Happiness Tool #4: Creativity

We are each born with the desire to create and self express. It feels wonderful to create something that didn't exist before, doesn't it? A painting, a poem,  an engine, a business plan, a garden, a building, a relationship, a speech,  a pie, etc...

As children, most of us drew in coloring books, sculpted with modeling clay, made up plays, painted pictures, or worked on other types of art projects either at home or at school. Unfortunately, as adults, we can tend to get so wrapped up in the duties of everyday life, that we let our creative pursuits take a back seat. Recently though, artistic expression has been gaining popularity among the "grown up" crowd. Coloring books for adults have been selling out of craft stores and book stores with claims that making art can help us to become more mindful and resilient. I haven't purchased one(yet), but can tell you from experience that participating in any sort creative activity can bring great intrinsic satisfaction. In his beautiful talk entitled "Happiness, Our Heritage", President Dieter F. Uchdtorf said, "Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty."

So, where do we start? Here are a few suggestions:

     *Sign up for a class in something you've never done before. Creativity flourishes when you push yourself outside of your comfort zone. If you feel you don't have the time or money for a formal class, search pinterest or youtube for fun tutorials.

     *Keep a notebook and use it. When creative ideas come to your mind, write them down immediately, then follow up as soon as you can.

     *Stop watching television!

     *Make a collage. This doesn't have to have a purpose other than fun and the beauty of making something.

     *Make a list(or fill a box) with things you love. Think of all the things that delight you in this world.

      *Revisit hobbies from your past.

     *Try a new recipe

     *Set your table in a different way.

     *Get up early and watch the sunrise.

     *Listen to music you've never listened to before.

     *Take photos.

     *Beautify a space.

     *See how many smiles you can create on the faces of others.

     *Go see (or participate in) a live play, live music, or live anything! 

     *Join a choir.

     *Plan and carry out a "themed" dinner. (My kids LOVE this one!)

     *Visit a new place.

     *Host a craft night.

     *Visit your local library. Libraries are full of things with the ability of sparking creativity!

     

Early LDS Church President Brigham Young once said, "There is a great work for the Saints to do. Progress, and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations. In the mean time, continually seek to adorn your minds with all the graces of the Spirit of Christ."(Brigham Young, Deseret News, Aug. 8, 1860, 177).

Begin today to appreciate and cultivate the truly amazing creative ability that lies within you!