When I was four, I could draw as well as Raphael. It has taken me my whole life to learn to draw like a child.

-Picasso

 

Here’s an additional New Year’s Resolution for you: a re-connection with that barely containable, creative curiosity you had as a child. In those days, there was this fluid state of being, an enjoyment of the moment and the process in which you were engaged. It was almost as if you existed largely in a state of wonderment because you were free of self-consciousness or the drive to achieve or be at all times, realistic.

“The desire of adults to be realistic above all else, distances them from the valuable playfulness of childhood. They lose that freshness of vision, and the openness and gullibility that first took place in childhood and was such an important aspect of their creativity.” (HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HUNCH? The Importance of Creative Thinking)

Explore, Discover and Try

There are adults who continue to create universes throughout their lives. Certainly, Walt Disney is an example of that with his characters such as Donald Duck, Goofy and Minnie Mouse. Millions of people continue to experience the magic of his kingdoms – whether in theatrical performances, music, movies, television or on the web – and in his theme parks. Adults such as Disney, have the ability to combine an adult perspective with a child-like vision. They nurture their imaginations, take creative chances and have fun while doing so. Why not give yourself time in the New Year to reconnect again with the child you once were? It was a time punctuated by your desire to explore, to discover things and try them out, to attempt to do things differently while playing with friends or dreaming on your own.

I also wish you a 2019 filled with many whatifs and whynots and let’s-try-it-outs. May you trust your own active imaginations enough to explore further what resides within each of you. May your journeys be intriguing and open-ended. Anything can happen as well as unexpected discoveries…

Perhaps you will discover that you are called to be an artist. Then take the destiny upon yourself, and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking yourself what reward might come from outside. For the creator must be a world for himself and must find everything in himself, and in Nature.

Rainer Maria Rilke,

Austrian poet

Find Everything in Yourself

And may you have fun on your creative journeys. A couple of years ago, I had great fun playing with friends – the very talented musicians, Maryanne Kremer-Ames and Allen Ames of LYRA.  At CHANGING HANDS BOOK STORE, we re-entered our childhoods as we performed excerpts from my book, THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE

And learn more about Maryanne and Allen’s huge musical contribution from my interview of them which you will find in my book, CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CREATIVITY and here on my website.

 

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND CREATIVE NEW YEAR!