Creativity on any level – be it observation, thought, or action – can positively affect our lives. If some of you never had a creative outlet or let one slip away without regret, you might not understand the importance of finding time to think and act creatively. For others, including myself, we sometimes need a reminder or even a gentle push to get us moving again. Maintaining creative desire takes action.

It’s easy to get so bogged down with everyday activities that we don’t even realize we’ve stopped thinking and acting creatively. It’s sad to admit that the last painting I completed was in December 2013. I could give you a list of whys and all the things I’ve accomplished since then, but that’s not the point. The fact is, much of what I completed didn’t come with a deadline, nor was it urgent to start something new. So why do I push myself to finish all these projects over enjoying some quality time in my studio? Why don’t I make time for creative activity? Passion for anything dissipates if not kept active.

How about you?  Do you ever get so busy that your creative endeavors lose their appeal?  Or you wish you could get back to them, but it’s hard to make it a priority again?

In my book there’s a story about a schoolteacher who told me, “Only two more years till I retire, then I’m going to play the organ and the piano and do all kinds of fun stuff.”  She was so excited about the prospect of unleashing her creative cravings.  I thought, “Why wait?”  Her kids are grown and gone, and she has the time now, if she would only make it a priority.

I had the opportunity to speak with this woman recently and realized it had been eight years since our last conversation. With anticipation, I asked her about playing the organ and piano.  I wanted to hear her story, now that she’s retired. Her answer was sad; she said that she doesn’t do either.  When I asked her why, she said she just never gets around to it.  No action was ever taken.  The spark of creative desire was gone.

Time, or should I say, the lack thereof, is one of the biggest hindrances people have in finding creative fulfillment.

When someone or something is important to us, we adjust our schedules to make time.  Why, then, do so many of us feel it’s wrong to set aside a block of time to work on creative things? Releasing artistic expression increases our emotional and physical energy levels and helps rejuvenate our ability to meet responsibilities with a better attitude. We should never put our creative desire on a shelf, or keep it locked away within our souls, nor should we save it for a future date when we think we’ll have the time.

That time might never come, or we may end up losing interest.  Yes, it takes effort to keep creativity alive, but the rewards are worth it.  So, now that I’ve motivated myself, it’s off to start a new painting.  Whatever your creative outlet is, I hope you will join me.

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