Just want to thank the gals over at Mormon Mommy Blogs for letting me guest post today!  🙂  A while back, MomBabe and I discussed further developing my creativity is a choice, 16 ways we create post.  Basically: beef it up with more references, examples, etc.  I really enjoyed further delving into the theory of creativity.   

So here it is:

Creativity is a Choice: 16 Ways Women Create

Unfortunately, it can too easy to say, “I’m not creative, I don’t sew, paint, decorate, or play the piano…” or “I wish I were more creative.”  Sure, there are ways that each of us could be more creative.   But today, I submit that creativity is a choice. 

I believe that our maker made each of us to create.  That one of our missions in this life is to create.  To make something new, to become something more.  No, we won’t create in the same way, nor will we create the same things.  Though, I believe that we all have the capacity to create, and that using and developing that capacity is, in fact, a choice.  A decision we each make, every single day.

Here are 16 ways that we can choose to create each day:

1. Happiness – Choose to create happiness in the lives of those around us and within ourselves.  Letting go of anything causing unhappiness.
2. Beauty – Choose to create beauty wherever we go, whatever we do.  One of my favorite quotes and mantras: “Marriage is a joint quest for the good, the beautiful, and the divine.” (James E. Faust, “Enriching Your Marriage,” Liahona, Apr 2007, 2-6). Create a beautiful outlook. 
3. Learning – Choose to create a life of learning.  Choose to create a place of learning in our homes…for our children as well as ourselves.  “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom,” (D&C 88:118).
4. A Home – Choose to create a home of safety and peace for those we love.  “organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish … a house of order, a house of God,” (D&C 88:119). Become a “Mother Who Knows” as Sister Beck has counseled (Julie B. Beck, “Mothers Who Know,” Liahona, Nov 2007, 76-78).
5. Satisfaction – Choose to create and foster satisfaction at work, at home, in every aspect of our life.  To be happy with less, and to choose grattitude for all we have been given.
6. Spiritual Growth – Choose to create spiritual growth within ourselves and find opportunities to teach our children.  Taking time to ponder and become more.   
7. Laughter – Choose to create laughter throughout our day, when times are difficult, when others need a lift.
8. Love – Choose to create love.  Choose to love and be loved.
9. Optimism – Choose to create optimism and shut out the negativity that can so easily creep into our lives.  Let there be hope.
10. Savings – Choose to create a debt-free life, a life of financial security, a life of saving.  Make personal financial goals as well as family goals to become and remain self reliant, to help others do the same. 
11. Faith – Choose to create a life of faith.  Believing in that which our heart testifies to be true.  Create strength with that faith and reach our potential spiritually, as mothers, and within our careers.
12. Joy – Choose to create joy everyday.  Set goals and have the determination to find that joy.  Take time to “search for the real and true”. (Ann Monson Dibb, Regional Conference, Sept 7 2008).
13. Peace – Choose to create peace.  Allow it to shut out the hate that causes so much pain, and publish it wherever you go (1 Ne. 13: 37).  Choose contentment.
14. Friendship – Choose to create friendship  Make time for those that we love and nourish true friendships. 
15. Health – Choose to create a healthy lifestyle for ourselves and for our families.  Be an example and strength to those around us that seek healthy lives as well (D&C 89).   
16. Miracles – Choose to create blessings and miracles within the lives of others: those that we love, those that we know, and those that we may not know but could surely use our friendsip, service and love.

It’s a long list.  It can be longer.  Does it help you see where you are creating every day?  We may not all craft, organize, or sing, but we all can choose to create.  Make a goal with me.  Let us choose another way we can be creative. 

Reread President Uchtdorf’s talk on women and creating.  It is truly empowering! 

Take a minute and remind yourself that you are creative.  That you can become more creative.  That you can choose to be creative.

Join me.  Choose to be a Divine Woman.  Choose to Create!