Creative Encouragement

I would tell you the creative gig is not for everyone, but I would be lying, and I make no habit of it.

Creativity is the birthright of every person. We cannot engage fully with life and love unless we are actively creative. This means using our minds as imagination engines. Applying knowledge in innovative ways in all spheres of living.

It is important to note that “liberal arts” are not the exclusive domain of creation. Almost every aspect of working, parenting, relationship, home-making, teaching, communication, recreation, planning, cooking, mechanics, and the list continues, is under the direct influence of our creativity.

The more we recognize and incorporate our creative genius in all our ways, every day, the happier and more fully realized our lives become.

Some ways to assimilate creativity in daily living: write by hand, read extensively, study situations and tasks seeking new more efficient ways of dealing with them, making room for fun in our lives, listening to music, singing, playing instruments, spend time with children or read to them, draw, color, practice an art or craft, encourage others, build something, attend exhibits, help others, pick any of these or make up your own.

Please do not neglect your creativity. Your abilities, gifts, skills, and talent are unique. Part of your purpose is using them. You are the only one who can bring your remarkable blend of brilliance to the world. People need every individual striving to add creativity, love, and value to living each day.

Prompt: Pick up a book or magazine. Turn randomly and pick a sentence. Either use the sentence or a word it contains to spark your thoughts. After consideration and allowing your imagination free reign, create something, or let it inspire you to act in your environment.

I encourage you to journal or at least keep a datebook with notes on your activities. A review of these can often facilitate insight into our lives otherwise missing.

We survived February, you and I. I hope that you accomplished more than you expected and enjoyed life as thoroughly as possible. It has been a whirlwind here. Of course, as the new month comes, all the regular suspects make their appearance. Bills, you know, bills. Paying bills though it may be a hassle, shows we are alive and that we are making a way in the world. Having money to meet our obligations is a blessing.

I hope you find special graces in the coming month and can achieve that you most desire.

Again

Sometimes the smiles drop,
Belief in love falls limp, strays,
What is left is dismal, drear,
So the smiles get pasted back on,
Nagging doubts are swept off, away.
Even if we pretend,
Eventually, we see
Love staring, sharing,
Toward us generously;
Imagination becomes
A positive proof
No one can refute, deny,
It is plain as reality,
Love chases us down
Coopts our days, fills us completely
Will never give up, cannot stop
Until it proves us precious
Beyond logical understanding;
Love is who we are, what is meant
To be in every event, situation, thing,
We cannot outrun or misguide it
Love knows us intimately,
It brought us alive,
Is throughout our living,
When fear, doubt, tear us apart
Love pick us up, straightens our smile,
Sets us firmly upon our feet,
Whispers, “I am with you, go again!”

Heroes Today

The ones who stand in
Love even when the world goes
Cold toward others;
Those who show continual
Kindness to the left behind,
Mothers who loyal teach
Another generation
To stand firm and lead,
Fathers who invest many hours
In passing on a will to succeed.
Waitresses smiling
At all within their stations,
Firemen giving all to save
Cherished lives every day,
The families missing them.
The harried supervisor
Dealing with workers fairly,
Teachers leaving all
Tempers at home each day,
Becoming founts of knowledge, tolerance.
Doctors going well
Beyond normal strength to
Bring help and healing to those in need,
Clerks maintaining pleasant smiles
When days are long, conditions vile.
Sergeants sweating pools
As the day scorches foreign land
Serving however freedom demands,
Uniformed officers on the street
Meting out justice with understanding.
Creators forming treasures
Out of imagination’s ethereal air,
Everyone trying desperately
To make a better world today
Spreading tons of love over the miles
Doing their best in each and all parts
To believe in potential, foster opportunity,
Furnish each moment with such goodness,
That everyone can be stronger and excel.

This is the clock tower in my downtown, Douglasville. I spent a day walking about.

I hope life is going well for all of you. Always remember, even in the rough times, that you are a precious gift sent here with a purpose and a reason.

Take care, and God Bless.

Anyway, Love

In bright times laced with smiles,
On long days covering too many miles,
When success breezes in, dreams come true,
At moments when failure occurs, as it will do,
Find yourself constant, love anyway.

Discovering a new love, quite delicious,
Dealing with a terrible loss, needing one solicitous,
Welcoming the advent of excitement with joy,
Finding tedium and boredom in things that cloy,
You have the power within, love anyway.

When tired beyond bearing, yet cannot sleep,
Tempted by whatever pleasures, unable to keep,
Disappointed by those you hold precious, dear,
Facing intense battles, riddled by fear,
Square your shoulders, head held high, love anyway.

Embraces that gladden hearts near despair,
Confidence enriched from many, everywhere,
Friends on whom you can depend,
Relationships breaking to suddenly end,
The brightness and darkness, love anyway.

Love is not a few words, aptly said,
Invite it to live and tuck it in bed,
Love can be defined by no measure,
Love is all, present forever, infinite treasure,
We are our most competent best when we love anyway.

Photo taken in the Chapel at Callaway Gardens. I was there a number of times doing photo shoots.

I was struggling, not knowing what I would write tonight. A phrase leapt out of the novel I am reading, “he loved me anyway.” I immediately thought we should all love anyway. The poem came with some work, but it sure is nice to be loved anyway. I believe unconditional love is in somewhat short supply.

I hope each of you has a productive week, peppered with enough relaxation to keep you fortified for all that comes your way. May you gain the successes you strive for and find peace and love in all your ways. Be well, God Bless You!

@ Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Blink

I sit here thinking
What a moment might hold for
The ones left waiting;
Such glory we may witness,
The return of the King of Kings!

Suddenly, the dead,
Raised, reconstituted, rise
Joining Jesus on high;
Fantastic congregation
Praising, together in the sky.

The Son lending light
Whether it be day or night,
Everyone aware
He is living, He now reigns,
God is more than we did claim.

More than mere words may
Explain, Christ’s LOVE, everything,
The gifts received precious
Beyond value, comprehension,
Eternity with God, our reason; being.

Sometimes the praise and wonder take over, and I cannot hide what moves my life.