just a little bit.

I wonder how many of us when we consider accomplishing a task, whether it be glaringly creative, like a mural that spans the side of a 747,  or attempting to keep our yard from becoming an Amazon jungle (unless you actually live in the Amazon jungle, this is probably not your landscaping goal…) What I'm saying is,  that no matter what we do, instead of being overwhelmed by a task or project , maybe we can break it down. I am verrrrrryyyyyy slowly learning this lesson and actually having minor  success, of course it IS day by day, so hey, fingers crossed.

First, what do you want to do? Do you want to re-organize something? do you want to paint a picture? do you want to write a song? maybe you want to start a blog, run a marathon, train your dog.  The possibilities are endless and time can really be your friend. 

So you might ask, 

"Hey Quirkified, if I'm gonna  run a marathon, how do I start?"

and I will readily answer,

"with the first step and eventually you'll hit that 33,000 steps that will equal 26.2 miles"

(yes, this is an approximation but I did look it up)…;)

But seriously, the first step in anything, is the smallest form of forward that YOU can handle. This is very individual, maybe you're a list person, maybe you're a "get up and do it" person, maybe you're a muller and you need to let everything compile in your brain or maybe it's setting a specific goal and time to accomplish what you want to do. 

So? begin. Whatever you want to do, do just a little bit and those little bits will add up to a finished product. Think of a beautiful Monet painting full of dots and colors on a large canvas. That didn't just miraculously happen. Each flick and dab of his paintbrush was a forward step in completing his masterpiece.

What's your masterpiece going to be? What is your smallest form of forward? Do just a little bit. every.day. 

xoxo

r

2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and don't give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Inspiration, Perspiration and a dab of Procrastination

In the creative world, it seems that we often wait for that lightning bolt of inspiration to strike our imagination. We hold out for the spark to ignite whatever seems to be floating around in our messy brains and bring some order to that chaos. I found a wonderful quote today:

"One man's data is another man's noise."

which in turn makes me think in my world of creativity and ominous disorganization? the ONLY time that I manage to pull together some type of output, is when I have a deadline, hence the "dab of procrastination". So what would happen if we all looked at our creativity as a part of us, like one of our muscles. What if we actually looked at our next endeavor as a process instead of a flash in the pan. Personally, I think God has been showing me for years that the more I work at my creativity the more ideas come to mind and the more I want to express what He has put in my mind AND the more I want to actually complete projects. I have found that grandchildren and making gifts for them can be a great deadline, but also can be an incentive to do other things as well. I love the lessons we learn as we grow up:)

Needless to say? what is your creative chaos and how can you turn it into calming order.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace in all churches of the saints.

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