Art is for all. And anyone can use art.

So often we freeze up in the creative process. Even as I write this post, I question whether my writing is creative, engaging, or high quality. But I’m able to get out of my own way when I remember that you’re here because you want to be empowered.

Let me empower you.

As Richard said on our Hearts Need Art podcast episode, “We are created to create.” If you are a living, breathing human being, you can create something. You just need to find your medium. It may be musical, visual, performance, writing, you may just be a real rockstar at playing water glasses, but you have something in you that can create. (Sidenote: there is a very incriminating video of me on the internet somewhere playing water glasses – do NOT try to find it).

What’s wonderful about your ability is that you can also use it for good. Like a superhero.

See, once YOU become empowered, you get to do the empowering. You can come alongside others who have forgotten how – or maybe they’re afraid they can’t – create. You can be the Willy Wonka that leads them to a world of “pure imagination”. Sorry, I know there’s a lot of cheesy quotes but great minds “borrow” and all that.

There are so many people facing isolation out there and you can bring wellness and healing – the scope of which you may never fully understand – to them with your creative powers.

Were you one of those pandemic shut-ins who suddenly became masterful at painting or pottery or origami? Pack your things, take it to an older relative, and persuade them (nicely) to do it with you. Can you decorate cupcakes like a YouTuber? Why not make cupcakes at your local women’s shelter? Love museums? Bring a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Play an instrument in public. Start a drama group at your local library. Write poetry with kids in foster care. Teach your grandmother how to take pictures with her new smart phone. You get the picture (haha).

I guarantee there is someone or a group of someones not very far away from you that needs you to find your thing and then share it. Emphasis on need.

You may have stage fright. You may feel unqualified. Feelings are fine. But do it anyway.

My husband and I occasionally gig together (he’s a cellist, I rock the clarinet). My favorite part of our set is when we play our wedding song – Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” – and talk about how we met and eventually stopped hating each other and fell in love. It is extremely fun to share this story, particularly with older adults who often have their own love stories to share. And then we figure out we’re all living just a few variations of the same story and it just makes us all feel a little less alone.

So yeah, you get the good stuff too.

Now stop reading this, prepare (or find) your creative medium, and go share it with someone.