thanksgiving and creativity
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We are given an opportunity to reflect and remember all of the good things in our lives for which we should be grateful. It gives us a reason to refocus on what’s most important and to take stock of the positive in our lives, such as friends, family, health, and whatever good fortune we have. And, it causes us to look beyond ourselves and see the greater good.
Did You Know?
Practicing gratitude boosts creativity.
In a study by Kim Cameron at the University of Michigan, a leading scholar on leadership and positive psychology, she found that workplaces that encouraged more positive practices, like showing gratitude and appreciation, improved not just happiness and productivity, but also creative thinking.
It is no wonder that gratitude positively influences creativity. It reduces stress, anxiety and depression, and helps us to be more open. According to Deepak Chopra, “Gratitude opens the door to … the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe.” He also says, “The best use of imagination is creativity. The worst use of imagination is anxiety.”
So, I think it’s safe to say, that Thanksgiving has the power to kick our gratitude into high gear, thus, sparking more creativity. Are you with me?
To kick off the gratitude train, I thought I'd take a moment and let you know some of the things for which I'm most grateful:
My Family. I'm grateful for my husband and son, cat and dog, and extended family. They are all so supportive of everything I do and all that I take on. Having their love and support along the way means everything.
My Mom. I know this seems rather repetitive, but I'm especially grateful for my mom. As an only child (and she, as well), we've always been very close. This year was especially hard for her, and I'm so grateful that she got through it and is starting to see things turn for the better. Her presence in my life has greater meaning and significance with every passing year, and I'm so thankful that we have each other.
My Career. Blessed may sound trite, but that is absolutely how I feel. The fact that I can spend my days being creative…painting…writing…creating in general…is a true gift. Sometimes it is difficult…but more often than not, it is a joy and I wake up every day looking forward to what lies ahead.
You. Yes, that is right. YOU. Because of you and your support, #3 is possible. I appreciate you and your interest in my work. I look forward to continuing creating the things you love.
My Health. Health is undeniably one of the most important things one can have and I'm so thankful that all of my parts are in good working order.
now it's your turn
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Amp up your own gratitude practice. Start a gratitude journal where each day, you take a quick moment to reflect and write down what you're grateful for. It may feel forced in the beginning. It may even feel repetitive and difficult to come up with new things, but the more you do it, the more natural it will become.
I'd love for you to drop me a line and let me know what you are grateful for. Or, even better, head to Facebook to share there. I look forward to hearing from you!
With gratitude,
