Creative Creation

“Why do I love cooking and experimenting so much? Because the kitchen becomes my canvas. I have freedom to create and reap the fruit of my labors. There is something so invigorating in following your instincts and the knowledge you’ve gained to create a thing of beauty.”

I have a bad habit. I can’t make a recipe without tweaking the amounts or adding another ingredient. My knee-jerk reaction is “Oooo, this would be so good if I added X” (usually coconut due to a slight obsession) or “I bet if I added Y it would be even better.” My husband likes to call them my “experiments” and, like experiments, sometimes they yield awesome results and other times not so much. But I’ve found that even when they don’t turn out like I hoped, there is a still a sense of satisfaction in the very attempt (and that my husband still eats most dishes with relish). Why do I love cooking and experimenting so much? Because the kitchen becomes my canvas. I have freedom to create and reap the fruit of my labors. There is something so invigorating in following your instincts and knowledge to create a thing of beauty.

Inside each of us is the deep desire to have an impact on the world around us, to make our mark — to create. “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Happiness, Your Heritage). Why? I believe it is because each of us is a child of the Divine Creator. “The earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44). “By him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24). God created all things in the heavens and earth and, most especially, He created you and me. As such we have the same desire and ability to create as He does.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Happiness, Your Heritage)”. I love his expansive definition of creativity! So often our thoughts turn to tangible examples of creations such as painting, architecture, interior design, or baking. But what about creating by making a home a safe and happy place, increasing organization and efficiency in a business, encouraging confidence in a child who needs to feel successful, or building a relationship with a spouse or friend? These things also bring something new into being.

I’ve often felt insecure about the fact that I never felt like I had one true purpose. Some people seem to come into the world knowing they want to be a doctor or a vet. I am not one of those people. Many subjects and professions interest me, but none ever spoke to me loudly enough to feel like I’d found my calling. But over time and through counseling with loved ones, I discovered I do have a passion. Helping others feel valued and loved is what drives me. Coaxing a smile from a soul-weary friend, sparking relief in the eyes of someone wanting to be noticed, sharing an experience that helps a stranger know they’re not alone — these give me purpose. And they are a form of creation — the action or process of bringing something into existence (Oxford Dictionary). Laughter where there was longing, hope where there helplessness, gratitude where there was grief. Sometimes we need a different pair of lenses to see what our type of creation is. If you’re having trouble seeing what gifts you have, ask a trusted friend, loved one, or your Creator to share the ones they see in you.

Having a recipe fail is a dark day in our home. My poor husband gets to hear endless mutterings about, “I totally put too much of this in that” and “If only I had done this instead” or “I can’t believe I made that mistake, I know better.” But from my flops have come valuable lessons. I now always start with less cornstarch than I think I need to thicken a sauce, and I always taste a meal before adding more salt. Failure in creation is a powerful teacher — if we permit it to be. “Hopefully, each mistake we make becomes a lesson in wisdom, turning stumbling blocks into stepping-stones…. Consider failure as a tutor, not as a tragedy” (Lynn G. Robbins, Until Seventy Times Seven). If we allow it, our mistakes can teach us, give us opportunities to improve, and help us become empathetic with others who, like us, are struggling to create lives of meaning and beauty.

We are born to create. You are a child of the Divine Creator and He will guide you as you discover your ability to touch the world. Do not fear to explore your gifts. Remember that your talents may produce less tangible results, but they are equally as real and significant. As you create, you will find deeper joy, and the lives of those who know you will be blessed.

“But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy.4 Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Happiness, Your Heritage).

Invitation:

Take a few quiet moments to think about what type of creation brings you joy. What could you lose track of time doing? What activities leave you feeling rejuvenated? Pick one and plan at least 15 minutes this week to spend enjoying doing that thing.

Please share your thoughts or experience below. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash