Opening The Creative In Me

My need for structure, exactness and practical thinking can close the door on my creativity. The fear of being "incorrect" in a subjective world can hinder my artistic nature.

As a child of a logical minded Electro Optics Engineer, my early developmental years were a world where exactness in thinking did not include a creative, artistic, open learning environment. "Think logically", was a common phrase used whenever there was a problem solving issue waiting for an answer. Yes, the arts were a part of our family life as long as they followed existing protocols. Music was performed exactly as it was written, pictures were drawn with exact perspective and recipes were followed without changes. No "coloring outside the lines".

As an adult, my creative self was screaming to come out into the open. Every step has been painfully difficult in letting myself create without being hindered by my logic. Without realizing it, I began small by creatively changing family recipes to add flavors and textures that I loved. It felt almost sacrilegious at first, as if I was trampling on sacred ground.

Slowly, I was able to take baby steps in thinking outside the box, although keeping one foot on the line just to be safe. For example, I can doodle as long as the doodle is balanced with all the circles complete and the geometric shapes even. Once while doodling, my husband asked me to leave a circle incomplete and it was painfully difficult to do. That realization prompted this introspection of my creativity.

In contemplating my 10 year career in marketing, I realized that this logical, exact thinking when mixed with my creative talent is the perfect combination. Both are required in developing, designing and implementing a marketing plan, as well as leading a creative team to success in this highly competitive industry.

There are still times when I desire a complete openness to my creativity. Moving forward, I accept the challenge to give an unencumbered voice to my creativity, to break down the rigid walls of predetermined parameters that don't allow my complete self to be expressed, to stop the fear of others' judgment and to feel the air of complete creative freedom. But, keeping my analytical thinking is also an asset to which I have learned is just as important in completing the circle of my whole self.

For The Love of DOGS

Remembering the day I brought home my first new puppy still warms my heart. As a 5 year old child, the simple joy that Collie/Beagle brought into my life is still imprinted on my soul, even though the details are a bit fuzzy after so many years. So began my passion for these four legged creatures.

Why? If you have to ask you probably will never understand why dog lovers are head over heals for their pets. The unconditional love of our "Rovers" and the comfort they bring far outweighs the messes, the barking, the licking, and the constant vacuuming required.

After losing my beloved Golden Retriever, Nikki who I raised with my children, I thought my heart could never take another loss. I proclaimed that she would be my last dog. Three years past from that tragic day, when my husband announced to me me that we had to get a dog. I was a little bewildered since I thought the topic was closed. He explained that he had suffered enough embarrassment at my greeting and petting and hugging dogs before friends, neighbors or anyone walking down the street. He had watched me talk to dogs in cars next to ours at stoplights or simply driving down the highway. "It is time", he announced, "to give you what your soul longs for."

That next Christmas Eve Jade, a beautiful chocolate Lab, entered our lives. I was elated. A year later, our son's black lab, Alley, joined our family. Then, not feeling complete, Raz, a handsome Golden Retriever/Lab pup came home with our daughter.

It runs in the family! I believe this unique passion is passed from mother to child as I see my children yearn for this companionship. Our daughter and son-in-law just adopted the cutest beagle, our first grand-puppy.

They make me laugh, they listen to me cry, they lick my tears, they encourage me to play, they comfort me when I'm down, and they soothe my soul. How? The only explanation I have is that God loves us and has given us each a way to live life fully. The companionship of an animal is, I believe, a heavenly gift of which I am eternally grateful.