creative blogs

creative break

Life gets ahead of me sometimes and I’m often so busy that finding time to write my next blog seems more like a chore than a blessing. Even on my job, it seems easier to keep working than to take a break and then have the stress of catching up. So the battle between which would be better for my health and wellbeing goes on in my mind. As I pondered this, I decided to visit the campus coffee shop and actually take a break for a change. Because I was still busy during the normal break time, I didn’t get there until almost everyone had left. There was, however, one young woman waiting for her specialty drink. She sat at one of the tables near the front, so as I walked by I noticed she was happily sketching in her Drawing Journal. Now, how cool is that; she was not only taking a break, she made it a creative one.

When I saw the smile and joy it brought to this woman, I thought of a story I have in my book about the importance of creative breaks. Even though I wrote the book, I still need to be reminded from time to time of the principles, and to do them.

A Creative Break from my book Created to be Creative

A several years ago, Colleen was doing her homework in my study. Distracted by a sudden commotion, I looked up to see her dancing happily around the room. After taking a few minutes to revel in the moment with her, I inquired to whether she had her homework done. It wasn’t, so I jokingly asked, “Did you need a creative break?” Seriously, though, it was then I realized that she did need a break—from long division. Now that I think about it, she often dances with the music or she’ll get out a microphone and sing along with her favorite songs. After a bit, she’ll return to whatever she was doing, refreshed and ready to finish the task at hand.

Do you allow time for creative breaks? Have you ever stopped simply to enjoy the view? Listen to music? Read a poem? Thumb through an art, gardening, or home decorating magazine? It’s amazing how a few minutes of interacting with something creative, or thinking about our next artistic project, revitalizes our mental and emotional energies. These actions actually enable us to return to our responsibilities more focused and with healthier attitudes. If we take this advice seriously, we will find our productivity improving at work or school. Some of us are stay-at-home moms with small children; short breaks increase our patience and can even help us think of innovative ways to involve the children in creative activities.

Refusing to slow down becomes a mental and physical snare. Fatigue sets in, numbs the senses, and causes us to overlook the creative moments that come our way. A world of good comes from taking time to observe, to hear, to feel, to dream, to live. Those who continually push themselves to the limit usually end up exhausted and miserable. Creative breaks—including meditation and worship—help us to keep things in perspective and to stay more in tune with our eternal purpose.

Creativity should be inspired, not forced, something to look forward to, not another obligation added to an already demanding schedule. Think of it as a place where the imagination can soar into a realm of endless possibilities and refreshing fun, a place we try to visit as often as possible. Sand Quote

I like this photo of my grandson playing in the sand; even he is enjoying a creative break.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

use it or lose it

by Arleen Jennings

I enjoy meeting and talking to people with talent. If you’ve read my book or heard me speak, you could say, “Now wait a minute, I thought you said we all have talents…” True, very true, but it’s also true that some actively use their talents more and are willing to share them. This keeps their skills sharp, relevant and helpful to others. These people motivate me and, at times, even convict me to keep at my own creative pursuits. I’m amazed by how quickly life distracts me; only to find it’s been weeks, months, or even years since I’ve used some of my creative outlets. How about you? Have you let your gifts slip away because of a busy schedule? Or for that matter, it could be any variety of reasons; one being that you’re simply too tired after a long day at work. I feel that way at times. Keep in mind when it comes to talents, use it or lose it.

You might want to take a moment to identify “what” hinders you so you can get back to “why” you created in the first place. It’s when we’re not mindful of our loss, or we no longer miss the benefits of actively participating in our creative outlet that complacency sets in. Then it’s hard to get back to using our talents on a regular basis.

The adage, “Use it or lose it” is unfortunately true. It took me several years to complete my book, Created to be Creative. One reason for this was that I needed to learn how to write. By the last few chapters, my editor made very few changes because I had grown in my ability as a writer. My book came out in December of 2006 and regrettably, I have hardly written anything since. Now that I’ve started this blog it’s forcing me to write and I admit, it’s hard right now for me to communicate my thoughts in a fluent and clear manner. My lack of time spent writing has caused my skill to diminish and even though I’ve published a book, that fact alone doesn’t guarantee future success. Now I have to rewrite clumsy sentences, take extra care to make sure my concepts are clear, and work through my frustrations with how long it takes to complete a blog. Practice does make the process easier, even if it’s not as quick or as perfect as I would like.

Gifts and talents are not fail-proof once developed. They must be performed on a regular basis to flow with ease and remain top notch. Think of it in terms of learning a foreign language. Those who are fluent in more than one language have a reason to use it on a regular basis. When there is no fixed need to speak the second language, it’s eventually forgotten. Yes, it will be easier for the one who knew the language to relearn it over someone starting fresh; however, it will still take extra time and effort for it to become easy again. It’s always better, if possible, to maintain a talent than having to start over and, in some cases, over and over.

I know this to be true, because I’ve started six different paintings over the last two years and have completed none of them. My lack of painting has caused each new attempt to look so amateurish that I quit. And just because I have several quality pieces of art doesn’t guarantee another one. My husband’s always telling me, “Arleen, you need to practice, stop starting with a major project and expecting great results.” He’s right, I need to get back to my studio and be willing to begin with simple washes and brush strokes. Practicing will restore my skills and eventually I’ll do a new painting worthy of wall space.

Thanks to all of you who actively use and share your talents. You motivate me. You push me to action. In time, my gifts revived, will also make a difference in the lives of others.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

photo quotes

by Arleen Jennings

These photos can be found on my facebook page. Most of them have quotes from my book, Created to be Creative. I have also added some new thoughts here to go with each picture. I enjoy the fact that there is no end to creativity and always look for opportunities to learn and grow.

Art doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be as simple as a framed piece of fabric hanging on a wall. This photo only captures a small corner of a piece which is actually 68” high by 44” wide. That’s rather large, but it works perfectly in the space because it helps fill a boring concrete wall in my basement office that needed warming up. I didn’t have the time to do a painting large enough to help fill the area, so this was a quick and relatively inexpensive solution. I bought a piece of upholstery fabric on sale and my husband, Ron, helped me make a frame for it. We took standard 2×4’s, ripped them into 2×2’s, and then stretched the fabric tight around the wood and stapled it on the back. The piece is very simple, but has a three-dimensional look, similar to a photo printed on canvas.

The lighting is not great in this photo, but this gives you a better look at how the piece fills the wall and warms the space.

“Frustration is an enemy of creativity because it ensnares our ambition at a place of weakness.” I started this quilt almost ten years ago. I never considered the level of difficulty or my ability as a quilter before getting started. I diligently worked on it for months and all was going well until I started the solid dark blue stars. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get them to lay flat and, being a perfectionist, I got frustrated and quit. All it would take is a how-to lesson and some practice to help me get back on track, though now I find it hard to get motivated. That is why it’s important to start simple and work our way to harder projects. Better to reach our objectives by taking small steps than to have lofty goals and end up abandoning projects prematurely.

… “Let there be light” (Gen 1:3). LIGHT. The first thing God created was light. Let’s think about this for a moment—this light was not the sun, moon, nor stars; no, they were not created until the fourth day. So what was this light? What did it look like? It looked like GOD! The very first thing we know about the history of our world is that God created an expression of Himself.”

No photo could possibly help capture or explain this light. Photos, however, are a great tool for catching our attention. My daughter, Colleen, is helping with my photo quotes for my Facebook Page. She took this picture with this quote in mind. It works on a few different levels. One, it’s interesting, causing us to stop scrolling long enough to read the caption. Secondly, it demonstrates the purpose of individuality and what it means to be created in the image of God. Ask one hundred people to take a picture with this quote in mind and you will get one hundred different expressions. It’s what makes life and art interesting.

Determination: Staying focused.
Dedication: Willing to practice or pursue when it’s not easy or convenient.
Hard work: Conquering the parts of the process or journey that don’t come easily.

We all have things we would like to be instantly good at or things we’ve started, but we lacked resolve to press through when things became challenging, or even worse, as they became tedious. Sometimes it’s the simple things that throw us a curve.

Also, there’s no way to avoid calloused fingers when learning to play guitar or sore muscles when starting an exercise regimen. This is true for most of the things we find worth accomplishing: they take time, effort, and even some pain, but the results are usually worth it.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

need for an outlet

by Arleen Jennings

I look forward to my daily walks; squeezing them in, even when I’m busy. Beyond the physical benefits of a healthy heart and a strong body, there are the mental and emotional advantages, as well. It’s a time for me to breathe deeply, unwind, pray, worship, and to think about my next creative project. Near my house there’s a dirt road which provides both exercise and solitude. Because the road has no outlet, I’m more likely to see deer or wild turkeys than people or cars. I find refreshment and inspiration, but my path abruptly stops, I must turn back. Question: Do I bring the motivation home with me or does it stay stuck at the dead end?

Unfortunately, action does not always follow. Responsibilities or distractions meet me at the door and if I don’t at least take the time to jot down my thoughts, they are gone. I’ve gotten so I will bring a small notepad with me so nothing of importance is lost. But even then, if I don’t take the time to expand and develop these ideas, what did they accomplish? Yes, moments of personal pleasure and contemplation while on my walk, but ideas and creativity need outlets to help more than just myself. Dead ends are just that.

Inspiration can flow into our hearts and our desire to be creative might be sincere, but if we don’t take action, nothing comes of it. Like water, if stagnate, it produces only barrenness and death. Regardless of our talent or skill level, if we are faithful to use our gifts, God will bring increase. But if we don’t take the time or put forth the effort to develop our outlet, God’s creative purpose for our lives will shrivel up, leaving us to wonder what might have been.

Think beyond yourself. God always has a purpose for the talents He gives us. Others cannot benefit from the fruit God desires to bring forth from our creative expression without our willingness to be productive. Once we realize our creativity can bless others it becomes a win, win. We are built up emotionally, just as a brisk walk builds us up physically. Then the benefits go beyond us to ministering to others. For example, you might have a story of loss and how God brought you through. It cannot reach or give hope to anyone else if you don’t think of ways to share your experience. It could be in the form of a blog, poem, song, or a piece of art. It could also be around your table. Open your home to those you know are hurting and share your story of redemption over coffee. Being creative doesn’t have to be impressive or time consuming to bring life, but it does need to be shared… an outlet.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

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