Exercise, Eat Right and be Creative

Good Monday Morning! I am ready to jump into this week with both feet and I hope you are, too.  It's here whether we are ready or not, so we might as well make the most of it. 😀

If you are anything like me, you are wanting not only to make the most of this week, but this year. Maybe you have been thinking about your health more this month. I know I have. I am not getting any younger and sorry to break it to you..., you aren't either.  I exercise, eat right...most of the time..., but I need to do more to offset the effects of old age creeping up on me. Lack of sleep, stress, and those days when I am less than careful about what I am eating, affect me more the older I get. That is why I have been studying, researching and just thinking more about how I am going to fight this battle for my health as long as I'm able.

Anyone who has thought anything about getting in better shape physically or mentally, has heard that you need to exercise, eat right, even sleep more, but did you know that being creative is also good for your health? I use to think creative people were the crafty or artistic type, which I am not, but the more I read about it, the more I am convinced being creative is so much more than that.

I believe that when we were created in the image of God, part of that image is creativity. After all, God is the Creator of all. No one holds a candle to His Creativity, but He did give all of us the ability to be creative. We just need to learn what that means for us. 

According to this article in "Forbes" magazine,

 creativity is actually a basis of human life. Of course! God's Creativity is why humans exist at all! But, here are some of the benefits to creativity they give:

1. Increases happiness

2. Reduces dementia

3. Improves mental health
4. Boosts your immune system
5. Makes you smarter

This next article gives 22 reasons, why people with creative outlets are more successful:

A few of the reasons, Michelle Millis Chappel lists are:

1. You discover and develop your unique talents.
2. You see the world through fresh eyes.
3. You learn to think on your feet.

The problem is so many people believe they aren't creative, because they think like I use to.  "I am not an artist or crafty, so I am not creative." Wrong! Even in the first article I mentioned, they begin by talking about coloring and doodling. Creativity is so much more than that, although those are creative outlets too. Some of the most creative people on the planet are children. Do what they do for a while and their creativity will amaze you. They don't need art or craft supplies to be creative either.

As I was thinking about this blog, I began to come up with some ways people are creative. Some of these may appeal to you or you may have some different ideas you could share with us. Remember, you don't have to produce professional quality. Maybe after much practice you will find you are that good, but this is not about a paycheck, it's about you enjoying your God given ability to be creative.

Writing- (of course!) Writing can take many forms, from writing a novel to writing in a journal. 

Photography-If you enjoy taking pictures, then don't wait for the next family gathering or vacation. Take pictures, share them, let others enjoy the view of the world through your camera lens.

Woodworking-Refinishing a table, to building a table; I am impressed with the work some people can do with their woodworking skills. If working with wood relaxes you and is something you find interesting, give it a try.

Whittling-Really! There are some people out there that can do some pretty amazing work with a piece of wood and a pocket knife.

Singing/Music-You don't have to have a voice like Celine Dion to enjoy singing and this area of creativity, is as easy as turning on your favorite radio station.

*This is one of my favorite Karaoke songs to sing. With YouTube, you can do Karaoke at home! My family loves doing this together. My husband also loves to buy musical instruments for our grandchildren. They have so much fun making "music" with their Papa! Maybe one day at least one of them will find that they really do love making music and have been given that particular creative gift.

Gardening/Flower Arrangement-DNA for the green thumb, did not get passed down to me. That doesn't stop me from planting a spring garden every year with my husband. We still try to keep our fruit trees productive and make plans for new things we want to plant. I think my husband's efforts are the only thing that keeps them alive, despite me. If fact the only two plants I have been able to keep alive on my own are two cactus.

They don't look like much, but I am proud of them. They have survived my feeble attempts to take care of them for many years now. I keep thinking about moving them to a larger flower pot, but I don't know if they would live through that. Maybe one day I'll try. The point of this is, even though I am not good at gardening, it brings me joy to try. It relaxes me and whenever something does succeed in growing, it is like I have received an award.

Cross-stitching, Needlework, Sewing-There was a man I once knew, that had a heart-attack. His doctor told him he should take up cross-stitching to relax him and help him deal with stress. The man ended up loving it so much, he made large, beautiful cross-stitched pictures!

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law, are very talented in the woodworking and sewing areas. They started receiving so many requests for the things they make, they now have a side business selling their creations, in addition to their missionary work. You can find them @scissorsandsaw. Here is some of their work:

 

 

Arts and Crafts-If you are good at these types of creativity, then make sure you make the time for it. You have a gift, that many people can enjoy with you.

I could go on and on with ideas for ways to be creative, but many books fill libraries with creative things you can do. So, of course, I have to stop somewhere. 😄 Don't make excuses, God gave you the gift of creativity for a reason. It's a good gift, so don't waste it. "But I don't have the time!", you may say. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. I had this trouble and still do. I don't know where my time has gone, and I don't know why I couldn't accomplish even half of the things I wanted to each day. What has helped me improve (I am still a work in progress.), and it may help you, too, is to look at your 24 hours and make note of how exactly you are using them. We need to make priorities in our lives. For me, my spiritual health, physical health and mental health are all priorities for me. If that means I have to say no to something that comes further down on the list of priorities, then so be it. My writing is very important to me, but if my family needs me, then my writing has to take a back seat to them. At the same time, my writing will come first to other things that are less important to me. 

We all have to make choices with our blessing of life. Make creativity a priority. I think you will find that you enjoy the rest of your life a little more, if you do. Also, creativity doesn't necessarily have to be done solitarily, sometimes you can find others, who enjoy the same things; a spouse, your child, a friend, take a class, join a club or just enjoy the time to do something on your own. Which ever way appeals to you, make the time.  Don't forget to thank the Lord, though, for the wonderful gift of creativity. May God bless you and your family this week with many opportunities to be creative.

In Christ,

Sandy

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