C R E A T I V I T Y

"The strictest limits are self-imposed*"

There was for a long time in my life, an abyss of emptiness.

I soon recognised this feeling to be the result of something that was lacking.

That thing came to be... Creativity.

As a child, I was not even slightly artistic. I tried hard, did a few paintings and such, but quite frankly, had difficulty drawing a straight line using a ruler!! I failed all my Art classes at High School.

However, I was very musically talented, and spent 4 years learning piano, and 4 years learning the flute. I also enjoyed some form of dance, firstly Classical Ballet, and eventually Jazz Ballet. A total of 8 years.

Unfortunately, I gave all that up only too easily once I became interested in marijuana and boys!! 

Then I got caught up in abusive relationships. When this happens, your Creativity, and your Inner Child with it, go on an extended vacation. You are too afraid to let them out for being ridiculed. 

The years went by, and I cannot remember a single creative project of any kind for any of that time. The Abyss grew deeper and deeper. Eventually I attempted to fill it with academic achievements - and sure, this was good for my personal development, and I actually did quite good at it, but it was not the kind of thing my Abyss was hungry for.

Eventually, I released myself from the bonds of abusive relationships... and in so doing, my Inner Child, and my desire for Creativity, slowly but surely began crawl out from the Abyss.

It started off with just little things - a couple of little figurines made from clay - a Scarab Beetle, and my own version of the Venus of Willendorf which I called "Earth Mother". I was actually quite surprised at the results, in fact I exceeded my usual expectations for achieving anything Creative. 

               
Scarab                                                    Earth Mother

From there I graduated to making Dream Catchers, in all I made around 6 of them. 

    
Dream Catcher

And then I made a couple of my own Magickal Tools. Once again, I was surprised and happy with my results.

Oak Wand

But then I dabbled with some drawing... and was not at all surprised with my results! Obviously I had not evolved that talent. But at least I had a go at it and I was glad that I tried. In my mind's eye, they look different to what is on the paper anyway.

Then I did something totally different. Through some unbeknownst desire, I bought myself a flute, and a "10 easy lessons" book and cd to re-teach myself... and the result was absolutely remarkable. 

Being musically minded, I also bought a couple of drums, so I could experiment with drum beats and drum trance etc. That was fun!! I wasn't particularly great at it, but I still enjoyed thrumming out a beat. It's good self therapy.

Writing is something else I've always enjoyed doing so I used my tax cheque and enrolled myself in a  correspondence course . I've now produced two short stories and two short articles for this, and have also since written a couple of other original works that are unrelated to the course. I'm only 1/5th of the way through the course, there's still quite a lot to go! It's harder than I thought it'd be, but nonetheless I am pleased to be challenging myself this way.

So, I finally had a creative outlet or two... but still I was not completely satisfied... the Abyss was still there, albeit I had managed to fill it in quite a lot. But I had to find something else... and that I did...

I discovered the art of BellyDance... and have not looked back since!! It is simply the most beautiful form of creative expression that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. 

It might not be dance, nor music, nor art; but everyone must have some creative "thing" that evokes a similar experience for them. If not, then I highly encourage you to discover your Creative "thing" and nurture it with all you have.

For myself, the dance has filled that Abyss nearly to the brim - which is quite sufficient, thankyou - and perhaps the Abyss should never be completely filled in - because, if it was full, I may not desire creativity at all. And I don't want to risk that! I'm a Pisces for goodness sake! I need a Creative outlet!

This story is the reason behind Creativity being an attribute that this Iseum is dedicated to.

Be Creative. Be Yourself.

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*Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen, Brian Herbert & Kevin J Anderson, 2000

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