I am with my older son this week in Phoenix, AZ for the Boys Junior National Championship for volleyball.
I did not think I would write a blog this week, but suddenly I was inspired to. This was the scene outside our hotel room. I was “inspired” to talk about inspiration.
Recently I listened to Dr. Shefali talk with Barnet Bain about creativity. Barnet mentioned the stepwise nature (and importance) of curiosity, wonder and awe. And it got me to thinking…
What is creativity?
When I was younger, I used to say I was not creative because I was not good at drawing. I limited the concept of creativity to such a narrow window. Recently, I have realized how much larger creativity really is. Basically, if you are breathing then you are creative. You could be creative as a painter, singer or actor. You could be creative at figuring out how things fit together. Or creative at finding the best words to communicate to your child. Arranging schedules. Creative at business. Singing or writing or basket-weaving.
This is true for everyone, including parents. And as I witness more and more the value of self-care for parents, I believe expressing our creativity is even more important.
When we become parents, it can be so easy to “lose” ourselves in the never-ending list of things to do. At some point some years down the road, many parents will begin to realize that they have “forgotten” who they are aside from being a parent. It is at this point when it is crucial to spend time getting to know yourself again.
We are on this planet to become the fullest expression of who we are meant to be. And we cannot do that if we allow our identity to just evaporate in the pure service of our children.
Once you realize this, what do you do? You have to remember what you love to do or maybe you need to try something new that you may find that you love.
How do we move forward?
If you are finding it hard to be inspired, you need look no further than nature. Nature is what inspired me to write this blog. There is so much wonder and awe to be found if you just look outside and observe the way a tree grows, or the symphonic sounds different birds make in the morning, or the many colors that appear in a sunset.
No, there is no end to the inspiration you can find in nature.
And once you find it, you must use it. You may use that inspiration to sit down and write (like I am doing). Or you may use that inspiration to sign up for that painting class you have always wanted to try. Or that belly dancing class your friend told you about. Whatever it is. When you are feeding your creativity and following your wonder, awe and curiosity, you will feel more alive than ever.
And isn’t that a great thing to model for your children? Do you want them to grow up and just become a cardboard cutout going to work, coming home, going to bed and getting up to do it all over again? Or would you rather them squeeze every last drop that life has to offer?
Remember, YOU are the model for them….
