Posted on September 01, 2010 by admin

Often times when I talk to adults about making or using art as a tool in therapy more often than not the response is, “There is no way I can do that. I’m not creative.” 

Perhaps I am an optimist, but I truly believe each and every one of us IS VERY creative. And when we are given the support, encouragement and opportunity to think creatively, we not only figure it out, but we THRIVE. 

In our busy lives there are times when it is almost impossible to attend to the activities or people that help fill our creative drive. So I began to think of ways creativity could easily be incorporated into all areas of our lives. What I found is that creativity does not necessarily mean picking up a paintbrush, but it can be more of an attitude, spirit, out of the box thinking, change, spontaneity or a decrease in rigidity. 

What better way to put this thinking to work than at our big summer family party? So instead of our usual gathering of talk, food and more talk and more food we decided that our goal at this year’s party was to create memories at an event that people would look back at and cherish. 

And so we recreated our version of the Summer Olympics. Somewhere in between appetizers and dinner, all guests that were able (ages 3 weeks to 85 years old were present), participated in a water balloon toss, egg walk and three legged race. Without getting into details… the deep, deep belly laughs and conversation that was stirred could be heard from a mile away and the pictures that we took captured the heart and soul of everyone who was celebrating with us. 

We had great, unexpected, messy, belly laughing fun. It was during these “events” that everyone at the party was connected, working as a team, problem solving, sharing ideas and strategizing. Their creative problem solving was literally at work….and it came to everyone with tremendous grace and ease. 

When was the last time you stepped out of your box and did something a little different? Do you remember how good it felt to shake up your routine and experience the excitement of creative possibility thinking? Do you remember the unexpected outcome of this experience? Usually something you could never have planned for or something that you will remember forever, right? 

It is these experiences that make us feel better about ourselves, bring us closer to people, connect us instantly to one another, make us feel more understood, less isolated and as a result more fulfilled. 

The Creativity Circle is a program that I created, with these concepts in mind, to support and encourage your girl’s personal growth and development. During the Creativity Circle, we carve out a comfortable space, for your girl to have enriching experiences with others, share, laugh, connect, share her story, hear other’s stories and creatively problem solve so she can feel better about herself, her relationships and the world around her. I invite you to read the details about this one of a kind group on my website. http://higherartnj.com/what-we-do/#girl

Elissa Bowes, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, a nationally board certified, registered Art Therapist, works with emotionally challenged, and at-risk children, adolescents, adults, and families and as a consultant to organizations throughout New Jersey. Request her FREE report, “Is Your Daughter Driving You NUTS? 10 Things You Must Know To Keep You From Losing Your Mind Or Pulling Out Your Hair In The Process” by visiting www.higherartnj.com .