How do you nurture the creative force within yourself?
This is a question I have been asking myself lately. I often catch myself admiring the creative juices in others and the expressions of creativity they bring to life. Then, I think to myself, Why not me?
Surely, there’s still an ounce of creativity somewhere in there. To find it, I have to jog my memory and track back the years to my childhood. My creativity hides somewhere in there.
As a little girl, I spent countless hours locked up in my room, engaging in the one thing that brought my soul to life. I didn’t know it then, but this one thing was my creative expression. It was what made me tick. My one thing added sparkles to my eyes, and it lit me up to the point where the world ceased to exist.
And most important of all: It was where I did not feel fear.
What was my one creative outlet? Bollywood dancing.
I loved Bollywood dancing. I remember stealing my mother’s dupattas (i.e., scarfs) and saris and dressing up. I made a mess of her vanity and smeared lipstick all over my face while I danced away with Hindi music blasting in the background.
It wasn’t long before my dancing became infectious and I was asked to perform at weddings. The vibes between the audience and me were magnetic when I was on the dance floor. Initially I danced solo, but later, a handful of my girlfriends joined me.
What surprised me most was how bold and safe I felt in that space. I was normally a painfully shy girl and teenager, yet, on the dance floor, I was completely okay with leading a group of friends through a choreographed sequence of Bollywood dancing. It soon became clear that they loved it, too. Sharing my creativity felt good.
Eventually, I grew up and stopped dancing. I remember when I turned 26 I told my father I was going to quit dancing. I said I was too old to dance in front of a hall full of people. He was my No.1 fan and became upset. At the time, I didn’t understand.
Let’s face it: I am not a professional dancer. I got to a point where I felt that I needed to stop performing, especially after I became a mother. I felt it was unbecoming of me.
In retrospect, I can see that I was abiding by arbitrary social rules that someone else made up. I didn’t know then what I know now: YOU get to make your own rules, period.
Fortunately, after some painful times in my life, I gathered up my lost self and returned to dancing. But now, I keep it on the low down like I did when I was a child, behind closed doors. Back then, Bollywood dancing was effortless for me and it felt so natural. Now, I hesitate and resist my creative expression.
I wish these feelings of fear and vulnerability would just disappear, but that wouldn’t make for an interesting life now would it?
I know I need to step out of my comfort zone to reunite with the creative forces within me and I am determined to do so. Creativity adds colour to what is otherwise a stark slate filled with black and white formulas.
It seems that during times of pain and sorrow, our souls search deeper for connections. To get through the difficult parts of the journey, it’s helpful to reunite with a piece of yourself that makes you tick.
The secret to reconnecting with your creative spark is to invite it back in, play with it, tease it, indulge in it, let it linger.
Your creative spark is very wise. If you open yourself to it, it will show you the way.
P.S. And for all you Bollywood lovers out there, stay tuned for something fun and exciting that I am creating just for you. I have realized that I need to step out of my comfort zone and return to my sparks. Spice up life!
Do you take time to express your own creativity? If creativity is missing in your life, I encourage you to invite it back into your life. Take a painting class; write poetry; try voice lessons. Do whatever activity lights you up.
I’d love to hear your creativity stories, especially ones from your childhood! Share your experiences in the comments below, or click here to start a thread on my Facebook Page.
