Stacey Julian

Click here for the other blog post I have in response to the quote below.

In her blog, Stacey said: "When it comes to creative expression, we sometimes (quite often) get hung up on all that we aren’t doing or finishing or ultimately accomplishing. This is wholly unfortunate because generally speaking, it isn’t the end result that changes us. It is the very act of making time to pursue and practice creativity that matters. It is the process that will heal you and shape you and guide you in a more inspired path."

http://stacyjulian.com/sprinkles/

This quote was specific towards creativeness, but reminded me greatly of a talk by Elder Uchtdorf I read for my Young Women lesson recently. I love this talk! (Nov 2008 Ensign pgs 117-120)

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children.

You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.”

If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.

But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.

If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. 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.

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it. "

Need I say more? My heart is always lifted and gladdened by these words. Even though I do consider myself 'creative' it is a solemn reminder that my activities need not, and should not, be confined to tangible materials. As he says, "the bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or sheet of paper." I hope that I can focus more on the smiles I hope to share, the letters I write, the notes of encouragement, the skills I want to learn and the people I am around.

To Meredith: You didn't ask for encouragement, but with your words you have encouraged me and reminded me of this wonderful talk. Thank you.