I’m delighted to host my friend and fellow Love Inspired author Mindy Obenhaus as my guest blogger today. I’ve known of Mindy for a few years, but I met her in person at the 2012 ACFW conference, and we clicked. We have a lot in common, including having the privilege of sharing the same Love Inspired editor.
This year at ACFW, I will be cheering loud and proud for her at our Gala Awards because The Doctor’s Family Reunion, her debut novel, is a Carol finalist…another thing we have in common. Mindy lives in Texas with her husband and two of her five children. Her second book, Rescuing the Texan’s Heart, is a September release. When she’s not writing, Mindy enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her grandkids.
~*~
I love to create. As a writer, I create characters and story lines from a spark of an idea. Writing is hard work, though, and sometimes I have to step away from the computer and allow myself to explore other avenues of creativity.
- Made to create.
Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:27 tells us that, “God created mankind in His own image.” So if we were created in God’s image and He created everything, then that tells me that we were made to create. So don’t tell me you’re not creative. You might have to dig for it, but you’ve got it in you.
- Creativity is inspired.
Inspiration is all around us. We see someone sporting a new haircut and decide that’s just the cut we’ve been looking for. Or maybe it’s a picture in a magazine that inspires you to redecorate a room in your house. Perhaps we see a story on the news about suffering animals and are motivated to help out at your local animal shelter. Even the kind act of another can inspire us to be a better person.
In 2006, my mother-in-law introduced me to the tiny town of Ouray, Colorado. Nestled in a bowl among the San Juan Mountain range, Ouray captured my heart and inspired me to write a series of stories set there.
- Creativity comes in many forms.
Our own Lisa Jordan likes to make cards. Beautiful cards. My friend, Becky, likes to crochet. My oldest daughter enjoys repurposing furniture.
Me?
I like to create in the kitchen.
Or I might get a wild hair and decide to take something from drab…
To totally fab.
Even shopping can be creative. Ever gone clothes shopping? Paired up slacks and shirts or shoes with an outfit? Did you even realize you were expressing your creativity?
Or what about the teacher who decorates her classroom or assembles a stellar lesson plan? The mechanic who takes a car from DOA to purring like a kitten? Yes, that’s creativity in action.
- Creativity gives us a sense of fulfillment.
Back to that mechanic… How do you think he felt when he got that car running? Proud? Like he’d accomplished something?
Yep, creativity will do that for you. We just don’t want to take that pride thing too far.
- So now it’s your turn. How are you creative? What inspires you to be creative? Or, if you’re sitting there thinking you’re not creative, what are you good at? What are some of the things that you enjoy? Creativity is not only a God-given ability, it’s inherent. Life’s too short to let anything squelch your creativity. So go forth and create.
Lisa again: Mindy, thanks so much for being here. To celebrate Mindy’s Carol final and her newest release, I’m giving away 1 of each of Mindy’s novels in ebook form! To be eligible to win, you must leave a comment with your email address.
I have been one of those people who would consider themselves ‘not creative.’ I long to be creative, but have struggled to find the time to dig for it while busy with my three littles at home. Your blog has given me new inspiration to continue to look for and develop my creative side!
Rebecca, it’s hard to find time for ourselves when we have little ones running around. They consume so much of our time and energy that there’s little left over.
As a mother of five now-mostly-grown children, I know how you feel. I started writing right about the time my youngest was getting ready to start kindergarten. Until then, most of my reading came in the form of magazines and, even then, I usually just looked at the pictures.
Soon enough you will have time to explore your creative side, so don’t give up hope. Children are only young once. We don’t get to go back, so enjoy it while you can.
Rebecca, I understand how challenging it can be to find time to be creative. I’ve learned if I wait for the time to become available, other things would fill it. Now I make appointments on my calendar for creative time. I love stamping, so once a week or once every couple of weeks, I get together with a friend to make cards.
Consider your schedule and see where you set aside some time for yourself. Maybe during naptime or an hour in the evening when the little ones are in bed. Pinterest is a great source to inspire creativity too.
Thank you for visiting and commenting.
You are so right Mindy about each of us having creativity inside us. I have a whole list of things I love to do. just no time anymore. 🙂
Your books are wonderful and I’ll be cheering for you at the banquet. woo hoo
Hi, Lorraine! I’m SO looking forward to seeing you next week.
Don’t you wish there were more hours in the day? Seems no matter what stage of life we’re in, time is always a rare commodity. Of course, we spend most of ours just sitting around, playing with our imaginary friends. 😉
Lorraine,
It’s tough to find time to be creative when you’re juggling other responsibilities, isn’t it?
I found I have to schedule the time on my calendar like I would any other appointment. That gives me mental freedom to move away from the to-do list and give myself the necessary down time I need for other creative pursuits.
Thank you for visiting and commenting!
I never thought I was creative until I made silk flowers…they were so beautiful that I thought Wow, I did that. I went from silk flowers to writing to pottery. Now all I have time for is writing. 🙂 Great post!
Pat,
You’re an amazing artist. I’ve never met anyone until now who made silk flowers. How fun! I’ve been playing recently with making paper roses. I love your pottery. You’ve been gifted with the creativity gene!
Thanks for visiting!
Sounds like you are very creative, Pat. Finding those outlets can be so rewarding.