Creativity as religion

In the very beginning of his terrific work The Creativity Book, Eric Maisel recommends making creativity your religion: "You can either make it an important supplement to your Catholicism, Judaism, or Buddhism, or you can make it your primary religion. Why choose creativity? Because creating is soulful work."

He reminds us that having no time is no excuse. "We can carve time out of thin air, or we can fill up even infinite stretches of time with nothingness. These are our choices. You can make a quarter hour appear from nowhere if that's really your heart's desire; wanting it to appear is proof that you're becoming an everyday creative person."

I was in a terrible funk toward the end of July, and on the way across the kitchen to get some coffee, something snapped and I quickly learned what my friends have been telling me about back pain. I know I didn't "cause" my back to hurt, but I understand the mind/body connection, and I heard my soul's message: Change is needed, and will come. How would you like it? Sunny side up, scrambled, or fried?"

I've chosen creativity. Every day. This morning I took a moment to replant a few pots: the impatiens that can't take the heat and has lost her two sisters; the aloe vera that has once again grown as far as he can. I weeded our prayer garden, fed the birds. I created beauty.

My funk has floated away like mist on a fresh morning breeze. I wake up excited about my day, wondering what I will choose to make/create/begin/dream today. Drumming with raindrops? Stitching a seam? Shimmying to a Latin beat? Or perhaps, writing this blog. The possibilities are endless. What's possible for you?

Creative Assignment: Think of something you do that makes you feel alive. Do that thing today, even for five minutes, even if only in your daydream.