The Oboe's Song

I came across this rendition of Gabriel’s Oboe. Yo Yo Ma plays the cello. Amazing. And I have always loved the oboe. It's like sweet laughter. Yesterday, I just closed my eyes and let the music fill the room. 

You may wish to do the same. Listen before you read the post. Just pause for four minutes and enjoy. 

This piece moves me. It reaches deep into the soul. I am amazed by their artistry. I am inspired to find my own expression of creativity.

There is something that happens when I allow for creativity to flow into my life. I never realized it until I was walking through the grief of my dad's death. He was a man who loved to create but was hindered by a disease. He loved photography. He loved to cook. He would start with a recipe and then become inspired to add his own touches. He loved to write and often wrote for local political campaigns.  

For those who know me, you know that I love photography, to cook with a variety of exotic spices, and to write. It wasn't until my dad's memorial service that I realized that he and I shared so many creative outlets. I never saw it before because I didn't give my life any margins to be creative.  I was too busy being productive. I also couldn’t see my dad beyond his disease of addiction. I only saw the struggle and not the man behind the disease. I struggled to see his creative heart. 

My dad gave me my first camera. He taught me to cook my first meal by his side at the stove when I was in kindergarten. I felt so proud when we delivered it to the table together. He loved to share his writings and help me with my grammar. He was such a stickler thanks to his high school English teacher, Mr.Killion. 

As I grieved the loss of my dad, I found that when I allowed myself time to explore my creative outlets I was more able to feel a connection not only to my dad, but also to myself and to God. The God I worship, I believe, is a Creator God. He loves to create. I see that every time I look at a sunset – A new canvas of color every evening. I don't need to know how all the molecules collided to make it happen. I can just stand and gaze and enjoy its beauty. 

When I take time to be creative, I believe I become more connected to the God who created me. Maybe it's because when we create, it comes from our uniqueness. It reminds us that we are not a face in the crowd, but we are a beautiful child of God created in His image. 

Gabriel's Oboe touched my heart in a way that it reminded me of my life's journey.  For me, the cello is life as I move through its ups and downs. Life in all its emotions. Life in all its complexity. The oboe is those places along the way that surprise me with joy and punctuate the cello's notes. I now know that they do come and often when I least expect it. And finding creative expression is one way I can help my life hear the oboe's song.

Creativity can come from so many places. 

Experimenting with a new recipe 

Trying a new spice

Planting a vegetable garden, rose garden, or herb garden

Picking up a camera 

Making something out of Legos, wood, play dough or fabric 

Writing a poem 

Knitting a scarf 

Playing the guitar, piano, or recorder

Painting with oils, crayons, watercolors, or finger paints 

Learning a new sport

Dancing

Singing

The list is endless.

My children remind me that creativity and using our imagination is how we grow, celebrate, and discover who we are meant to be. Today, I need to remember that I don't have to master it. Just try it and enjoy the process of discovery. What do you enjoy? Add a comment and add to the list. Let's discover together.