Creativity & Pain: A Relationship

The title may seem ill-advised to some, but lend me some time.

We all deal with pain, different types, and some of us more than others. There are many varieties from which to choose, although most, maybe all, of us would prefer to avoid every category of diversification.

An exciting byproduct we frequently observe is that following the experience of an intense episode of suffering, anguish, pain, there is a sudden period of explosive creative growth.

The cause, being the pain presents an obstacle of some sort, such as slowing us down physically, causing us to curb our appetites and consumption of things, so we earn less. Also making us realize we can indeed survive without a partner, we may lose a portion of our livelihood and thus our place in society, or learn we must make allowances for a change we did not foresee. While we deal with such hindrances, our creative faculties engage, discovering unique new methods to overcome the problems, determining how to better allocate our creative resources, building our personalities stronger, more adaptable, flexible, with significant advantages, and extending our abilities to move within our interior and exterior world. The creativity within each person is a solution engine built to magnify and consolidate gifts, talents, skills that destroy blockages to achievement. We are created for greatness and the creativity within us fires the forge to make us do and be more than we expect.

I fiercely believe that creativity and love connect us directly to the Master Creator, God. Our creative drive is seeded from His divine omnipotence. It likens us to Him and joins us to the Love that fills every part and parcel of space and time. We are never deserted, never alone, though we may battle loneliness, trouble, unpleasantness. The spark of creativity, which inflames our desire for achievement in a sudden blaze of imagination, is love working through us to procure a better more fulfilling life. We are led to situations, circumstances, where gratitude becomes a close companion, and we notice for each struggle and defeat there are multitudes of positive benefits.

Our creativity by ushering us into abundance, ameliorating or alleviating our pain, gives us the possibility of closeness with the Creator, Christ.

Our surge, vast and ocean-like, of creative genius, does not justify or abolish the reality of our pain, but it is a consequence that makes future encounters with the monstrosity more bearable and helps mitigate some of our anger and resentment.

Time and again we become aware of people who seem to have conquered the world and reached life’s summit, but when we are invited to an intimate discussion and learn their history, we are surprised by the monumental adversity they overcame.

It is no wonder that ingenuity, love, strength, and yes, creativity, are products of trial, discomfort, tears, pain. We only learn to mine our depths when there is nowhere, no one else from whence and whom to seek our answers. Only God willingly gives wisdom, creativity, love which merge to lift us beyond our limited vision and belief of how our personal best is to be obtained.

We are, everyone, endowed with gifts, talents, abilities, revealed amidst suffering, fired by creativity, placed with us to take us beyond our dreams, crowning us with lives we never thought possible.

So, when the hurt is great, the loss is deadly, the break is more than can be handled, the disappointment heartrending, hold on. Creativity, wisdom, love, change, a breakthrough is coming, maybe only a breath away.

I am grateful:

I ran the dishwasher today.
I washed some clothes.
I took a shower and did not have to stand in drainage.
I finished the red velvet muffins.
I started another book.
I wrote something.
Life is challenging but worthwhile, and good.

As a prompt, write about a time when pain drove you mad, but afterward, you found yourself driven to create, or do art about it. Whichever you prefer.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. Please follow, or if not, come back. Take care of yourself, do good, and be a blessing when you are able.

Surely

If we wish to change our lives, those of others, things that concern us, our environments, or anything else, there is one path. It is not an easy road, there will be resistance, it will take considerable effort and consume prodigious amounts of time; we must change ourselves. This is something most of us would instead choose not to do.

To change, we must evaluate what is not serving us in life, and those things that are in our favor. For instance, I have a clutter issue. Since losing my Mom in June 2017, I have been paralyzed by feelings of regret and grief, not dealing with the problem of a great deal of stuff which I cannot use that she left behind.

Today, my nephew and I discussed the mess. He pointed out that should I let go of the stuff, it would free up space for me to use in enjoyable ways. I was aware of this, but I have not known how to dispose of so many lovely things. He recommended I just give it all to charity because he knows me well enough to be sure that I do not care for the aggravation of trying to sell it.

Although this is uncomfortable, I am going to begin the process of liquidation. I will be able to make the freed room into a craft room and library. This will provide space for me to practice my artwork. There will finally be a home for my rubber stamp collection, which is extensive, other than entrapped under my bed.

How do I face all those things, hers, when tears still find me, time to time? I change. I gather my courage and recognize that those things no more embody Mom than I am represented by an ink pen or a notebook. I release myself from the need to please her, to continue as her caregiver when that time is past, and she has transitioned to Heaven where she is happy with Jesus.

There are more changes I must make, but I will not detail them just now. Is there something you are holding onto that would better serve you if you let it go? Maybe there is a relationship, attitude, job, habit, thing, or whatever. I am no psychic. You know what it is, and chances are you know exactly what you should do, but you procrastinate because inaction is comfortable and being stuck feels more natural than change. I understand, but the excavation once begun will give you a sense of freedom, accomplishment, and victory that will make you wonder why you waited.

We, humans, were not made to remain in stasis. From our conception, we are continually changing. We grow, learn, progress, and we never stop. If we stick our minds, bodies, hearts, spirits, or souls in a container, we become cramped, unhappy, dissatisfied. Change is who we are. Our creativity calls us to become something unique, newly discovered, uncovered, revealed to a breathless world.

Change is, and what will be. Do not fight it, latch on to the ripple, wave, that draws you into a brighter future. Create who you are, what you want to be. You have the power, embrace the life that is just beyond your hesitation.

Ah, yeah, on this we could dwell awhile, but I will not keep you. Employ that massive fortune of creative genius you possess and get busy. Your life, those you love, the world will thank you.

Pictures, Poems, Reasons

He is still out there
Looking, hoping, for someone,
Not noticing me,
Because I fade fragile frost
In hidden places unseen.

Provision

Did you ever think
The briars and brambles were made
To suit God’s purpose
That the rabbits, small mammals,
Would have places fit to hide
Them from cruel predators?
We, then, most precious, placed,
Protected, safely abide
In the shadow of the cross
Where Christ’s blood, a sacrifice,
Was shed to set us all free
From sin’s great iniquity.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Wakening Song

Robed in glory,
Blazing like constant lightning,
The Savior descends,
Knees bow, tongues confess Him, Lord.

His neverending story
Grows bolder with each telling,
There is no other like Him,
He sovereign reigns, merciful,
Forever loving, grace is
In His strong arms, encircling
Protection from raging storms,
We flee peril, find safety,
In the presence of our Lord.

Robed in glory,
Blazing like constant lightning,
The Savior descends,
Knees bow, tongues confess Him, Lord.

Monday, January 29, 2018

I play with poetry. It is a native language, one I sometimes try to ignore, but for me, it is an impossibility. The poem comes as a visitor unannounced, who can and will break in and set up camp in my mind if I do not make welcome its intrusion.

Does your work ever take over, demand notice, become the only thought in your mind? What is that like? Are you glad, or do you slam the door, hoping to escape?

Sometimes those sudden pushy thoughts have unexpected gifts to give us. They bring with them paradigm shifts, breakthroughs, works of invention we did not see, had failed to acknowledge. This adds richness, insight, to our work that directly affects our audience because it arrives a base level, deep, and invades the far reaches of the mind, heart, soul, and spirit. They are unprepared, as were we.

Having some talent in art sometimes I want to create with pencil, pen, paint, but rarely will I. I am ashamed that the ability is not well-defined. Oh, once I was passably good, but practice is required, and I did not, preferring to write, where I am at home. Recently, I have a concept which is demanding execution. I am opposed to the work. It will never be as glorious as the description my mind has given me of what I am to do. So, I procrastinate, and I may push it away, it will cost me should I refuse.

Have you ever been called out of your comfort zone, to some sphere of creativity where you feel like an abandoned orphan left in the dark of night in a city where crime is rampant, and beasts roam the streets? This happens, and if you answer the adventure, sometimes surprise overwhelms you because out of nowhere you achieve greatness your awareness had not revealed you had in your possession.

Life, in truth, and creativity, in particular, is not set in stone. It is more like a clay vessel emerging from a block where the turning wheel and the artist’s hands make of it what is wanted. At any moment the form may be reset, destroyed, and the process began again. Out of a lump can come something transcendently beautiful or something purely utilitarian. The busied hands shape, but ultimately the mind in charge chooses what will be. Where our hearts are homed makes the difference in what will become.

Waiting here alone
In motion, emotion turns
Wherever it will,
Direction sudden arrives
Climate becomes a freedom
Unknown, unexplored, random,
Creativity explodes.

I am most grateful:

I was taught the value of language very young.
I have tools to explore my creative impulses.
The roast I cooked is quite delicious.
There is music.
I have some friends who are priceless.
There is a whole world out there to visit.
Things are.

As a prompt, if there is another aspect of creation intruding on your peace of mind, clamoring for your attention, heed the call and attempt to use the inspiration to broaden your repertoire of work. You might find there is something outside your field of expectation in which you are adept. Never fail to feed the fire that fuels you.

I have so much more today, there are things I have written recently that I would like to share, but I fear to inundate you with too much of my enthusiasm for my faith. Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative, I hope something here captured your attention and made you ponder. If you wish to, click the follow button, or come back at your leisure.

This world is borrowed, we must be aware and have a care, for some are unkind and unleash harm. May you create beauty and find prosperity in all your ways.

Be Awake

This morning with the quiet before the break of dawn, the day begins. We are wrapped in anticipation of what is and what will be. Jesus lingers at the threshold of every moment asking us to rise into love’s infinity. There is nothing able to stand obstinately against our pursuit of joy when we depend on the Lord to go before us.

We are each gifted with the unique ability to bring beauty, peace, and love into being through our creativity. We should put this faculty to work as often as is possible. Creation can be a form of active prayer and practice that lifts us, and those who interact with our works, into refreshing and comfortable spheres of reality filled with love and intriguing mystery that encourages us to become more alive.

Every moment gifts us with the choice of peace, positivity, kindness, understanding, generosity, gratitude, and love. If we are mired in profound negativity, a moment can change the mindset into one of rejoicing. We are able to choose the emotions we will express, the people we will be in the world, moment to moment.

Always endeavor to choose love and life will be yours more abundantly. Reach for the wonder. Notice the light reflecting off the waves, how it shimmers brighter than any gems craved by the hearts of humankind. Listen to the whisper of the trees as they pass their knowledge of earth’s years to the whirling wind. Watch the eyes of a crow sparkle as it finds a shiny bit of trash. Look at the people surrounding you, see the miraculous beauty of each and every one. Remember, these things did not just come into being, they were placed by the Creator to fulfill His purposes and add a pleasant touch to this particular day as you walk your way in the world.

For today, I am grateful:

I am not forgotten, some people care for me.
I am able to write and express my thoughts.
Good things happen when they are most needed.
I had pleasant dreams.
The dogs were groomed this week.
I am having a lot of fun taking pictures at church.
Even though the computer is acting crazy, I am able to use it.

As a prompt, create something that lifts your spirits and will in all probability help someone else. You can be a positive influence if you so desire.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. I hope you found something worth your while here and that you will press the follow button or come back soon. Remember, you are precious, and much loved. Be aware, careful, and safe out there.

Always,
Jo Ann

A Missive to Self & Others

#1 2018-1-22 Missive to Self Others-readable

As a prompt, when you are tempted to emit a negative thought through speech, instead look around you and express gratitude for something in your environment. Maybe even write down several things. Start a positive revolution.

The world needs ambassadors of positivity. So many have become low on hope, deprived of security, afraid of abuse. You and I are on the leading edge of restoring confidence, love, sanity, and peace. Now is the time, we are the agents of change.

I am grateful:

1. I am now officially church photographer.
2. I have been writing a little more.
3. The fudge mint cookies are nearly gone and will stop adding to my poundage.
4. The groomer is to come today.
5. Package.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. You are a pleasure to my heart. If you wish, follow the site by clicking the button, or come back when possible. Play your favorite song and try to carry the feeling it gives you through your day. Be safe, but cherish the wildness that makes you a force to reckon with.