TAKE TIME TO 'DISCOVER' YOURSELF!

There are at least two things we neglect: time with God and time to ourselves - and the only cure is to TAKE the time whenever you find a few moments.

When you take time for yourself, here are a few ways to help draw the creativity in you to the forefront.

Take a half hour a week and explore art galleries, museums, art shows, craft fairs, and other showings where various artists display their individual talents; attend musicals, concerts, plays, readings and other oral presentations. Tour gardens and beautiful buildings. And ask yourself, where is my attention the greatest? What pulls me? Which talent would I personally like to have?

Visit shops that specifically cater to the musical arts: music stores where musical instruments are sold; or where cds, dvds, downloads and sheet music are sold.

Frequent places that accommodate painters, sculptors, craftsmen in wood and glass, or the sewing crafts. Handle some of the materials. Again, ask yourself if you would like to use any of these. Do paintbrushes or charcoal interest you? Do fabrics intrigue you? Does carving attract you? Would you like to pursue stained glass projects or metal-working?

But you need further investigation to inspire your own originality. You will never truly know where your gifting lies until you TRY something! You need not spend a lot of money to discover what you want to do. One knife and one piece of wood can launch your carving. One paintbrush, a few colors - or a drawing pencil and a few pieces of paper can propel that creativity that lives within your soul.

If you long to sew, begin with a small square piece of fabric, a needle and thread. Embroider a small flower, hem the square, gather the side opposite the flower by tying a piece of thread on a safety pin and working it through that side of the hem. Was this pleasure or drudgery? Do you want to do it again, or improve upon it? Can you gain access to a sewing machine? Get someone to show you the basics, then make your first project a small pair of curtains. Did this project make you want to tackle something more difficult?

Some of this pursuit is just common sense. If you desire to weld sculptures, then you must learn to weld. So, you find such a welder and request that you can spend time watching him work.

Perhaps you live in a community with a local drama company. Learn where and when the next try-outs will be held and determine to be there. Even if you don't try out the first time, you will gain insight and information - and you will know if it peaks your curiosity and draws your interest.

Many communities have local colleges offering a variety of summer classes to anyone interested. Such classes include basic computer, computer graphics, commercial art, painting classes, drafting. Some offer specific crafts. Sign up for one!

Do you want to sing? Then download some songs you love and sing them every day! Go back to your elementary school days and sing do re mi scales. Do you long to dance? Then rent or purchase a few videos of the kind of dance you want to pursue, and dance at home by yourself, until you know you are ready to sign up for classes.

Let your imagination work in your behalf. Get pencil and paper and take 10 minutes by yourself in a quiet place. Close your eyes for a moment (don't catnap, though!) and force yourself to think on something creative. Imagine yourself writing poetry; imagine yourself sculpting with clay; imagine yourself making jewelry, etc., etc. Then write down what you envision. Is there one area that sparks that inner attraction? I would like to know how to sculpt - even tried it once - but now I know that sculpting doesn't call to me, doesn't interest me as painting does. Once you know where your imagination focuses, you will have a better sense of where your talent lies.

Think on these words: write them down; meditate on them; pursue them. You have some or all of these attributes. They are deep within your own persona:
originality
imagination
inspiration
ingenuity
individuality
creativeness
vision
expressiveness
eloquence
clarity
contribution
determination
grit
gift
talent
inventiveness
resourcefulness

Allow the creator to come forth in YOU!