Artisan of Living

"The most invisible creators I know of are those artists whose medium is life itself. The ones who express the inexpressible- without brush, hammer, clay or guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt- their medium is their being. Whatever their presence touches has increased life. They see and don't have to draw. They are the artists of being alive." -J. Stone

Even though making art was a common interest between me and my husband when we met, overtime I abandoned my love of creativity because I convinced myself that I was inferior to him in this department.  He's always been very supportive of my creative side but I haven't been.  My inner judge, lack of confidence and comparative side often won out which in turn has caused me a great deal of sadness.  Much of my recent work has been reclaiming the side of me that loves to be creative and expressing myself because it's been hurting too much to hold it in.  Apparently the Universe has heard my call and perhaps that's why I'm swelling with twins right now- the ultimate of creativity happening in my belly!  

Many of us have been judged or harshly judged ourselves on our artistic abilities.  For some of us, we focus more on the outcomes and allow outside or inside critics determine the worth of our creations.  Many of us may have lost the innocence of expression from our childhood and the joy of creating because of an over emphasis on the result rather than valuing the process.

For some it can be difficult to drop the judgements when we or society draw a distinct line between artist and audience or when we mostly consume refined and perfected presentations of the arts.  In some cultures, there's opportunity for people to participate in raw and unrehearsed dance or music as a part of celebration, for community building, for spiritual purposes and/or for emotional and mental processing or release. We don't have to sell a piece of art or be on a stage to consider ourselves an "artist", artistry is an innate part of our being and we are co-creating at all times, however; if having creative outlets make us come more alive, than we better seize them.

Please join me this week in seeing ourselves as part of a holy life cycle of creation and if opportunities arise- dance because only you can bust your own move, sing because you are an instrument of voice, speak up because your words are poetry and/or draw, paint or sculpt if it brings you joy.  May you have a great week.  

~ Annie Jacob