Respect What Comes

Why is it so hard to respect and welcome what we create?
 
Whilst doom scrolling on Instagram this week, I came across a fabulous little clip of 25 small people (ages about 6 years), sitting in a large circle in a leafy wood. They all had drawing boards and crayons and were all completely engrossed. Each child utterly lost in what they were doing, blissfully transported into a moment of pure creativity. No chatter, no commentary, no irritation and no calls to be somewhere else, just a sense of calm reigned. I had no idea what their project or task was, it almost didn’t matter. What moved my heart was the sight of these tiny humans focused intently, with every fibre of their being. 
 
I watch my grandchildren doing it too. They seem to literally dive into a place of creative contentment, so effortlessly and stay there, as if in a healing trance. Have you ever stopped to observe a child painting and have felt yourself quietly smile as you watch the cutest picture appears. Then later you return and see that it’s been reworked into a muddy puddle and you struggle to hide your disappointment, but the child has already moved on to play somewhere else. Children generally welcome whatever they make, without judgement, angst or an agenda. It doesn’t seem to be about the end product so much as the making-process itself.
 
I’m back from a month in Bali and I’m looking at what I created. Some of it feels like me and some have taken me by surprise. I’ve looked and thought, ‘who did that?’ and ‘where did that come from?’. I have even pondered why my work/style has swung away in a new direction and I’ve wondered, ‘who’s in charge here?’ (lol).
 
The truth is that our souls have an inner knowing that longs to be allowed to express itself freely. Our job is to give it the space and kindness to come forth and bound into being (or creep slowly), whatever. 
 
The muddy-puddle painting may not get selected for a position on the fridge door, but what it brought it into being may have involved a priceless creative process. 
 
Pretty art isn’t the goal, it’s the doing that truly matters. 
 
Love Jane

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