An artist
is someone who produces things that people don't need to have but that he - for
some reason - thinks it would be a good idea to give them...Andy Warhol
About two years ago I stumbled naively into the blogosphere like Alice going through the looking glass. I was searching for information about a sweater I was knitting and I came upon this site…so began a wonderful journey.
Many an hour has since been logged wandering through incredible sites on food, health, spirituality, yoga, green issues, art and crafting. I have found information, inspiration and even friendship.
As LifeStyle Revolution is growing (organically, of course) into its multi-dimensional personality, I realize that one area of importance has not yet been considered in its venn diagram: Creativity. And it happens to be one that is very near and dear to me.
Working creatively, whether by crafting, cooking, painting, writing or playing a musical instrument, can be a beautiful meditation—and also serves as exercise for the brain. (Did you know that knitting or playing a musical instrument is a great anti-Alzheimer strategy?)
The time is nigh for personal artistic expression to take center stage here at LifestyleRevolution, and I would love for my readers to get on board. Here’s my proposition…
I am participating in a Pay It Forward handworkers’ “exchange” (The “pay it forward” concept was introduced by Benjamin Franklin and it basically says, “instead of repaying a loan to a debtor, go forth and loan that same sum to another in need…” This idea has since morphed and found many incarnations, including a challenge set forth by Her Lady Oprah.) I jumped in to this particular exchange through PhilaCraft, my buddy Cristina’s site.
Here’s how it works:
“I will send a handmade gift to the first three people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days; that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is “Pay it Forward” by making the same promise on your blog.” (Or with your friends, coworkers, or whomever.)
So
there you have it. Eazy Peezy. Make something nice for three people and send
‘em off. You will make them happy and you will be even happier still. You can
bake a loaf of whole grain bread, write a poem, shoot a beautiful photograph,
knit a pair of socks or stitch a set of dinner napkins.
Take a few moments out of your busy life to reflect on the simple joy of creating and then double that joy by giving. Consider it a moving meditation.
Working creatively engages the head, the heart and the hands. The photos posted here show two projects my boys did this year at school. They are both students at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia where handwork is an important part of the curriculum.
In first grade the children learn to knit and in second grade they crochet. The projects get more complex as the years go on and (no wonder) become treasured mementoes. The hat was made by Ben in third grade and the socks were a major accomplishment for Sam in fifth.
Their amazing (and I mean amazing) handwork teacher hand-dyed the yarn (with dyes she herself brews--often with the assistance of the students). The colors are phenomenal with subtle variations in tone and texture.
So jump on in and make some beautiful things to send to some beautiful people and make their day beautiful!
Recent Comments