By Ger O'Malley
When we are kids we rarely put restrictions on ourselves particularly when it comes to our imagination. Anything seems possible, and life and everything around us has more than a touch of magic about it. We play a lot, comfortable in our own non-judgmental world, creating scenarios that fully engage us in whatever our current activity is. New things are exciting and are there to be examined and embraced as we allow our imagination and inventiveness free reign. We are at our most creative when we are young, open and unafraid.
As we get older it's all too easy to get to the point where we allow life to just happen to us. We take our foot off the pedal, thinking we have no real control over where we find ourselves. We stop taking responsibility for our own reality, refusing to absorb new things, becoming entrenched in our views and retreating into a world that exists between parameters that are acceptable to our adult minds. It's hard to be truly content when we do that.
I'm not suggesting that we should all revert to childhood, at least not entirely, but it's good to be aware that that part of us exists, and that it's curious, inventive...and often unconditionally happy.
So why do we often forget or refuse to nurture that part of ourselves? What is it that makes it so easy for us to talk ourselves out of doing things that would allow more happiness into our reality? I can understand why people might say stuff like 'Life gets in the way' or 'I just don't have time for all that', and I concede that things can sometimes be hectic and complicated. From time to time we all get distracted, allowing responsibility and circumstances to engross and divert us. But even if we lose touch with, or forget our feelings of childhood wonder, there are steps we can take to kick start or reignite those sensations of fun and lightness.
One very good way of doing this is to indulge our artistic selves. Anyone can do this. Some people claim that they are not creative, but I would argue that that's not true. Creativity takes many forms, and we just need to identify whatever form best suits us.
For me it's usually about writing stories or songs, or even spending time pottering around the garden. I enjoy these activities and find them to be very meditative, slowing my internal chatter and calming any anxieties I might have. This in turn leads me to feel happier, more open and more joyful.
If you're struggling to find something that will satisfy your creative self then there are all sorts of things you can do to help with that. I can give you the example of The Artist's Way programmed which I've recently completed. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it is a book written by a woman called Julia Cameron and she describes it as a spiritual path to higher creativity. It demystifies the creative process and opens up opportunities for growth and renewal, offering tools to help rediscover your passions.
If I was to recommend one thing from it's 12 week challenge, it would be the morning pages. The three daily pages the book asks you to write are meant to be a flow of consciousness. You allow your thoughts to land on the page without thinking too much about them. As you progress the scattered nature of your subconscious tends to slow down and that makes it easier to access your creative self. I have found them to be very effective.
So, if you have not already done so, consider how you might reawaken you own inner child. Find a craft or an artistic pursuit that suits you, and if at all possible allow yourself the time and the space to nurture that part of you. You won't be sorry!
About Ger O'Malley - Ger was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, spending his working years with the Guinness brewery. He started as a trainee at the age of 16 and retired as a manager 40 years later. He moved with his partner and two cats to the west of the country, where he lives by the Atlantic ocean in County Clare. Ger has always embraced his artistic side, expressing it through his song writing, music playwriting and prose. One of his more recent projects is a podcast called 'I think I've met you(but also know I haven’t)' which explores the nature of reality. He is currently writing a YA novel and has just completed two children's books based around Irish mythology. He believes we are all creative beings and we have the opportunity to nurture our happiness by finding ways to satisfy the imaginative and innovative part of ourselves.
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