I recently took time off work (and stopped watching World Cup non-stop) to give a keynote and lead a workshop at a church conference in Boston. I left feeling so full of gratitude.
There was something magical about the room. Teenagers. Octogenarians. Clergy. Artists. Curious beginners. Scholars.
Everyone gathered with open hearts to explore creativity together.
I arrived feeling a little intimidated.
There were so many brilliant scholars at the conference, and I wondered what I could add.
Then I remembered...I'm not there because I know the most about art or religion.
I'm there because I know what practicing creativity and compassion has done in my own life.
Creativity has taught me how to be present.
How to feel what's actually on my heart instead of running from it.
How to move through grief, joy, fear, hope, and uncertainty with a little more courage.
And because of that, it has helped me become more present with other people, too.
This was the focus of my keynote on how creative practice helps us to be present (from there to here), to hold what is unfolding in your heart and life with a friendly attitude, and as a pathway to connect with others.
One of my favorite moments of the evening happened during the Q&A.
Someone asked which artists throughout history had influenced me.
I laughed and shared a story instead of a traditional response.
Years ago, while designing a painting retreat in Italy, someone asked if I was excited to see the frescoes.
I smiled...then immediately Googled, "What's a fresco?"
True story.
I never studied art history. I don't have an MFA.
I'm someone who keeps showing up with a paintbrush and heart on sleeve.
I'm convinced that creativity isn't about what appears on the canvas. It is about what appears in our hearts.
It's about being present.
It's about opening your heart.
It's about expanding capacity to be with those around you.
And the beautiful thing is this:
Creativity is available to all of us.
The following day I got to lead a hands on workshop to help folks experience the practice of meeting your life with kind attention, while also playing with creative materials. What a joy.
Pictured: My painting "Wild Edge" printed on workbook and swag bag for conference participants, nametag with "Keynot Speaker" featured (yas!), participants in hands on workshop, doing what I most love--teaching about creativity and compassion.
