A dream is a wish your heart makes:)

Sing with me if you know it:)

 A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true.

Yes, this little Cinderella ditty is full of platitudes, but in the world of creativity and allowing ourselves to envision our dreams through that creative lens, then HEY, let's just get a bit dreamy-eyed and start aiming for what may appear to be impossible right at this moment.

One of my favorite things to do is to attempt (key word here...attempt) to interpret dreams...appropriate for this post, I know, I know. But there are some consistencies within our dream world that can appear on a regular basis. Things that are important to us may be masked as some kind of challenge or obstacle. Maybe it's what seems to be unattainable for you... people talk about flying in their dreams...to one person it may be euphoric, something weightless and lovely, representing freedom. But to someone else, flying may be representing a fear, not being "grounded", flightiness or irresponsibility. My point is, in order to interpret a dream in any way, you need to have intimate knowledge of the individual and what is happening in their lives.

Dreams can be a great way to see inside our hearts and minds what is really important to us. Family, friends, faith...all the components that go into a happy and fulfilled life. Part of that life is finding out what you really want to do with what God has given you, with your own personal creativity. We've talked before about taking small steps toward a creative goal, but what about coming up with an overall wish, dream, vision for what you want to do with your unique creative DNA. My suggestion at this point, to kick it all off?

write.it.down.

Turn all of those swirling thoughts that run through your mind like a merry-go-round, into something with a rhythm. Something that ultimately sums up what you want to do. Many would call it a mission statement, and for lack of fluffy words or a magical mantra, I'm going to stick with that. Take some time to think through where your mind continually returns.  In what situations do your efforts feel effortless?What parts of your life fly by and you don't even begin to think about what time it is....don't you love that feeling? write.it.down.

So maybe this will be your first creative step. write.it.down.
xoxo
r

Proverbs 16:9

Verse Concepts

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Goal-Setting#sthash.umGYBeAD.dpuf

Proverbs 16:9

Verse Concepts

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Goal-Setting#sthash.tnxtQcQN.dpuf

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Proverbs 16:9

Verse Concepts

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Goal-Setting#sthash.umGYBeAD.dpuf

  

Embrace Imperfectionism

This is a very difficult concept for many of us, reveling in the perfection of the imperfect. It does sound like an oxymoron, but if we try so hard to be perfect, particularly when we're being creative, we have no room to grow. How do we know when we've improved upon something if we keep throwing everything away?

I don't know about you, but many times I find myself paralyzed with the thought that the reality of a project or idea in my head won't match what my fingers eventually will configure. But then, I begin,  I find that the imperfections make a piece unique and all my own, no one else will do it exactly that way, and most of the time the actual imperfections make something a "keeper".

In the Japanese culture there is lovely practice, kintsugi. It is the art of repairing something that is broken, with metal, gold or silver lacquer, with the understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken. So.many.visuals.

Maybe when we're embracing imperfectionism we can identify with something that we've created and how God sees His creations…us… I personally think we all are more attractive with scars, both inner and outer, because it shows we've actually lived, that we've allowed ourselves to have room to grow, make mistakes and hopefully move on.  Just think of how His forgiveness and His love have highlighted a difficult life journey with the gold of kindness and patience, and the silver of empathy, understanding or any other gift that emerges from brokenness.

So maybe we can tie up this concept of imperfection and perfection and package it in regard to our creativity. Maybe in everything we do, whether it be caring for our children, working at our jobs or creating works of art, we can enjoy the freedom that the beauty is not in the perfection of what we do, or the actual product, but of attempting to do it and be ready with the superglue.

xoxo
r
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30)

A HUNTING WE WILL GO!

So many of you quirksters are aware that an upcoming treasure hunt event is on the horizon. I will be posting the how-tos and what-if's to the Quirkified Facebook page listed under events. Yet, I thought I might do a bit more than just tease you.

You will be looking for a Quirkified Crocheted Rock. THAT is a treasure in and of itself, but you might ask, "is that ALL I get?"….you might end up muttering a Charlie Brownism "all i got was a rock" and that would just be pitiful. So, NO, you will be receiving something handmade from my etsy Quirkified shop:)… you could also purchase your own crocheted rock which will be available on etsy in the next few days. Quirkified will number and track its adventures for you… who knows where this treasure hunt could go.

A few more specifics:
I will be making frequent posts to Quirkified with clues as to where to find the crocheted rock. You may participate in the hunt in one of two ways.

1. Look for the ACTUAL rock, make an afternoon of it, even if it ends up being a snipe hunt ('cuz some random person may have already picked it up.) It would be a fun activity to do with a friend, loved one, enemy or stranger. Just think of all the bonding you would do when you ask people, "have you seen a bright green crocheted rock around here somewhere?" (insert odd and averted gazes and looks here….we LIVE for those moments.) If you actually get your hands on THE.VERY.ROCK. you will automatically receive a free gift from the etsy Quirkified shop.
 ( you will need to follow the instructions on Quirkified Facebook events page in order to obtain your gift…thank you for reading the fine print…you rock. no pun intended, or maybe…hmmmm)

2. Find the crocheted rock, virtually, yes I said, virtually. Piece together the Facebook clues and if you come up with the correct location? described in detail and posted to Quirkified's page? The 8th person to submit their guess will receive a free etsy Quirkified gift. Now that's a deal.

First of all, there's the fun and excitement of hunting for something.

Second of all, there's finding the something.

Third of all, you get the opportunity for FREE STUFF.


as usual, there's  a verse that goes with our topic or event:)

xoxo r
Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

Spice up your habits!

SPICE UP YOUR HABITS;)

Once we've started a habit of creativity and spending actual time "doing" instead of mulling, we need to take steps to keep things fresh within that framework, to "spice it up" so to speak.

In relationships, if they become too habitual or predictable, they lose their luster and their love glow. Frankly, they lose their creativity. There is a lot to be said for comfort, but surprises are wonderful too. What about our relationship with God? How do we express that? do we take time for it, or do we run through the motions with the predictability of liturgical practices that we have innately memorized, but no longer hear.

With the dawning of all things Quirkified, for me, it has been a bit of spicing up most of what I already do. Turning my creative habit into less of a "race against a deadline" and more of a "let's enjoy the journey". I find myself getting lost now in moments where I'm painting, crocheting, writing and trying to make space in a life that is attempting to stay fresh but not frantic.

Basically, today what I really want to share and encourage all of us to do is make our habits and the mundane into something more magical. I'm sure you're probably thinking, "exactly how do I do that?" or "easier said than done", but maybe we just need to be more present, particularly taking notice of those joy moments where there are no visible numbers on the clock...just be. This may sound kind of zen-like and perhaps a bit impractical? Sooooo let's get practical about spicing up our habits (it's really not as much of an oxymoron as it sounds.)

1. Make time to notice the "happy". Write it down, draw it, sing it, pray it.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of spirit is…joy (that's one of them, at least)

2. Connect with other people, be accountable within your creativity. A new habit can be doing coffee with a friend, attending a bible study, mentoring someone, volunteering. You might be surprised what stepping out of your initial comfort zone within the parentheses of your creative context will do to add a bit of punch to your habits.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

3. Solitude. Take some time to go for a walk, bike ride, run, something that gets you moving but is solitary. Let yourself be refreshed by recognizing what your body can do, yes, many of us have limits, but we can do something. Your brain and your creativity will thank you mightily for making this one a habit.
Psalms 55:7  Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah

Personally, I think 3 things to spice up your habits is a really good start, you may just want to focus on one until you feel it's part of you. Of course you may already be doing so much of this, but maybe you just needed a nudge to notice it and throw it into the spicy mixture that is now your life habit of creativity. 


xoxo r