Create: to bring into existence (Merriam-Webster)
Create: to transform materials or to make visible (Susan)
Welcome to day 3 of the A to Z blogging challenge
Today’s letter is 
!
And here at Soul Blossom Living, at least for today, C is for Create! There’s still a couple more days to sign up if you want to join the fun!
What did you create today?
When I think of creating, I think first of the arts. I love to use paint, words, wool, fabric. But really we create all of the time. I created dinner today:
As I read the definition, I thought we don’t really create from nothing most of the time. To create dinner, I use materials that already exist–that who knows how many people planted, harvested, packed, put into the grocery store, etc. The same for creating with paint or fiber–or writing, for that matter. I can’t write without something to write on–often that’s my computer. I know people who can make computers, but I’m not one of them–and even they need to start with something that came from somewhere.
Creating from nothing
Of course, a dance or song might use only our bodies. And like Tibetan sand paintings, the things we make don’t have to last a long time. My dinner didn’t last too long!
There is something very striking about creating a beautiful, intricate mandala only to sweep it away at the end. I’m not sure I would have it in me to do all that work and then brush it away. But there’s a good lesson to be learned from these paintings. The monks create them for a certain purpose–and impermanence is part of their reason for being. They are created for the purpose of creating (and for healing).
Product vs. Process
What I’m trying to say is that it’s the process that’s important. It’s the process of creating that nourishes and changes the creator. Creating can also be a way to communicate with ourselves and others. But for me, it’s the process of creating–whether there is an artifact left at the end or not–that brings me satisfaction even if I’m not completely satisfied with my results, and I’m usually not.
We are all creators
Back when I taught parent-child classes, many of the parents told me that they weren’t artistic or weren’t good at making things. The children–who were very little–never thought about whether they could do something or not. I’d put out wool and soap and water and they’d play. They had no cares about the product. We all learned from watching them.
We almost always did some kind of art or craft project. I encouraged but didn’t make anyone do anything (not sure how I would do that even if I wanted to!) Most of the adults would at least try. And most of them were surprised and pleased to find that they could have fun and make something, too. That was my favorite part of the class for me–seeing that transformation from people who thought they couldn’t to people who did.
Are you a creator? I will tell you the answer–it’s yes! Even if you can’t draw a straight line (I can’t) we all create. We create our lives. We create relationships. Rudolf Steiner called the social art the highest art. (I think that’s true, I’m not sure where he said it, though).
Give yourself permission to create/play
Allow (that was my post for A, along with action and avoidance) yourself to enjoy the things you create. Pay attention; notice all the things you create in your life. Share your creations–or not!
And don’t forget to breathe!
And as always, thanks for stopping by.
xoxo
