Anyway, the daughter is talking to a friend about what she wants for Christmas. They are reading a catalog of expensive gadgets and the one girl says to the other, "What are you gonna ask for?" She answered, "Money's kinda tight at home, so my mom and I usually make each other gifts. That's how I got into painting and writing songs in the first place." Her response was, "Wow...You just sucked all the joy out of the holiday for me." It is a reality check, isn't it? I believe we become creative when we're at our humblist (is that a word??!!). So just like another Kincade calendar quote says, "Every time you attempt to solve a problem, you're being creative."

I certainly believe the quote that creativity isn't optional for any human being. Once we forget about creativity, we've become spoiled and lose our connection to our inner self so to speak. We push it away with selfishness. Because it takes time to be creative, and we're so selfish with our time. Proof for me is the last time I blogged, it was last summer! That's too long. If I am going to stay connected with my inner self (which is being a writer) then I need to write!

What do you have in your inner self that you haven't practiced lately? Remember, all our time is free time. How we utilize our time to make the most of it is key. I never schedule time for creativity but I do think about how I can be creative in everything I do so it is a mindset. It's probably easy for me because I am a people pleaser. I love it when people tell me, "You're so creative!" because I can give the glory to God since after all, He created everything in the first place!

We are all called to "be" or "do" something. I think we all know what that is too. I challenge you to take some time this weekend to do some of what it is you were called to do. The laundry can wait! Is it photography? Go to the botanical gardens and take some pictures and put them on a slideshow as your screensaver and you'll smile every time you see them. It will remind you of your creativity, and hopefully God's beautiful creation too.

Are you an excellent thinker, therefore a great chessplayer? Dust off the old board and teach someone how to play the game. Hand down that wisdom to the next generation and you'll have made your mark on this world. Do it NOW, you'll feel better for it. It will make next Monday easier to tackle. Let me know how it goes for you!