Creativity sets you free

I am a firm believer that creativity sets you free. In my understanding of Genesis 1-3 we are told that a creative loving God made us in His image. I think we were created to be creative and living beings. It is when embrace that creativity and loving nature that we find real joy. 

I had the privilege to sit on a panel with a colleague that teaches compassion. What struck me as we spoke was that if we are to experience real compassion, joy, love opening ourselves creatively allows us to reach that like no other way can. Creativity sets you free. 

In recent years I have taken up and old favourite colouring. So admist learning to knit, sew, bead and other things I have gone back to colouring because creativity sets you free. Let me tell you three stories to help illustrate. 

I once was in a desperate place and needed outside help to find a solution. I had a good friend who recommended a counsellor to me. In those sessions I would draw and colour because the type of personality i have (a little bit in control) could only process this with the help of art. Creativity sets you free. 

In recent years life has been more than a little frustrating so I have taken up colouring. Cannot ever say I was good at drawing but an eye for colour that is something I definitely have. But I was told that colouring stifles creativity in children. So I was somewhat put out by this and stood against it. Turns out that psychologists suggest colouring because of its creative nature among other things. (Frustratingly I have an article that discusses this point but my phone is stopping my creativity!) 

Recently I have been on a show and my fellow guest is a lecturer in conpassion. If you think you know. You have no idea. Anyway one of the things that I really took away from that conversation is that when God speaks of peace that passes all understanding and real unspeakable joy. We know these things when we mirror the God whose image we were created in. One of the main characteristics is that of love and creativity. When we awaken our love and creativity we become free in a way that even we cannot understand.  We did joy and peace in a way that does not make sense to others. Creativity sets you free. 

I guess what I am using myself to do more than anything is to get in touch with my creativity and loving nature so that I can share that peace and joy with others. Creativity sets you free. 

God bless