Creativity, Memories, Trust & Inner Peace: Lifelines to Tranquility
- Dr. Joyce Brown
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Creativity & Memories
I achieve tranquility often when working on paper crafts. Pulling out old photos… only people of a certain age remember using their cameras…Nikes, Polaroids, even the point and click one-use cameras…to immortalize memories of special occasions.
The majority of those memories end up in dresser drawers or cabinets, still in envelopes or sleeves from whichever Walgreen’s or Osco’s that developed the pictures/memories after sharing them…before moving on to the next experience, anniversary, or celebration.
Examining the photos allows me to reflect on the experiences that have shaped almost eighty years of living. Those images are touchstones that remind me of growth, overcoming obstacles, excitement and disappointment.
So in the quietness of early mornings, I lay them out on my workstation and examine the faces, the scenery, even the photographic oops…allowing the memories to flow…allowing the lessons learned to reinvigorate my writings. These lessons learned and savored strengthen my confidence that changes can still happen when we exercise consistency and balance….and make corrections where necessary.
Then creativity fuels my tranquility…focusing on a piece of photography, aligning it with a background, adding texture to create a two or three dimensional picture that tells a story.
When I seek a quiet moment of escapism or contemplate an upcoming task, those images and colorful bits of paper— are part of my quiet tapestry … my tranquility. Tranquility is defined as a profound state of inner peace, serenity, and undisturbed trust in God.
Inner peace
The present political, public, and social discourse can lead one to physical and emotional distress. The television networks have all decided to politicize every action in America and around the world. No one reports what actually happened … which used to be a staple of the print, television, and radio media.
My classmates, friends, and I debated what we read or saw because we brought our own biases, experiences, and worldviews to the discussion session. Sometimes, we expand our thinking beyond our blind spots or apply new knowledge. We read books by new authors or by people we disagree with. The best outcomes, however, were robust examination of ideas, principles, and the resolve to strengthen this multi-racial and multicultural nation. I miss those discussions and the people who encouraged me to expand my worldview.
The current polarization of the world results from blind allegiance to strongmen’s opinions and narrow ideas of who matters and who must be minimized. Obviously, the world has set aside the lessons from the numerous wars and conflicts and the dehumanization of the past century. We don’t even have to go back to the Crusades or the Greco-Roman attempts to conquer the world to remember the rebuilding of humanity that has to occur after war and devastation.
The world and individuals have yet to learn the lessons of previous dictators, world wars, conflicts, and isolationist policies. Despite the sociopolitical world around us, I still strive for serenity by surrounding myself with beauty, whether that is art, music, or exemplary theatre. Things I can touch, experience with like-minded people, or internalize for my own soul.
My undisturbed trust in God comes from studying the Bible as it recounts the various conflicts, losses, and turmoils of God’s chosen people. The Bible points out their flaws, their poor decision-making, and the consequences, yet strongly affirms that God never leaves His children without a lifeline. That lifeline is available to all of us. Seek Him while he may still be found.
Joyce A. Brown is a motivational speaker and author who uses her creative energy to give voice and meaning to the challenges women face in all walks of life. She grew up in Rockford, Illinois in a household of strong women, but her professional career expanded her reach into Peoria and Battle Creek, Michigan. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and has served as a direct services worker, executive director, program director for a major foundation, and entrepreneur. Joyce has experienced many uplifting moments as a professional and as a dedicated parent and strives to bring those events and lessons to life through her characters in the contemporary fiction novels she pens. Visit her Author’s Page
Comments