Practice: Creativity and Love

People tend to think that creativity is a solitary endeavor, yet artists often talk about having a muse and the joy they experience creating for their loved ones. In ancient China it was said that it takes two to create a masterpiece: an artist who imagines something beautiful and a person who appreciates it.

To do your part in creating a masterpiece:

• Share a drawing, painting, photograph, poem, or other work of art—an original piece or one you admire—with someone you love.
• Respond to a loved one's creativity by writing a letter or email of appreciation or calling them.

This practice was developed for the Fetzer Institute by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, directors of Spirituality & Practice.