Replacing Distraction for Creativity

Van Gogh, Monet, and Da Vinci are in the Top 10 Classics of Artists. Among the Top 10 Modern Masters of Art, we find O’Keeffe, Kandinsky, and Picasso. And the list goes on. Sometimes it took years for these artists to complete a masterpiece after many failed attempts. Some artists were not even known until after they died.

We all have some type of creativity, as that is how human beings were created. We may not hold a paintbrush in our hands and sit at an easel, but there is something in our lives we are good at creating. It could be the flute we played in the marching band in high school or the ballet shoes hanging in the closet for years.

Our creativity may not lie in the arts at all. It might be how exactly we are at calculating sales projections, how we naturally lead the group in the PTA meetings, our knack for baking bread, or hosting a grand opening at the local museum. Any number of activities can fulfill our gift of creativity.

Your Beating Heart

We can know we are gifted in certain areas when we anxiously wait until we get to do it again. It comes easy to us and we delight in the pure joy of it. Our artistic gift fills our thinking, and we employ feedback from friends to learn even more. We happily make continual plans for it all the time. We read and research the subject and strive to improve our skills. It is our purpose!

Some of us have a purpose that has remained dormant for years. We either haven’t taken the time to discover what it is, or we put only a half-hearted try into developing our gift. Just because we got distracted with other things for years, does not mean we don’t have any creativity.

Isn’t It Time?

Today is perfect for dusting off the ideas we have stored in the back of our minds. Most likely, we already know what we want and can do with the rest of our lives. But maybe it’s a little hazy and we need to be pointed in the right direction. If that seems reasonable, try these resources:

Books

What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles

A Compendium for Conscious Creators by Orna Ross

Discovering Joy in Your Creativity by Women of Faith

Websites (click on link)

Pinterest

Creativity for Women

Creativity and Divorce

What an Artist!

Of all living things God breathed life into, humans are His masterpieces. YOU are His masterpiece and there is no one else like you! None. You are the original and there are no copies. He takes delight in that fact.

God has a reason for creating you. A purpose just for you to do good, so others will learn from you who He is and praise Him as the One true God. That’s a big assignment, but God already knew you could do it in your own special, unique way. No one else can do it just exactly like you!

The Bible says, “In the beginning God created. . .” He is the One and Only Creator of all and has always created from the beginning of time and is still creating new life every day. He never stops and He never makes a mistake. What an artist He is! To discover your best life, get to know this Master of All.  

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

 

How to Make the Best Change

In 1898, Dwight L. Moody, a prominent evangelist, and teacher conducted a contest to find “the best thought” out there. He said, “a good thought was worth a journey of a thousand miles.” The contest winner (name unknown) won a prize for sending in the following now-famous quote.

Men grumble because God put thorns on roses. Would it not be better to thank God that he put roses on thorns? [www.quoteinvestigator.com]

Most of us genuinely want to live a better life with less negativity but that’s a challenge for nearly everyone. So, we must ask, how do we make changes for the better that will become part of us and make a difference in how we live our lives now?

9 Changes for the Better

Recently while enjoying the pages of a friend’s scrapbook (she was single-again at the time), we found some of the best ideas for developing positive change in our lives. Perhaps these will give us many of our own “best thoughts” to carry us through.

1. Nobody can really tell you “the answer” to life’s problems so you might as well try what feels right to you.
2. Pay attention to what you feel. If you don’t like the way you feel, it’s usually a sign that you’re not getting what you need.
3. Dare to love yourself in a world that gives no guarantees (except God’s).
4. If you’re going to risk a change, try something likely to satisfy your needs while increasing your self-respect.
5. When you are considering a specific change, make a list of all the worst possible things that could happen (be prepared!).
6. Before you change, take a few moments to honestly compliment yourself for some specific and positive attribute.
7. After you try a change, evaluate the results. No matter what happens, congratulate yourself for your courage to try.
8. If what you are doing isn’t getting you what you want, try something different.
9. If you decide to take a chance, don’t just think about it, do it!

Honestly

Hopefully, the above insights do not sound selfish because they are not. They are ways to improve and make changes to our lives. Without knowing ourselves better, there is no honest way to help ourselves become women who are joyful, positive, and without whining or complaining.

The One who created us and loves us inside and out is anxious to give us good gifts. Gifts that will shower us with everything we need at a time when we need it the most. As noted by the woman above in her scrapbook, “I know that when I allow God to guide my steps, I am at peace on life’s joyous adventure.”

A “best thought” if we ever heard one!    

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” (Psalm 32:8 NLT).

 

What Language Do You Speak?

Writing you a Thank You!

Have you ever given a gift to someone and never heard a “Thank you” or heard back from them? It is sad when that happens. Perhaps the person was so overwhelmed with her/his busy days, she/he meant to offer thanks but never got around to it. And then it was forgotten.

We can probably understand and even relate to this cause because we ourselves may have fallen into this kind of scenario. When it occurs over and over with the same person, however, it can easily be attributed to bad manners. Or manners that were never taught as a child.

The Finer Points in Life

“A lady worked as a janitor in a company for many years. Now being a janitor is a pretty thankless job, which many of us might consider as a "dirty" job or at least pretty far down the totem pole. In other words, probably not a whole lot of fun.

“It happened the company changed owners. Within a few days, the new owner wrote a personal thank you card to every employee in the company. He had his assistant go around and hand them out.

“When this lady received and opened her card, she burst into tears. She asked if she could be excused from work. Thinking she was sick, she was allowed to leave for the rest of the day.

“They found out a few days later she had never received even a verbal thank you from the previous owners and management, much less a personal card. And she had worked there for 20 or 30 years! 

"So she was pretty touched when the new owner sent her a card of appreciation. She had been thinking the change of ownership was probably a good time to quit. She was planning to let them know that very day. 

"Which she didn't. Because the little time, the little effort of the owner to send a little business thank you card, helped the lady change her mind." 

(thank-your-stars.com)

We ARE the Difference!
As we can see by the story above, even the smallest act of thankfulness makes a huge difference in a person’s life. And for the most part, it does not cost anything to give it to someone. It only takes a little effort on our part! How do we know what kind of day the person is having? We don’t. So just maybe a word or card of thankfulness is all she needs to make the day bearable.  

In 1992, the book, “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman was a big hit and still is. One of the “languages” he wrote about, affirmation is simply an expression we can offer to another person showing how much we appreciate them. And it can really make a difference.

Right now, during this health pandemic, there are so many first responders, nurses, doctors, food/grocery handlers, EMTs, ambulance drivers, transportation drivers, etc., etc. that could use our word of appreciation. We can all be aware of what an effort they are putting forth to help us--they deserve a huge “thank you!” Do not just ignore their dedication. Get creative and find a way to affirm them.

Each Moment of Our Lives

Our heavenly Father (God) has given us individually and collectively so many great gifts we cannot even count them all. He loves us, provides for us, watches over us, and protects us without us even knowing at times. He is there with us through each moment of our lives—good or bad. How have we thanked Him? How often? Even more than anyone else, He deserves our gratitude.

It is not difficult to talk to God. There is no need for complicated or memorized prayers. We just open our mouths and start talking as if we are talking to our best friend. He IS our Best Friend! He already knows us intimately because He created us in our mother’s womb. Just try it soon. He is waiting for that “Thank you!”

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT).

What Gift Would You Give Yourself?

Finding Christmas Gifts

Oh, yes! It's here! Only 22 days until Christmas! Every single year we reach this point on the calendar and ask ourselves, Where in the world did this year go? It's both strangely melancholy and wonderfully exciting for most people. Sure, you may not be the one that is watching those Hallmark Christmas movies on TV because they are sugary sweet, but something about this time of year probably makes you smile if you try and admit it.

Could it be that this is your first year as a single-again woman whether divorced, widowed, or a single mom? If it is, we truly know and understand those feelings of dread. We've been there and no one is saying you should ignore all of that! We are simply here to encourage you to move through this mess and get to the other side in one piece, with peace. Are you in?

Getting Somewhere
Since we are talking about the giving season, how would you answer this question: What gift would you give yourself right now if you could? Is some of your reluctance this month to budge from the couch tied to not knowing what to do with your new life? Now we are getting somewhere! 

Many women when they get married find themselves giving up a goal or dream or wish for a certain kind of life. In fact, it's nearly expected that she sets aside her purpose to become a housewife (or a domestic engineer as some circles describe the role). Yes, it happens, even in this modern century. Now don't start clenching your teeth in indignation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a "family manager" as we prefer to say; it is hard work, indeed. That admirable position is perfectly okay IF that was your personal dream. Only you can address that subject. We just want to know where do we go from here?  

If we are like many girls graduating high school, someone may have asked us at one point, What do you want to be when you grow up? And the majority of us had some kind of an answer. Some go to college to major in a subject that matches their specific goal. Or maybe to a trade school or an on-the-job training program. But what happens when we marry and never pursue that path in our life? 

Capturing Dreams
Now comes the good news! We are on our own now and can actually recapture those long-ago dreams and make them come true. We hear you, but it is NOT too late! Don't let that be an excuse that holds you back. This is our second chance!   

Getting Ready for Christmas

After decorating the house and wrapping all those Christmas presents for everyone we know, the best gift we can give ourselves is dusting off our life's purpose and plan. It hasn't disappeared--it's just dormant. It has always been there in the back of our minds. 

Start imagining how to reactivate that gift(s) to become the real you. It may need an adjustment or "tweaking" after all these years of "cobwebs," but that's the fun part! Begin creating a life around those abilities and talents. You may even have more than one (and we can assure you they are somehow tied to each other to equal one fantastic life!).

Just Imagine
No one ever got anywhere by themselves. We need each other and we need the best Gift Giver of all--God Himself--Who has always been generous to us. He wants us to become the beautiful, accomplished, and joyful woman He created as we discover His purpose and plan for us. Then we will reach the best life we could ever imagine. 

"Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received...Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress" (1 Timothy 4:14, 15 NLT).
      

Souls on Fire!

Escaping the holiday "rat race"

One holiday down and we survived! Now what to do with all the leftovers! Solve that and we ski over to the best day of winter with ease. It's really not far off--Christmas is just 28 days away. No need for nail-biting though! Let's just enjoy a small break today before it all begins again. Yes, it's okay to rebel. Instead of punching our way through the post-Black-Friday and Cyber Monday madness at the mall, we can escape and do something invigorating.

Souls On Fire!

There are many, many ways to move about our world; to bring the positives back into our lives. But we'll need to limit it to just a few, and build on that as we run into the new year with all the joy we deserve. One thing is certain: life never stands still. No, not for anyone. If this has been a year of mishaps, misgivings, and missed opportunities, it's time to set our "souls on fire!"   

We can hear our hearts beating as the excitement returns. It will happen only as much as we are willing and able to encourage it. Resistance will render the "beat" unable to perform. It will extinguish the fire. And we will suffer a hardened heart, instead of a loving one. And who wants that!

Five Easy Ways to Get the Beat Going!

Think of the word Grace as an acronym. Grace is simply receiving the gifts of favor and kindness from a loving God who believes us to be deserving of all of His blessings.  

Grateful thoughts - every single day brings more than enough to be thankful for that could fill an ocean. Sunrises, lattes, children's laughter, our health and safety, friends, books, gardens, hugs, pets, music, God's creation, and most important, His promise of heaven for all eternity. (Psalm 105:1)

Refreshing efforts - along with that sunrise, if we get outdoors each day and breathe in and out, our health can't help but to improve in amazing ways. Then we will naturally want to eat healthy and move our bodies, too. Our energy level will soar! Our outlook will change in remarkable ways. (Psalm 147:8)

Abiding attitudes - regaining our happiness is a major feat for ourselves and those around us! We can choose to live in bitterness and an unforgiving environment, but we will never be peaceful. We can't have it both ways. Once mistakes are learned, our unhappy past has no purpose whatsoever. Today is all we are promised. Not tomorrow, not next week nor next year. Today is the present. Live in it! (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Calm temperaments - to regain a sense of who we are meant to be is to find out and practice ways to remain calm and composed. This is easier for some women than others. Only you know you. A common cause of staying upset all the time, full of anxiety, and living in depression is harboring and entertaining worries on a consistent basis. God never wants that for us! (Matthew 6:25-32)

Expressing love - "Let me count the ways!" Nothing will move us faster into God's will than spilling the very best of ourselves into the lives of others. Just a simple smile can do it. Laughter and a hug upon seeing a friend (without complaining about our lives) can fill both of us. Give love. Get love. (2 John 1:6)         

Last Thoughts

If we truly want a better life full of love, laughter, meaning and purpose, it's up to us. There is no one else walking on the face of this earth that will make it happen for us. No one else has the ability to do that. We alone have to decide what we want and how we will change for the better.

If we ever want to share our lives with someone else at some point, it's advisable to take out the “trash” first that buries us in sadness, worry, and bitterness before “cooking up a new recipe!”

“May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence [grace], put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 MSG.