There's this feeling I get - I start feeling lethargic and rundown, just not quite like myself. I almost feel like there's something missing.
I start going through the list of things that might be bugging me; did someone say something that hurt my feelings? Have I not gotten enough sunshine? Am I not eating enough vegetables?
And I realize I haven't created anything for awhile.
I always hesitate to say that I'm an artist. I'm not particularly skilled at painting and I've never sculpted anything in my life. What I'd call myself is a maker.
I feel most myself when I am creating. Working with my hands is what makes me feel alive. Making beautiful things is what makes me feel closest to God. My contentment in life is largely dependent upon what I make with these two hands that are typing these words on the keyboard.
But life gets in the way. Until we moved to Nebraska, it had been more than a year since I had made something just because.
Once we got here, though, I started sewing. I made a couple of valances for the kitchen, then some curtains for the living room, and pretty soon I'd made things for every room downstairs. And I felt happier, more contented.
When I am in my creative flow it's almost like God coming through my fingertips. It is a joy and a peace I rarely get from anything else.
Not everyone is a creative soul like I am, and that's okay! Creating with my hands is what makes my heart sing. I'm not saying everyone should pick up knitting or sewing to feel fulfilled. No way! Find what makes your heart sing. Find what makes you feel closer to God when you're in "the zone."
Have you already found what makes your heart sing? Tell me about it in the comments below! If you haven't, what will you try next?
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I believe what you are describing is akin to worship, and is a desire put in us by our Maker, who obviously loves to be creative too! I have had that experience you are talking about, there is nothing like it! But for me there seems to be levels of that experience. When you write about that feeling of something missing, I think of when I've not taken time to listen to my favorite music and sing aloud with all my heart. I begin to feel my spirit dry and my joy looses some of it's effervescence. Music is a must for me. But also the creativity, which I've learned, includes gardening. There is something about taking tiny seeds and nurturing them into fruitful plants that brings a sense of contentment and delight! Not to mention the marvel I experience at the miracle that I've witnessed. Yes, it truly feeds my soul as well as my body!
ReplyDeleteDan and I were just talking about that tonight, actually. We were created in God's image and He is a creator (THE creator), so it makes sense that as humans we have the innate desire to make.
DeleteWow! I love to hear that about gardening. I haven't experienced that for myself, but that's a really cool example.
I really, really love to bake something new and challenging. When I go to a friend's house for supper, I rarely make something I've tried before. (unless I've run myself out of time ...) It wasn't until recently that I realized this is a bit strange. Afterall, what if something goes wrong in the process? But I enjoy the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI also love to convey to students my enthusiasm about chemistry. Teaching students about how hemoglobin binds O2 in the lungs, but delivers it in the tissues makes me SUPER excited. Yeah, I'm nerding out here. But if I can't show my true self, I guess I'm not getting UNcomfortable enough.
Keep on keeping on, lady! Thanks for the daily "PUSH!"
Oh, Amanda! You and I are such kindred spirits. Haha! I totally get that way about science-y stuff too. Medicine makes me geek out in extraordinary ways.
DeleteVery interesting that you find your Zen in the unknown! That's definitely unusual, at least to me, but really cool that you know that's something you love and is a reflection of the true you! There's nothing I love more than people who choose to be their authentic selves. Nothing strange about that in my opinion!
Thanks for your encouragement, Amanda!
I'm a little behind on my 31 Days reading (ooops). But I just wanted to say that I totally agree with this post. I try to explain this to my husband all the time. It took me forever to figure it out about myself. I struggle to say that I am an artist but I do feel like we are all called to create since we are made in the image of the Creator. It's amazing how knitting or writing or sewing can completely change my attitude. Thanks for putting words to this.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about mine here: http://stalwartsoulseeker.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/the-uncomfortable-challenge-day-6-nurture-the-creative-soul/
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