Discover Your Creative Self

Have you ever had the thought that you would have liked to play the piano, but never got around to it? Or you always wanted to write that book about your father, but convinced yourself that you do not have the talent to do it? Or you always loved painting, but now you feel you have passed the age to start?
Maybe, it is time to meet your creative self. Maybe some of you are best friends with that self; but some of you may need to say stronger helloes to that part that wants to speak out.

As a human being, I believe we are by definition creative beings. Whatever you call the source – God, or the universal energy, the universe or your mind, we all have an amazing potential waiting to come out. Creativity is an outpouring of energy. We and the universe are all made up of energy. Albert Einstein’s work has shown that what we perceive as solid matter is basically empty space with an energy center and energy movement around it. Therefore, we can say that all is energy and so we all have the raw material to create. We just need to get this energy flowing out and taking shape, following our imagination and heart.

I have studied industrial engineering and operations research in college. My father was a civil engineer, as well as my brother. When I was studying in college, I probably would not consider listening to you, if you would have tried to convince me that I would turn out to be an artist and would even have an art studio of my own. In less than ten years, both came out to be true. So, please never say that you are not creative or are not artistically oriented. Remember, what you speak out has a tendency to turn out to be true. You may never know what talents are hidden inside you.

The key is in starting. Be open for adventures. Look into what you like to do. Do you like to write, to paint, to work with clay or wood? Do you like sewing or cooking? I am not including reading or watching a movie in this list. Let’s concentrate on the “doing”s - the active deeds where the outcome can be sensed with at least one of our five senses. Of course, if the sixth sense also approves, it’s all the better. Experiment to find out where your talents and desires are.

Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, suggests that we write what she calls “the morning pages”. She recommends that we keep a notebook and a pen or a pencil by the bed, and write at least three pages first thing in the morning. They do not need to follow any order or to be grammatically correct. She even says: “If you have nothing to say, write ‘I have nothing to say’, or ‘I can’t think of anything to write’ if that maybe the case; do anything until you have filled three pages. “ She recommends it, to get most of the negative thoughts and emotions, our mental chatter out of our system; so that we can open up to ourselves, to our creative self, which is hidden behind all the clutter.

If you try writing the pages, you will gain an amazing tool to discover many hidden aspects of yourself, as well as a method to clear your mind. As I was writing the pages, thoughts that I never imagined I had, came out : places that I never realised I wanted to go to, friends that I forgot I missed, things that I hated which I believed I loved. Writing a continuous stream allows thoughts and feelings to find an exit to come out. To be able to move forward creatively, we need to be aware of our true feelings and desires and let our heart and soul speak through them.

Another important point Cameron wants us to remember is “to ignore our inner censor” our negative self talk that looks down upon our efforts of the heart. She writes: “So you drew your first sketch? The Censor says, ‘It’s not Picasso.’ …stop taking the Censor as the voice of reason and learn to hear it for the blocking device that it is.”

Cameron also has interesting questions for you to ask yourself. One of them is: “If you had five other lives to lead, what would you do in each of them?” The answers to this question might give you some lead into where to start to pick up an activity of even job that will make you feel more fulfilled and happy. Listen to your heart. Then look at your list and take five actions that would bring you a step closer to the imaginary life. She says: “If you have an imaginary life that says “cowboy”, you can schedule a riding lesson or buy a book on horses.” As simple as it may sound, it works. This brings satisfaction to the deaper levels of our soul. It brings in the enthusiasm to want to experience more.

Do not wait to learn all the techniques of what you want to do in order to start. As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” First, take action - write, paint, carve, sing, play, anything you like. And if you feel like it, also, start learning the methods to do what you like to do, better. Do it, as much and as good as you can. Most importantly, please always enjoy yourself. I believe we were born to enjoy this life that we were given. Letting our creativity out can only make us happier.

“Look and you will find it – what is unsought will go undetected.” Sophocles

Love you all. Z.


Affirmation of the Week:
“I now recognize my creativity, and I honor it.”
By Louise L.Hay
Author of bestseller books such as You Can Heal Your Life and HealYour Body.

Quote of the Week:
“I don’t have a lot of respect for talent. Talent is genetic. It’s what you do with is that counts.” Martin Ritt

Suggested Reading:
“The Artist’s Way” By Julia Cameron
The book is sold under the name “İçinizdeki Yaratıcıyı Keşfedin” in Turkish as well.