Don’t be afraid of the “C” word
My journey through grief has been a public one, laid out for you here on these pages. Many of you have walked with me through the healing process, and for that I’m thankful.
It’s funny (in a not so funny way) the things that help us heal. For me, much of the healing process has been lead by creativity - quite literally.
During the last four years, I’ve given myself lots of grace. Some of that grace involved the power to tap into my creative juices in whatever way felt right at the moment. In that, I became a Jill of all trades (or artistic endeavors).
I poured paint onto canvas, wax into candle forms and lye into liquid to make soap. I sculpted with cement, plaster, clay and stones. I twisted and tied rope, pool noodles and chicken wire. I built tables, trays, shelves and lamps. I embellished with glass, glitter and gold. Plus I’ve gathered heaps of random craft supplies, but that’s another article.
Some of my projects look good, most didn’t. Many were failures, but within the mix I was healing and learning.
Somewhere along the way, a kind friend asked it I might be able to share some of my hobbies with others. And in that, the student became the teacher.
What a gift that has been. Helping others tap into their own creative spirit is invigorating, rewarding and fun. But within these instructive endeavors, I’ve found that not everyone finds solace in creativity. In fact, there are those who believe they were born without the creative gene. They’ve even told me so. More than once.
“I’m not creative.” I’d like to challenge that. We are all creative; I’ll even take that one step further: we are all artistic.
Some people embrace and excel at these qualities more than others, but practicing creativity benefits every single one of us – much like exercise, a healthy diet, kindness and gratitude do.
Some people love exercising. They couldn’t live without it and in many instances they are very good at it. I am not one of these people, but that doesn’t mean the habit of exercising doesn’t bring me great benefits.
The same goes for creativity. It does for the brain what exercise does for the body.
Creativity helps you think outside the box. Just yesterday, I took two perfectly good cardboard boxes and made a kitty bed with them. This task required math computations, spatial skills, textile manipulation and a whole lot of duct tape.
Creativity reduces stress. When you are focused on art, you cannot focus on the negativity in your life, even if it does involve an upcoming car repair. Creating art makes you forget about the everyday even if just for a moment in time and that moment is priceless.
Creativity can boost communication. “Do you think this looks more turquoise, teal, or green?” Will solicit responses on numerous levels.
Creativity promotes flexibility and can increase your adaptability to change. When you want to paint your background color in turquoise, but only teal is available, you learn to make it work - or make an extra trip to the craft store.
Creativity can give your life purpose and meaning. If the meaning of life isn’t defined by a magnetic succulent garden “planted” vertically on your refrigerator, I don’t know what the meaning of life might be.
Finally, creativity can help you, me - all of us - live a longer and healthier life. It’s true! If you purchase more craft materials, the gods of the universe understand you must use them all before you leave this earth. Therefore, the acquisition of craft supples - and creativity by association - increases your lifespan.
It’s almost like creativity is the answer to many of the problems you’ve been facing. It’s a release and an outlet that provides respite from the everyday problems of the everyday world.
Plus, at the end of it all, you might find yourself with a brightly painted canvas or a brightly lit holiday wreath.
I, personally, give a thumbs up to that. (Just don’t look at my thumbs, they’re most likely all full of paint.)
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
