Entry #4 Creativity and Spirituality

"Creativity comes through you, but not from you. Though it is with you it belongs not to you" 

Paraphrased by Kahlil Bibran, "On Children"

Have you ever created something and not known how you did it, just that you did? Some call this creative process their "god" or higher power. Others say it comes from within. I can only speak from my experience, but I believe my creativity stems from surrendering myself to the energy of the universe.

When I decided to change careers and teach dance fitness and yoga I was excited, happy and grateful. Mostly because I was doing something I dreamed about in my lonely, gray cubicle for years. After I took this step to teaching full-time, I heard time and time again how much students loved taking my class because of my creative choreography and style. I also found I had the ability to connect with each person in the room. I was humbled. I did not have an answer as to why I was able to do this, I just did. I was able to walk into a room and feel the energy of my students, surrendered to them and let the music guide me to teach. Sometimes I didn't even know what I had done, just that I had done it and people were smiling and felt better.

I began to explore this energy I felt and found the answers for me was in my spiritual connection to "the universe". Others may call this energy "God". I choose the word "universe" because I do not subscribe to an organized religion but feel there is something I am connected to that is bigger than just little ol' me (just look into the sky to see what I am talking about.) I found that when I allowed the energy to flow through me without controlling it, I was connected to my students so much more than if I tried to control it with ego. I can actually feel the difference on an energetic level.

I would never admit this to a colleague, so don't tell them I said so...I never plan my yoga

sequences for class....ever. I always wait until the majority of the students walk in, then let it happen. When I hear, "I love your classes and sequences", I humbly say, "thank you, but it is not me. I am just a facilitator in the process". Nothing comes from me.

I truly believe my purpose on this earth is to teach movement to people to help them feel better. In order to do this, I have to be open to the creative process and energy that is available to do this. I believe that if I was honored with this gift to help others and did not use it, the creativity and energy would leave. I believe I would feel empty. In addition, if I was conceited about where the gift came from it would not have the same impact it does not. I believe humility is the key to creativity.

Maybe you are stuck in the creative process now? What is your gift? How do you allow the creative process to flow through you? Do you believe creativity comes from you or from somewhere else? I invite you to explore these questions about the things you love to do.  Maybe you were meant to teach guitar to a shy person, or sing bedside at a hospice unit, or maybe paint with children affected by trauma. Whatever it is, I invite you to discover your gift and allow creativity to flow through you to excel to heights you never thought possible.