turns into productive activity. They could see the end game, which gave them a starting point.

I seldom draw solely for the fun of it, but if I have a picture of something that would be even sweeter as a drawing, (or in the case of the children here, I used two different pictures to make one adorable one,) I’ll gladly put forth the effort and willingly work toward that end. The goal, the finished piece of art, moves me to action.

Bloggers often need external happenings or current events to come up with a topic worth writing about. I don’t know too many writers who can just start a blog with no end game in mind and come up with satisfactory results. People are busy and don’t want to waste their time reading just any old thing. They want substance, something that will inspire or even provoke their own thoughts to take action. Again, the end game, the purpose for the blog is what pushes writers to action.

Our ability to think creatively also depends on where we are in life and what we’re focusing on at the time. While I was working on my book, Created to be Creative, everything I saw, heard, or thought about gave me ideas and it was easy to write about creative topics. Now that it’s been a few years since publication, it takes more to spark my interest in

writing about creative things because I figured I already put all that information in my book. My thought was, I’m basically trying to come up with another way to say what’s already been said. Yet this mindset stops creative growth, because the very nature of being creative is coming up with fresh ideas and taking action. I’ve learned that there should never be an end of creative ideas and so there will always be a plethora of ways to encourage people to find and use their talents.

The way I want to encourage you today is to see the end game, see what you want to accomplish in your mind’s eye and work toward achieving that goal. When one project is complete, think of a new one and if you need external motivation, that’s okay. Open your eyes and ears to all the possibilities and keep your creative aspirations active.

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