~ Elder Uchtdorf
kriːˈeɪt/
verb
verb: create; 3rd person present: creates; past tense: created; past participle: created; gerund or present participle: creating
- 1.
bring (something) into existence.- cause (something) to happen as a result of one's actions.
- (of an actor) originate (a role) by playing a character for the first time.
- invest (someone) with a title of nobility.
- cause (something) to happen as a result of one's actions.
- 2.
BRITISHinformal
make a fuss; complain.
"little kids create because they hate being ignored"
Did you stop when your humble stick figure drawings of the family were no longer good enough for the fridge? Or when a teacher sniggered at your attempt to draw the still life bowl of fruit? Or was it when you just assumed that what you created was not good enough to be shared with the world?
What we overlook is that we do create every day we are alive.
Whether it is how we dress for the day, take an Instagram shot, make a note in our gratitude journal, decorate the dinner table with flowers.... every single one of these acts are part of our daily contributions to being creative beings. We don't have to be painters, sculptors, authors or photographers by profession in order to be active participants in the creative world we live in.
Sadly a lot of us are stopped dead in our creative tracks at around the age of 10. That seems to be around the time of our lives when the opinions of others starts to matter to us. We don't want to expose ourselves to ridicule so if creativity is not a natural inclination we just stop. What a loss to the world when all 10 year old children stop creating.
There is a deep need in the human soul to create and we will all reach a point where we can no longer deny that urge without causing ourselves unhappiness. But to pick up the mantle takes a lot of courage and deep soul digging because before we can pick up the pen, paintbrush or camera we have to be willing to risk ridicule.
I have often said I do not have a creative bone in my body, yet here I am. I write. I take photos. I scrapbook. I create a sanctuary to retreat to each night with the items I choose to surround myself with. I may consider myself not creative but yet I am actively involved in the act of creating.
It has been with the help of like minded individuals that I risk that ridicule because the need to get my creation out of my head and onto paper or captured as an image on my camera is greater than my fear of the opinion of others... (well not always but most of the time). Fear is natural - it means you are alive. Don't shy away from it. Let it help shape your creativity.
Age does help cushion us against the opinions of others. It may matter in some respects but mostly we are are able to look past those opinions and continue with what brings us joy. My attitude is simple - don't like my writing, don't read it. Not a fan of my photos, scroll past. The loss would be if I didn't write or I didn't take the photo because I then give up the opportunity of perhaps inspiring someone else to dig deep for their creativity and I would be denying my own right to create.
Create because you always have something to offer.
Create to bring joy to your soul.
Create to participate in life.
Big or small just keep creating.
Love Always