A Passion for Creating

Today I'm excited because you get to meet my good friend Patti. It's always so much fun when you introduce one friend to another, isn't it? Patti is the kind of blogging friend you wish you lived near, because if she were, you just know the two of you would share all kinds of bookish and creative adventures together. Among the many hats she wears Patti is a loving wife and mother, a passionately committed teacher, a fellow bookworm, a crafter in many mediums, a poet, a blogger, and a thoughtful, generous friend.

When Relyn asked me to be a guest blogger on her site, I was very honored, but I have to say a little nervous as well because to me, this was a Big Deal; I mean it's Relyn! When the dust had settled and I re-looked at her request to write about one of my passions, I knew I was in trouble. I am one of those people who don't have one passion they do really well, but rather many passions done at a so-so level, but highly valued and enjoyed nonetheless. I had a hard time trying to narrow down which passion to pursue; reading, writing, poetry, crafting,blogging, teaching, photography? I finally settled on writing about my passion to create.

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." ~ Mary Lou Cook

I have always had a passion for creating. Whether it was creating Barbie and Little Kiddle houses and surroundings and clothes, to cookie baking and decorating to book making, papercrafting, jewelry making, cross stitching, I have always felt the need to create. I believe this was my Dad's legacy to me. He always had some sort of crafting project going; and usually more than one at a time. He taught me that I would never be bored if I had my imagination. He also always said to do what I love and follow my creativity. And he was right. Through watching him, his downtime was always spent creating and that is what I strive to do in my own life.


I believe that for many of us, on a daily basis, our imagination lies hidden, untapped, undiscovered, uncoveted. We get caught up in our daily routines and can often forget about nourishing this imagination and our need to create. I know how, on a personal level, I can feel the difference in myself and my spirit if I go a few days without flexing my creativity. It's almost like exercise for some people- they start to miss it after they don't do it for awhile. Creating something, anything, helps to keep me grounded and focused. I love to see what arises out of the chaos of my many thoughts and ideas; how they develop and what shape they start to take. For me it's more about the process of creating rather than the end result. I am often surprised with the end result- with the poem that seemingly wrote itself, the photograph that had that extra quality to it, the lesson that the kids loved, or the papercrafts that end up being created and enjoyed by others; the fruits of my muses and my imagination.

Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things. ~ Denis Diderot

As we go through our days, the people we encounter and interact with, movies, books, nature, all have the potential to spark our imagination and creativity. We need to just relax and be open to the possibilities, friendships, whimsies, and joys that these encounters can bring. My life is fuller and more abundant from giving into and pursuing my passions; through the friends I have made, and the things I have done, to the opportunities and experiences that have occurred as a result. Whatever the spark, whatever the notion, use it as a starting point on your quest for creating and enjoying the passions in your own lives; and enjoy the journey it takes you on. You will always be surprised at the outcome!



Like many of us, Patti is an amateur photographer. You can find more of her images here. Patti's father made the book of poetry. And I bet he's the one who gifted Patti with her passion for poetry. He also made the clock. Like her father. Patti is passing along her passion for creativity to her daughter and her students. And now, to us. Aren't we lucky?