create.

Hi, friends! Super grateful to the lovely hannah for suggesting I write a little bit about something I'm already very passionate about: ever since I was a kid I've always loved using the creative side of my brain. I remember having backyard experiments and adventures, but it wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I really have a passion for creativity.

My favorite way to use creativity is easily found through the arts; I'm an avid photographer, and enjoy trying to find unique ways to capture lovely moments and sweet personalities. There's something special about being able to stop time for just a moment and document it. Take this photo:

I photographed this shot at a wedding. At the moment I snapped this, this sweet little girl was admiring her obvious crush (the groom), as he adored his new bride. A few seconds after I caught that shot, I heard the little girl say to her father, "someday I'm going to make a boy love me that much." I just about melted, and when I discovered the photograph, it became one of my favorites.

Another way I love to use creativity is through music. 

Not a lot of people know that I play a few instruments and love to write music. Even fewer people know that I actually won a state competition for composing and singing a piano song (...ok, it was in elementary school, but it COUNTS people, ok?) Right now I'm going through a ukulele obsession thanks to Zee Avi. Ukulele is a little less intimidating than guitar to me (with two less strings to worry about), and I love the light hearted tone that escapes the strings. I've learned a few of her songs, a few ingrid michaelson classics, and I've even written one or two.

Isn't Zee friggin' cute?! Check her out if you like to be happy.

Right now amidst crazy moving, I'm super excited about creating a homey feeling in our TINY apartment that we're moving into in a week. I love using elements of creativity along with design techniques to make a home that is cute, comfy, and enjoyable to be in.

Ever found an old junky end table? Before you chuck it in the dumpster, consider throwing on a coat of fresh paint, some new artsy knobs, and a vase with some fresh flowers in it on top of it. Add a punch of color, some old and new, and before you know it, you've got "shabby chic" meets "country fresh", meets "I'm an artsy creator of adorableness".

And that's just a part of the bedroom- don't even get me started on the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. There are so many ways to invite cheerfulness into the place you live! I just love decorating my home. (... or I will when I finally get to move into it.) Ok. Moving on.

I'm also a huge fan of dancing, especially using choreography techniques to create pieces of art. For me, creating movement is especially unique because the art form that emerges is a living, breathing, four dimensional canvas. Dance requires the most courage of the art forms from me. Its so much more than skill and effort; emotion is so valuable, but too much of it can take away from the intent of the piece. Really- I believe any kind of choreography is ambitious; dancing is a delicate and difficult art form to learn, let alone to attempt to create.

Inspired words on creativity: "Everyone can create. You don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.... The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before-- colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter."

 I love these words, because they confirm what I've always known about creativity: it's not always things you'd win a talent show with; it can be literally anything. I've had a lot of friends say things like, "I'm not a creative person. I don't have an artsy bone in my body." Creativity has little to do with artsiness. In fact, you can't help but be creative. One way or another.

You can choose to use your actions to create happiness, or misery. It starts as little as that. You can choose to create a positive feeling in someone by giving a sincere compliment; by supporting and loving a friend, or you can create negativity, and pessimism by convincing yourself that you're not good enough. Everything we do is a creation; one way or another. Small creations like feelings can develop into greater and greater masterpieces that we have brought into existence. We've been given so much potential by the divine creator, and it is entirely up to us how we use the gift of creation that He has given us.

Long story short: anyone can create anything. 

Long story shorter: this life is so very beautiful.

Thanks again, Hannah.
You're so truly lovely.