Creative Commitment

“For better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health …”

Over the past weekend I heard these age-old vows repeated with new eagerness and longing at the wedding of some dear friends. Stunningly beautiful. These words echoed in my thoughts as I was reminded of my own life - not just my wedded life, but my creative life as well.

 

This past month I was sick for 15 straight days and even as I begin to feel somewhat like myself again, I am still very tired, much more than usual. What began as pajama day turned into pajama week. The prognosis is still out, but blood tests have indicated some potential suspects, none of them good. 

There were days when all I could do was crawl out of bed and head to my computer for a short work session, followed by a long rest. But I continued to work. I continued writing and more specifically editing a book manuscript that is my work-for-hire freelance job this summer. I am thankful for it. And I am thankful to have creative work to do - even when I am not at my best.

I think our creative lives are a bit like a marriage. Some days are good, some days are just ok, and some days, I’ll admit, are downright awful. It is a day-to-day life; one of striving to move forward, be it a crawl or a run. There are days of plenty and days when the fields lie fallow. There are lean times and meantimes. There are sunbursts of joy, rainstorms of sorrow.

But through it all, my commitment to living a creative life continues, and maybe even grows: My desire to create beauty around me, to paint word pictures of grace, to sing songs that speak deeply to the longings of every human heart. I believe that am better for it, and richer, and healthier in spirit. Let’s make art!

 

 

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