Art of Life/Donna Parker
What Healing Benefits Come from Creating Art?
Engaging in art is a moment in time when time itself seems to stand still. You become so intertwined with your concentration, flow, and self-expression, the other thoughts that can typically overpower your mood dissipate. For this reason, it is important to begin something new without the worry of a hard stopping point. Give yourself the gift of being in the present.
Here are eight ways in which art can heal you from the inside out.
- Self-Expression - In your busy life of work, household chores, children, and other responsibilities, you have very little time (if any) for true self-expression. Get back to giving yourself this gift. Self-expression gives you the space to process who you are during a particular time in your life and provides an opportunity for your soul to be heard.
- Releasing Judgment - This may take a little practice. Many people think they must create these amazing works of art that compare to what they have seen from professionals. How do you think they became professionals? Everyone started just where you are now. They too may have thought their craft was not worthy of others to see. So refrain from judging yourself in the process. Laugh at your mistakes, then remind yourself it may not have been a mistake at all. This lesson can be carried over into the rest of your life as well.
- Intuition/Third Eye - Your intuition can guide you in every way of life, if you allow it. Art is a safe and personal way to learn to live into your intuition versus merely following your thoughts. What stroke of the brush or dance move does your soul want? What thought stops or slows down that gut feeling? Your struggle through these combating feelings carry over into your job, relationships, and self-love. Take note of these challenges. Your intuition and happiness will grow stronger in this process
- Meditation - Maybe you have a rough time with the “standard” ways of meditation. Your brain just doesn't slow down enough for you to reap the benefits, or you don't even try because you feel as though you are just too hyper. Art may be the perfect form of meditation for you. The hands and brain are focused on a non-stressful activity just long enough to allow you to drift off into a meditative state. From here, other forms of meditation will become easier.
- Giving and Receiving - One of the laws of the universe, giving and receiving, is pivotal to healing, abundance, and manifesting the joys of life. Your art can be a gift to yourself and to others. Keeping the circle of both giving and receiving is the lesson. If you have a harder time giving, then create something and present it to a loved one. If you have a harder time receiving, give yourself permission to enjoy your art just for you. Accept it as a gift and cherish it.
- Acceptance - If you are not fully satisfied with your art, that's OK. Accept your journey. There is success in stepping outside of your comfort zone, so be proud! Accept that you can try again for your vision, or accept that you may need to once again try something different. Wherever you are, accept that you’re good enough just as you.
- Create Calmness - Often your home can feel like a to-do list. Let the chores stay where they are, round up the family, and create an art activity that will bring calmness to all of you. By engaging in such an activity, you create an environment marked by rest and creativity. It may surprise you how much more help you will receive to get done what needs to get done and even better... everyone is happier.
- Unity - There are so many races, religions, traditions, and cultures that love and embrace art. Art has the power to bring people together in meaningful ways. Bring a community together with an art project of your choice and heal the town. It might even create ripples felt across the globe.
Now that you have the basics, your mind is probably thinking of all sorts of ideas not mentioned here. Grab your notebook and write them down. After all, writing is an art form, too.
