Day 26: Project 1 ~ Slow Down & See

For the last 6 days of our 31 Days of Playing with the Arts series we are publishing a different project each day.

Each of these projects will help you get started in one particular art or will help you to generally engage in the creative process. The posts will be short, because we want you to take more action than we want you to spend time reading.

When you have completed a project snap a picture if you want and share it on Twitter or Instagram with the tag @expandingwisdom That way we can all be inspired by and respond to each other’s art.

“It is in nature, among the things which God has created, designed and brought forth himself, that we are in the most natural atmosphere to be inspired. Creative ideas are apt to flow in the midst of the creativity expressed in God’s creation, as one is temporarily separated from the confusion of conflicting voices which would separate us from the simple basic realities of what ‘is’ -and this is especially true today, when so much of what man builds, paints and writes, not only has no place for God but has no place for nature or man either.” – Edith Schaeffer, Hidden Art

Project:

Today’s project is more oriented toward the general creative process. It is about releasing the stresses of the day and getting our selves into a creative state of mind.

Go outside and begin to experience the space you are in. Take some slow deep breaths in and then out. Notice the sounds, smells, and sights. If you are close enough to touch a leaf, or a tree or any other natural thing, do so. Continue in this pattern until you feel a release of the stresses of the day, week, year, and so on.

Once you are in place of calm, look for something to rest your eyes on. It could be a tree, a landscape, a piece of bark, a rock, a stream, a cloud, anything really -preferably natural. Notice what it is, its color, its shape, its forms. Notice what it is and then thank God for creating it. Express your gratitude to Him for all He created.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Continue to thank God, thank Him for your life, and for all He has given you, for His son, and for the Holy Spirit.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

If you are in very hard time in life right now, maybe all you can say is “God I want to be thankful, help me.” Read Psalm 19 and pray that out to Him.

If you are doing this with your children everyone can pray out what they are grateful for and take turns reading any of these verses.

Remain as long as you wish. Release what is on your mind and heart, forgive, repent, release. More than anything else, it is these things that hinder the creative flow. Next, stay out in nature and watch as long as you all can.

“When you take time to watch simple things you mind can sort, rearrange, come up with new ideas, and create new solutions.” – Brenda Ellis, Artistic Pursuits 4-6 Book 2

When you are done give each other a hug and go on about your day. I would love to hear how it goes.

Expanding wisdom, extending grace,

Jen