Blocks to Creativity

I have been thinking about creativity a lot recently. It is something that I am passionate about. I believe that we can be most creative when we align ourselves with the Creator of the universe, Father God. I believe that everyone is creative, because we have been made in God’s image.

Why then do I hear so many people say that they aren’t creative, they can’t paint or draw, they can’t sing a note etc etc? In fact, by the time we are adults many of us have convinced ourselves and others that creative pursuits just don’t apply to us. There is no point on even starting, because what we produce just won’t be good enough. Somehow we have come to believe that the value in what we create is the end result. What we can show people. We are concerned about whether it will measure up to scratch, when in fact, we shouldn’t be measuring it up to anything.

The value in creating is not in the end result, but in the process of creating. The act of putting pen to paper, brush to canvas or lifting our viewfinder to our eye is where the true joy of creating lies. I have witnessed so many people experience release and healing through the mere act of creative expression. Being concerned about what the end result of our creative endeavours might be is the death of creativity and mars the experience. If we can learn to let go and just enjoy the process, we can start to step into our true creative identity. So the next time you get the urge to do something creative, just grab what ever tools you need and go for it!

About week ago, I woke up and looked out my window, only to find a dense fog. My daughter had to go to Forest School (which means 2 hours outdoors) and the temperature was -4 degrees celsius.  Not a good way for me to start my day. I stressed even before I had my requisite cup of coffee. I am from South Africa, I grew up in warm weather and sunshine. Winter meant a brollie and a fleece, in temperatures in the mid teens. I start to dread winter in the UK almost as soon as the summer starts. Waking up to -4 is not a good start for me. In fact, I could quite happily hibernate for 3 months every year.

A little while later, however, I dropped my daughter of in the forest and saw that it wasn’t merely fog that had greeted me, but a freezing fog, which means that as the water touch any surface, they freeze. So 30 minutes later, my son and I ventured out into the freezing weather. It was too beautiful not too! The area around our apartment had been transformed into a crystal palace. It was enchanting. While out in this icy scene, I had the thought, “Every season is beautiful in its own way”. I then realised how profound that thought was. My family are facing some pretty big challenges for 2013. It isn’t an easy season up ahead, but if we look closely enough, if we focus on the Source, I am sure we will find that even this season is beautiful in its own way.

Christmas isn’t always an easy time, for many reasons. So as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I pray you find beauty in the season you are experiencing and that you are blessed abundantly in 2013.

Picking blackberries

Yesterday, we noticed that the first of the season’s blackberries are ready to be picked. It happened so quickly, they were small and green one minute and now they are ready for harvesting.

The trouble with blackberries is that while they are abundant and produce tasty berries, they are covered in thorns and prickles. I think this is a fine example of creation mirroring truth. Often our best fruit comes with thorns. No person is immune to suffering in one form or the other. Life is full of hardships. Surprisingly, these times of hardship are often also our most fruitful. Maybe not at the time itself, when all we can do is hold on with everything we have, but when we look back we can see the blessings along they way. We can see how the experience has helped shape us into the people we are and has given us the skills/empathy or giftings that we needed.

I personally, don’t choose the thorny times, but when they come, I hope that I can take heart in the fact that they will be redeemed and blessings will come from a difficult time.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”     Romans 5 : 3-5

 ^“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”  Romans 8 : 18

New Life

I took this photograph this afternoon. I was visiting a cousin in hospital. 3 days ago her daughter was born and she became a first time mother. There is something uniquely precious about a new life. It truly is a miracle. The whole shebang: the child, the birth and what happens inside the heart of a parent when they see their child. Your world changes, your priorities change, your fears change and life takes on a whole new dimension. It is the best and most challenging experience and no one can prepare you for it.

God is amazing. I always leave these early days encounters (of other peoples children) with much joy and awe. I find it hard to express the words.

I used to be a physiotherapist. I am comfortable in hospitals and have worked in many. Today was the first day that I walked into one with my tripod (previously I only took a camera). It felt different, for the first time I felt like an outsider in an environment where I was in control. It was strange, but somehow, holding my camera and capturing those first few days when everything is so new, was more meaningful than being a member of staff. The hardest part was having to leave when visiting hour was over.

Morning Lesson

Sometimes being a full-time mum has its challenges. Being on constant call can be stressful. Wanting to take photographs while the light is doing exciting things on the sea, while you push your child repeatedly on a playground swing, can be excruciating to say the least. Yesterday, I proposed a family day out and took my camera and tripod as part of my current photographic project. Despite saying to myself that I must spend time with my family, I spent at least half an hour feeling miserable as the light slowly vanished from the waves. I found a gap and march grumpily to the beach with my tripod and camera. The next 15 minutes I took some of the worst images I have ever taken. Boring, flat, dull, uninspired. A bit like the beach I was standing on.

I took a breathe, changed focus, took a few shots of beach houses. Then decided to call it a day. Family must come first. As I was walking to the playground I saw this boat zoom in, I quickly took the shot. It was my favourite image of the day, mostly for its moodiness and the yellow colour of the boat injects just a bit of life into the shot.

I learnt a few things yesterday. Family is what is important, most important. Sometimes you have to just watch the beauty before you and thank God that you can experience something so lovely, even without a camera. Photography is more about headspace than completing a project. It is about recognising and revelling in the world around us. Grumpy people can’t be easily creative. Motherhood sometimes involves sacrifice. Yellow boats can pop out of nowhere and make your day!

The lighter side of Teddy Bears

My father-in-law is an avid Teddy Bear collector and has enlisted me to photograph is collection of bears. This is not exactly a serious artistic endevour with deep and meaningful images that move the viewer to contemplate life, the universe and everything. It is a lot of fun, though and a great way to enjoy photography from a different level.

In the process of taking these photographs, I have learnt a few “How to photograph Teddy Bear tips”

• Get into the character of your bear, let your imagination run riot a bit and give them a “life”.
• Make sure their eyes are free of fluff and can be seen
• Eye contact helps give them character
• Experiment with different formats, crops and viewpoints
• Eat or drink whatever food or drink you have photographed afterwards
• Have fun

Crown of Thorns

“and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him.” Matthew 27:29

I found the above old dry branch 5 years ago in the Cedarberg mountains. It’s beauty struck me and I picked it up and took it back to the cottage. I have kept it with me on my mantlepiece, always planning to photograph its stark and weathered lines. This week I finally did and no matter how I tried I just couldn’t shoot my usual close up macro shot. It didn’t work. The branch needed to be shown in its entirety. While I was photographing it the words “crown of thorns” came into my head.

Now when I look at it I am reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for us. The Message version of Isaiah 53 says:  ”But it was our sins that did it to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him – our sins! He took the punishment that made us whole, through his bruises we get healed.” I don’t often reflect on the unbelievable pain that he endured for us. The humiliation and shame that he faced. The Passion of the Christ burnt into my mind a picture of the crown of thrown being pushed down onto Jesus’ head, but only when I think about it.

What amazing loving and sacrifice that he should endure that all for me. Not only for my salvation, but also that I might be made whole.

Feel the reins in my hand.

Should I risk the path of service,

Release my needs to the will of an other?

Reach into festering humanity.

Give up my wine for daily bread?

He freely walked into hard-baked agony.

Knelt in the sewers of society.

Carried other’s burdens in torn flesh.

Bled into the cup of victory.

Will I trust His perfect sacrifice

and let Him change my life?

Hold My Hand

I took this photograph while out with my family and friends in one of my favourite places, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. I caught a moment when my daughter took comfort from her father’s presence. She was looking for acorns. The ground she was walking on was uneven and there were probably more strangers lurking around than she would have liked.

There is something about leaning into the Father. Holding his hand while the ground is uneven and possibly even shaky. There is a comfort in leaning into His presence even while we are actively engaged in something else. Knowing that He is right alongside us while we are busy looking for our own acorns. We are so often told to look at Jesus and this is so very valid. However, I find it hard to focus on more than one thing at the same time. It helps me to be aware of His presence, His guidance, His comfort and maybe even His voice while I am busy living the life that He has called me to live.

I know that he takes delight in my discoveries. I know that He is right beside me making sure I don’t slip or fall. Sometimes I can’t stare fully into his face, but I can stretch up and take His hand while I go about looking for acorns.

Dancing for Daddy

Last night my daughter climbed onto our bed and started randomly jumping/running/ stamping and waving her arms in the air (she is 2 years old). She had a huge grin on her face as she said, “Dancing for Daddy”. Daddy wasn’t even in the room, so I had to call him to come and appreciate his daughter delighting in his delight and love for her.

That must be what our Abba Father feels when we dance for him. I am sure He delights in this expression of worship from even the most unskilled of dancers. I come from a “gently charismatic” Anglican background and any form of dancing in church would lead to stares, frowns and possibly a request to restrain oneself. I am not actually sure what would happen as no-one has attempted this feat in my knowledge. Why when we are in the presence of the King do we worry so much about what other people might think. We become inhibited in a place where we should be our most free.

David danced before the Lord with wild abandon. We know that God approved of this selfless act of praise. When our bodies join in with our hearts and minds in celebrating the Lords goodness, the Holy Spirit sits up and takes notice and Jesus comes into the room to be present and to watch us delighting in Him. Perhaps dancing in church is to much for some (people and congregations). Maybe we could start in our homes (with the curtains drawn and the doors closed if need be). Turn up the worship music and “dance for Daddy”. Who knows where we may end up dancing…