I admit it, I'm biased! In fact I may even be a little blinded by a belief that everyone is, by nature, a creative being and that this creativity improves our health and wellness and general sense of joy and fulfillment throughout life.
The National Center for Creative Aging and others tout the benefits of art, music, and acting on health and brain function. The National Endowments on the Arts and the National Council on Aging have joined forces to research and promote artistic "creative endeavors" in the second half of life. This is all wonderful and important but somehow misses the mark for most people!
Every time I get in to a discussion about creativity with a gerontology colleague the discussion does not get beyond "the arts". As if that is the only expression a person has for their innate creativity. There are senior dance and thespian groups popping up all over the world. Hooray! I love that there are orchestras and bands and , now, even art gallerias dedicated to the "creative" endeavours of people over 55. But what about the other 98 percent of us who choose or can't participate in these activities? Are we not creative, too? Hmmm! You tell me!
Here is a definition of "creativity" that I find both useful and hopeful at the same time: "Creativity is the ability or power to (intentionally) bring into existence, to invest with a new form, to produce through imaginative skill, to make or bring into existence something new." Where in there does it say that we must be "artistic" or "musical" to be creative?
Using this definition it would seem to be just as creative to plant and grow a garden as it is to dance on stage. It is just as healthy to participate in a program that improves the natural environment as it is to paint a wonderful landscape; and it also improves brain function just as much to read to or mentor a young person as it does to perform an improvisation musical piece.
Please think about this...it is very important. Your entire intentional life then becomes a creative expression. Unique to you! Your passion, imagination and sense of purpose lead to your creative source which in turn leads to something new and wonderful in the world. As far as health and wellness as concerned a new salad recipe can be a Picasso, an intentional hour spent with a child can be an Eric Clapton guitar solo, and fixing a broken water pipe in the basement can be the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
What is your creativity outlet? Have intention!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Spirituality and Purpose
One of the things that inevitably happens as we age is that we think more about those that came before us. Some people think this is due to a drive to be closer to their wisdom and to find meaning for our lives while others believe it is a natural process as we move closer to the end of our life. Whatever the reason, there are great spiritual opportunities, here!
This is a time to get more in touch with our spiritual nature. As our bodies change, it is only natural that we draw aspects of life that are more eternal. For some this means returning to earlier spiritual practices while for others, this new spiritual emphasis leads to seek other newer practices. Whatever your case, this wellspring of spiritual connection becomes a source of fulfillment and well-being. It also becomes part of our creative expression as we connect with friends, family and community in new, deeper and positive ways. It is and important part of expressing our true nature, authenticity and wisdom.
For me, this shows up in many ways but mostly in a drive to be more purposeful and intentional with my life. I sense that, for me, this is a true creative expression of my spiritual nature because what should be more spiritual than living my life connected to the Universe through my unique purpose.
We might all be more satisfied if we could answer the question each morning; "For who's sake am I living this day?"
This is a time to get more in touch with our spiritual nature. As our bodies change, it is only natural that we draw aspects of life that are more eternal. For some this means returning to earlier spiritual practices while for others, this new spiritual emphasis leads to seek other newer practices. Whatever your case, this wellspring of spiritual connection becomes a source of fulfillment and well-being. It also becomes part of our creative expression as we connect with friends, family and community in new, deeper and positive ways. It is and important part of expressing our true nature, authenticity and wisdom.
For me, this shows up in many ways but mostly in a drive to be more purposeful and intentional with my life. I sense that, for me, this is a true creative expression of my spiritual nature because what should be more spiritual than living my life connected to the Universe through my unique purpose.
We might all be more satisfied if we could answer the question each morning; "For who's sake am I living this day?"
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Grand Works Northwest Art Festival
Grand Works Northwest Art Festival is going to be an exciting full day of creative pursuits, investing in art and highlighting how creative activity supports the aging process. Guests will enjoy hands-on workshops, 50 artist booths, discussion groups, and live entertainment presented by honored elders.
This ground breaking event is being presented by The Geezer Gallery and Elders In Action. Amy Gorman, nationally known leader in the field of creativity and aging will be sharing her film (Still Kicking) with audiences. The event is also highlighted by representatives from many sectors of Portland including academia, culture and arts, media, and corporations.
What: Grand Works Northwest Art Festival
When: Saturday, May 22, 2010; 10 AM to 6PM
Where: Mark Building; 1119 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon (next to the Portland Art Museum)
There will be a nominal entrance fee.
All proceeds will go to The Geezer Gallery and Elders In Action.
For more information contact Brenda Morgan at Elders In Action, 503-595-7531.
This ground breaking event is being presented by The Geezer Gallery and Elders In Action. Amy Gorman, nationally known leader in the field of creativity and aging will be sharing her film (Still Kicking) with audiences. The event is also highlighted by representatives from many sectors of Portland including academia, culture and arts, media, and corporations.
What: Grand Works Northwest Art Festival
When: Saturday, May 22, 2010; 10 AM to 6PM
Where: Mark Building; 1119 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon (next to the Portland Art Museum)
There will be a nominal entrance fee.
All proceeds will go to The Geezer Gallery and Elders In Action.
For more information contact Brenda Morgan at Elders In Action, 503-595-7531.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Life Purpose as Antidote for Illness
Exerpt from The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon
By Joe Rojas-Burke, The Oregonian
March 11, 2010
Having a sense of purpose in life seems to provide a shield against illness – particularly in old age.
In an ongoing study of healthy aging by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, researchers used questionnaires to rate the sense of purpose in life among thousands of retirement-age women and men. Those with the highest sense of purpose were half as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with the lowest sense of purpose during seven years of follow-up, the researchers reported this month in Archives of General Psychiatry.
In an earlier study, the same group found that the risk of dying from any cause was nearly cut in half among women and men with a greater sense of purpose. Japanese researchers in a similar study found evidence of protection from heart attacks and strokes in middle-aged men.
The protective effect seems to work regardless of depression or disability. Patricia Boyle, lead author of the Rush University studies, and her colleagues speculate that the protection emerges as a result of participating in meaningful activities, staying focused on reaching goals and engaging with other people. These are habits worth cultivating, other studies have found.
Answering these 10 questions can give you a quick read on your sense of purpose in life.
How often do you feel this way? (1 = never, 2 = almost never, 3 = sometimes, 4 = fairly often, 5 = very often)
* I feel good when I think of what I've done in the past and what I hope to do in the future.
* I have a sense of direction and purpose in life.
* I enjoy making plans for the future and working them to a reality.
* I am an active person in carrying out the plans I set for myself.
* Some people wander aimlessly through life, but I am not one of them.
How often in the past month have you felt this way? (5 = never, 4 = almost never, 3 = sometimes, 2 = fairly often, 1 = very often)
* I live life one day at a time and don't really think about the future.
* I tend to focus on the present because the future nearly always brings me problems.
* My daily activities often seem trivial and unimportant to me.
* I used to set goals for myself, but that now seems like a waste of time.
* I sometimes feel as if I've done all there is to do in life.
Calculate your score by totaling your answers and dividing the sum by 10. Scoring 4.2 or greater puts you in the 90th percentile of long-lived and healthy high scorers in the Rush study. Scoring 3.1 or lower puts you in the 10th percentile of low scorers with greater risk of dementia and early death. The average is 3.7.
-- Joe Rojas-Burke
By Joe Rojas-Burke, The Oregonian
March 11, 2010
Having a sense of purpose in life seems to provide a shield against illness – particularly in old age.
In an ongoing study of healthy aging by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, researchers used questionnaires to rate the sense of purpose in life among thousands of retirement-age women and men. Those with the highest sense of purpose were half as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with the lowest sense of purpose during seven years of follow-up, the researchers reported this month in Archives of General Psychiatry.
In an earlier study, the same group found that the risk of dying from any cause was nearly cut in half among women and men with a greater sense of purpose. Japanese researchers in a similar study found evidence of protection from heart attacks and strokes in middle-aged men.
The protective effect seems to work regardless of depression or disability. Patricia Boyle, lead author of the Rush University studies, and her colleagues speculate that the protection emerges as a result of participating in meaningful activities, staying focused on reaching goals and engaging with other people. These are habits worth cultivating, other studies have found.
Answering these 10 questions can give you a quick read on your sense of purpose in life.
How often do you feel this way? (1 = never, 2 = almost never, 3 = sometimes, 4 = fairly often, 5 = very often)
* I feel good when I think of what I've done in the past and what I hope to do in the future.
* I have a sense of direction and purpose in life.
* I enjoy making plans for the future and working them to a reality.
* I am an active person in carrying out the plans I set for myself.
* Some people wander aimlessly through life, but I am not one of them.
How often in the past month have you felt this way? (5 = never, 4 = almost never, 3 = sometimes, 2 = fairly often, 1 = very often)
* I live life one day at a time and don't really think about the future.
* I tend to focus on the present because the future nearly always brings me problems.
* My daily activities often seem trivial and unimportant to me.
* I used to set goals for myself, but that now seems like a waste of time.
* I sometimes feel as if I've done all there is to do in life.
Calculate your score by totaling your answers and dividing the sum by 10. Scoring 4.2 or greater puts you in the 90th percentile of long-lived and healthy high scorers in the Rush study. Scoring 3.1 or lower puts you in the 10th percentile of low scorers with greater risk of dementia and early death. The average is 3.7.
-- Joe Rojas-Burke
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