it's not the end:)

I'm pretty sure the whole world is thinking about the end of 2014... maybe it's with relish, "phew, that year's finally over, it really STUNK!"or maybe it's with a bit of a "meh" there was good, there was not so good, but I'm looking forward to that fresh start. Maybe, just maybe, this was the year of success, change, motivation and exciting journeys, maybe all of the good that happened FAR outweighs any inconvenience, sadness or depression.

As with every year, there are always ups and downs, (understatement, I know) some of those downs can be overwhelmingly life changing and so challenging that we don't know how to maneuver to the "up". But I want to go back to my roots when I think of being down and getting stuck there, my mom always told me to "do something for someone else". No, I have not had a lot of personal experience with extreme struggles, trials and tragedy, but my mom has! and frankly she truly walks the walk and talks the talk of how to crawl out of those dark places in life. (shameless plug here). She recently finished a book called, "He Leadeth Me", by Charlotte Halsell Bradshaw (you can find it on Amazon, wink, wink). This little book chronicles how God has led her through some mighty fine times, but also how His voice guided her through some trials that would make the strongest soul crumble if they didn't have the Creator of the Universe talking them through it.

My point here is, and as usual I DO have one, we have 365 days within a year. But who says that December 31, 2014 at 12 midnight has to denote "the end". Yes, it is the actual end of 2014, (thank you to any doubters out there about my "point"), but it is NOT the end of trying, striving and attempting to make a difference. We definitely have to start with ourselves and what daily attitude we will put on, but if our circumstances are less than stellar, sometimes the circumstances may win. So what do we do? Choose our attitude, choose to step outside of our circumstances, choose to see the glass half full, choose to forget about ourselves for awhile and do something for someone else. There are 8,760 hours in a year and they can begin at any point, there really is only one "end". So until that day comes? Maybe you can make some conscious choices to move forward, it may be inch by inch, but
 you'll get where you want to go eventually. Because it's really not the end.

Let's continue this conversation in the next several days with some practical "how-to's"
Hope all is well with you my quirksters
Talk to y'all soon
xoxo
r

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)

What are we here for?

Welcome my old friends and new ones as well, this little blog will be a work in progress as I endeavor to share, learn and glean about all things blog-like and computer world related all with the pin-pointed focus on creativity and how that relates to God and real life.

The purpose behind this bit of writing is to encourage myself and others that we can be creative, every.single.day. God designed us for a purpose and we each have a unique way to express ourselves; art, poetry, music. Those are the "go-to" creative categories where we tend to wedge our abilities. Yet, being able to run a household, getting along with others (aka, tact), finances, organization, and SO many more, are ways that God has gift-wrapped our particular DNA. All we have to do? (welllll, all? sounds simple, yes?) is to figure out our sweet spot. What it is that floats our boat, gets our juices flowing, makes "time fly when we're having fun" and every other platitude that will encourage us to DO SOMETHING.

Recently, in the past year, I have had a revelation through the encouragement of my mom, sister-in-law and husband (you will often hear of Timmy, for those of you that don't know us, he IS my husband but we've known each other so long that I'm not changing my name for him, "Timmy",  to adjust to any stigma attached to the fact that we are grandparents and being courted by AARP.) anyway, these people and many more, I might add, are responsible for my desire to finally attempt to be creative on a regular basis. I've always had a goal in mind to sell my crafty wares and artistic dalliances through some type of venue that would allow me to have feedback and also be "doable". Etsy has become the crafters haven for all things handmade so I thought I would join the throng, and drag my dear mother along for the adventure.

So this is why we are here, on this blog…to be crafty and creative and to enjoy and share ways to encourage each other to follow after what God has placed in our hearts and minds that will express the unique gifts He has given us.

From here? go to Facebook, and "like" our new "Quirkified". Let's keep in contact in a variety of ways and make this a way to communicate. Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think!!
xoxo
r
Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter;

 And all of us are the work of Your hand.

- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Creativity#sthash.jp8sEpyr.dpuf