How Creativity Unlocks Gratitude
The world needs your unique voice. When we create, we can become the best versions of ourselves.
What is gratitude? The dictionary definition is “a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you.”1
However, the definition should be expanded. Gratitude is not always an effect. It can be the cause, a deliberate choice, or an active state of mind. Instead of waiting for “good” things to happen, we have the power to shift our mindsets to the present.
Life is filled with dualities, two sides of the same coin. Without one, there is no other. Light and dark. Positive and negative. Growth and decay. Order and chaos.
It’s no secret that people wish for more good times than bad times. Yet, without challenges, we would never learn, adapt, and overcome. Who would we be if everything came so easily?
Amid trials, the last thing we want to do is exclaim, “Thanks for the difficulties! I’m thrilled to learn a lesson.” Often, we can’t even comprehend the growth until weeks, months, or years later.
During seasons of waiting, one of the best ways to uncover answers is to stay creative. Illustrate, paint, sing, dance, act, write, and make something out of nothing. Even if you’ve hit a metaphorical wall and don’t see an end in sight. I promise, there are plenty of doors waiting to be unlocked, but only you hold the key.
Taking the first step is hard. When you cross the threshold, it can be terrifying. Doubts may creep in, but no matter what, you must walk forward. Don’t look to the future. Don’t look to the past. Stay focused on the present.
Every day is unpredictable, but it’s important to remain consistent. Some weeks will be extremely productive! Others will be long, monotonous, and confusing. You might spiral, losing a sense of purpose and direction. (We’ve all done it.)
This is a reminder that thoughts and feelings are temporary. Opening up to close friends, family members, and therapists can be extremely healing. But, sometimes, it’s beneficial—and incredibly freeing—to look inside yourself, embracing quiet moments of introspection. Pen to paper. Brush to canvas. Fingers to strings. This exercise promotes intrapersonal and interpersonal advancement.
Facing the truth is not always comfortable, but truth leads to authenticity. And authenticity only enriches the creative journey.
Artists sacrifice time and energy to bring projects to life. When they release a new work, it sends ripples into the universe, making a profound impact. This simple act of creativity can be incredibly generous. Countless lives have been changed by books, movies, TV shows, songs, compositions, choreography, and the like.
When individuals appreciate our work, gratitude is a natural response. It can be harder to harness this “superpower” in the beginning stage when the finish line seems distant, but it’s always possible to alter our perspective. The opportunity to create is a gift, and we should never take it for granted.
The world needs your unique voice. When we create, we can become the best versions of ourselves. Present. Consistent. Introspective. Authentic. Generous. And, ultimately, GRATEFUL.
