Arleen Jennings – Page 10

can perfection be too much?

When perfect is too perfect. Now wait, how is that possible? Usually we want, need, or expect perfection. It’s an earnest aspiration to have, and one worth working towards in most areas of our lives.

When it comes to the arts, though, perfection has two problems.

One: who is to decide what is perfect? We all have a different opinion of what we consider perfect, or at least judge to be impressive. So who’s right? I am, of course. So are you. Art is subjective and therefore perfection should not be the goal. Creative outlets can bring fulfillment in several ways, both personally and then for others, even when not deemed worthy by some standard. Be it painting, music, crafts, food, etc., no matter what our creative outlet, the possibilities are endless.

Two: So many never express their creative side, because in their mind, perfection is unattainable. On this point we should thank God! This leaves so much room for diversity, freedom of expression, and even pleasure for those that enjoy our form of art. Do you know how boring it would be if every landscape looked exactly like the picture or if every recipe was followed to the letter? It’s those who dare to be expressive, more than worrying about perfection, who color and flavor our world. Bear in mind, not everyone needs to think our creative expression is amazing. We simply need to find our niche and reach those who enjoy our style.

Yes, sometimes our attempts fail and end up in the garbage. Does that make us a failure? Not at all. Our response to failure has the ability to perfect us. Quitting shipwrecks the process of a creative and productive future. Trying again after disappointment brings success on more levels than merely completing a creative project; it builds character and improves skills with every attempt.

Some of our best inventions, masterpieces, etc. – right down to simple everyday things like a fun new recipe – are the result of people taking risks or daring to pizza mess improve upon what already exists. I must be hungry, because the example that comes to mind is food. I’ve made some very tasty and impressive meals before, but then had the audacity to change some of the ingredients just for the fun of it. Sometimes it’s better and sometimes it’s not, but at the end of the day, I utilized my innovative personality. I don’t allow a flop to keep me from me trying something new on another day. The sad thing is that some of my best recipes will never be repeated in exactly the same way because I didn’t take the time to write them down. The next time I try to repeated a tasty dinner, it will not be exact, but these are the kinds of things that keep life interesting and eventful, even if not considered perfect by someone else’s standard.

Don’t let the need for perfection, or should I say, the need for approval, keep you from a happy and creative future. You never know what could come of it or the people you will meet and even some friendships that will ensue because you chose to use your talents.

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

creative break

by Arleen Jennings

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

enjoying GOD

by Arleen Jennings

“O my soul, thou art capable of enjoying God; woe to you if thou art contented with anything less than God.” Francis DeSales

I’m amazed that the God of all the universe knows each one of us by name. Even more incredible is the fact that He cares about our lives! Think about this: we have the opportunity to know Him—the Creator of heaven and earth—on a personal level. We have been blessed with the privilege to commune with Him and to enjoy His presence. Ps 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

You could say, “That must take a lot of faith to believe something so marvelous could be true!” Not really; I’ve had too many encounters with the Almighty not to believe. Plus, to put a face on His omnipotence, he became a man and walked among us. Ultimately, Jesus gave us the greatest sacrifice known to man – His Life. What an amazing God, awesome in every way. Oh that we would hunger and thirst after Him. That we might “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…” Phil 3:10 That we would repay the favor He has shown us by being totally and passionately committed unto Him in all we do and say.

We sing a song in our church, “You’re all I want, You’re all I need…” and I’m always convicted, because no matter how much I love Jesus, there are times when I’ve taken His love and presence for granted. How about you? Is your passion for God as strong, or stronger, than when you first believed? Or has the joy of your salvation diminished over time? That can happen in relationships if we are not mindful. Most of the time we don’t do it on purpose, it just happens. We get busy. We don’t communicate as much. Just as it takes work to keep our earthly relationships strong, the same is true when it comes to living in the fullness of all that God has for us.

The cry of my heart should be like that of David’s in Ps 63:8, “My soul follows hard after You…” In modern terms we could say, “I gladly pursue you because you are so worth it.” If we could truly comprehend the love of God, the significance of His presence in our lives, the purpose for our being, it would change us. So much so, that nothing else would satisfy.

Though we’ve been created with the capacity to fellowship with God; how much we actually enjoy Him is determined solely by our actions. God tells us through the prophet Jeremiah, “And you will SEEK ME and FIND ME, when you Search for ME with ALL YOUR HEART.” (29:13) This should not be hard, though it does take time and effort. Nor should it seem like drudgery, especially when the outcome is fullness of joy. To be engulfed in God’s glorious presence. It’s His presence which guides us along right paths, where the love of God so fills us that it freely flows through us. Where others are drawn to Jesus, because we serve Him with a willing and joyful heart.

Ps 149:1-5 admonishes us to, “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.”

If the Lord takes pleasure in us, how much more should we delight to take pleasure in Him?!

Isa 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

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

the climb

by Arleen Jennings

Unfamiliar paths and mountain trails intrigue me. They call me forward to traverse their terrain. No matter how steep or rugged, I’m compelled to see what lies beyond. The longer or harder it is, the more fulfilling the climb it becomes because it aids my ability to find beauty in the challenge.

One of my favorite hikes is a trail at Acadia National Park called the Precipice. It’s a difficult climb, one-thousand feet straight up the east side of Champlain Mountain. Unlike nearby Cadillac Mountain, you cannot simply drive to the top to enjoy the view. The first time I ventured up the Precipice, it was with my daughter, Jay. The info we had said, “The trail is only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers who have no fear of heights.” The photos included were beautiful so we eagerly accepted the challenge and began our ascent. We had to climb over, around, and, in one place even under, rocks. There were several iron ladders and even more random rungs to help maneuver steps that couldn’t be reached without additional aid. Part of the trail goes right along a cliff, with no more than an iron rung drilled into the edge of the mountain and grooves cut into the stone path to secure footing.

We experienced every aspect of the climb, from fatigue and muscle strain to spectacular views and unique perspectives, along the trail. Some of the views we witnessed along the way could not be seen from the top, nor from the bottom. We had to exert effort and overcome obstacles so we could enjoy these intervals of beauty that lined the trail and provided great views of the ocean. There were times though, where our sight was limited by rocks and foliage. As in life, we can’t always see what lies ahead and must keep pushing forward. Consequently, we kept our eyes open to what came next, because if our focus had been only on the trail and dealing with the challenges, we would have missed out. We valued that mountain top experience more because we not only conquered the path to get there, but we also enjoyed the climb. It also kept us from begrudging the dull and/or difficult parts of the trail because they were necessary to our journey.

How often do we want to skip the climb to gain the mountain top experience? Yet there is something magical that transpires during the process when approached with purpose. No one made us hike the Precipice; it was a choice we freely made. The higher we climbed the harder it got. However, when we made it up the last ladder and around the final bend, we raised our arms in victory and agreed it worth the struggle.

In our moment of triumph, gazing out over the Atlantic, we stopped to thank Jesus for that amazing experience. We took lots of photos, while soaking in the warm August air and the beauty of the day. As we sat to rest, it hit us; we still had to climb back down. I couldn’t imagine having to take that same path back; it was scary enough on the way up. After making some enquiries, we were relieved to find there was a different trail and, though less grueling, it was still a challenge.

Reflecting on this, it’s clear that mountain tops are for times of refreshing, which we all need on occasion, but we cannot stay or live there. That’s why if we don’t seek out those special moments along the way – the times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord – life can become a drudge. If not careful, we end up only focusing on the obstacle instead of the purpose. Remember: God always has a purpose, even in the pain.

Therefore, hiking reminds me of life: there will always be ups and downs, joys and struggles, amazing views and blind spots, triumphs and even temporary setbacks. There is beauty along the way, if we will only take the time to look. We can miss those moments, especially if we allow the mountain to become bigger than the joy of conquering it. Keep in mind, at times the desired mountain top experience occurs at unexpected intervals, like when difficulty finds its way to blessing. Or when beauty is not necessarily “pretty” but it moved our heart to respond. Struggle is a part of life and cannot be avoided. No path is perfect and no journey taken without at least some level of difficulty. If it were, there would be no added pleasure, or praise to our Maker, when we’ve run our race and finished our course in victory.

Jay and me at the top of the Precipice in Acadia National Park, ME.

For more beautiful photos and another great story, read unexpected puddles.

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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