Using our creativity isn’t a luxury. It’s a responsibility.
I often feel that making time for my creative passions is a
luxury. A guilty pleasure to indulge in during that mythical moment “when I
have time.” But it’s completely the wrong way to look at it.
Of course, deep down I know this. It’s just hard to act accordingly. But I was reminded of it this week.
I was involved in organizing an arts and crafts fair last
week. It was part of a fundraising evening for special-needs youth. My job was
finding the artists to participate. Fortunately, I have a friend who is a
creative genius. Not only did she invent this game (I highly recommend it – there’s
a reason it’s an Amazon bestseller! And no, neither she or Amazon is paying me
to say this!) but she also organizes a huge fair each year for women
entrepreneurs. So she had a ready list of vendors to suggest.
It was such a treat to meet these special women and discover
their art, some forms of art that I’d never even thought of. One woman harvests
plants in the forest behind her home and uses them to make natural dyes. She
uses these to make dreamy silk scarves in gorgeous colors. Another woman sews
wallets, handbags – and the most amazing vendor’s apron. I may never take it
off.
Most of these women knew each other from previous fairs.
There was such a wonderful atmosphere of support and kindness among them. But
one of the things that really impressed me was the seriousness and respect they
gave to each other’s art and to their own.
It reminded me of something a mentor once said to me. If you’ve
been blessed with a talent, there’s a reason for it. It was given to you
because the world needs what you can use it for. Therefore, you have a responsibility
to use that talent to make the world a better place.
It doesn’t matter what that talent is. It could be fabric dyes,
or hand sewn wallets, or baking cookies with a kid in your kitchen, or finding a
creative way to bring some joy to someone who is suffering.
If that’s by writing stories with happy endings that leave
readers with a smile as they go about the rest of their day, that’s a
privilege.
Whatever it is – knitting, dancing, music, cooking, writing –
make time for your art and let your light shine into the world!
Milou Koenings is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes romance because, like chocolate, stories with a happy ending bring more joy into the world and so make it a better place.


Her other Green Pines sweet romances, I Love You Three, Reclaiming Home, The Kampala Peppermint Twist and Sweet Blizzard are available on Amazon, Amazon.uk, iBooks, Nook, Kobo and all your favorite e-book retailers.
Sign up for her newsletter, so you'll be first to know about new releases!
Hurray for artists everywhere, Milou! I'm a musician, and love all the arts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me that our artistic talents are both gifts and responsibilities. Besides writing, I love to play the piano and do crafts. They both take second place to my writing, but I need to make sure I find the time for them as well. Great post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful essay! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara!
DeleteI did arts and crafts projects with students with special needs. They loved doing them and their projects were so neat. It brought their creativity out.
ReplyDeletewhat a great thing to do, Magdalena! That's actually what the benefit was for - to provide art/drama/music/crafts/dance therapy for special-needs kids. It does wonders!
DeleteMilou, it is a joy to use one's creative ability whatever it is.
ReplyDeleteJust this: "If you’ve been blessed with a talent, there’s a reason for it. It was given to you because the world needs what you can use it for. Therefore, you have a responsibility to use that talent to make the world a better place." May I post this on FB, Milou? I love it.
ReplyDelete