Everyone who is creative has made time to play. It loosens up the brain and enables you to be open to new ideas. This includes playing around with paint or words or wood. Be open to what happens, and let what happens tell you what to do next.
In my art therapy classes, I'll put on some serene music while everyone paints. A favorite is "Serenity Suite" by Steven Halpern. It helps people calm down, center themselves, focus on their art, and drop into another mental state, into a flow, where all other thoughts and worries vanish. Some veterans say it's the first time all day that they have really felt calm.
It's not difficult to get started. Here's what I suggest for anyone who would like to pursue a creative outlet like painting or writing:
- Find an adult education class at your local high school. Many of them are on nights or weekends and are inexpensive.
- Take a class at a community or junior college. The tuition is usually low and you don't need to enroll in an entire program, just a class.
To get started without classes:
The important thing is to play and experiment. Over time, you may even find that there's a serious artist in you who's ready to reach further out.
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