Arts Bring Life to the Holidays

The arts—sound, color, dancing, and drama—are everywhere in December. In fact, their presence gives life to the holidays.

Our natural openness at this time of year allows the arts to move us in ways we may not experience at other times. They help us connect the physical things to deeper meaning and the overlapping tangled web of everyday life.

Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing?

~ Pablo Picasso

The arts don’t automatically create meaning, but they allow us to see the invisible layers of meaning in our everyday lives that are often hidden in our subconscious. Artists and performers do this every day, not just during the holidays. It’s part of the artistic process. They bring the invisible out into the open for all to see and feel at all times of year.

We’re so conditioned to be productive, constantly moving forward and achieving, that we don’t consider how we can all use the artistic process to create our lives as art.Take a moment to consider what might occur if you engaged in the artistic process of looking deeply within all year long—creating your life as a work of art—with the same receptiveness and openness of the holidays. More moments of openness and receptivity allow you to have greater awareness.

Artists renew and replenish their perception daily through their artistic work. That kind of commitment can help you see the world in ways other people don’t, and you may be amazed at what you discover.

True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.

~ Albert Einstein

How can you be more receptive and use arts awareness to create the life you desire?

What’s stopping you every day of the year from finding the natural openness that comes with the holidays?
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• It may be that you’re so attached to a certain way of looking at the world that you fail to see other options.
• Possibly you’re afraid to slow down—to look and listen—because you’re unsure about what you will discover.
• Maybe you’re trying too hard.
• It’s possible you aren’t allowing time to simply look and listen.
• You might be caught up in personal problems.
• You may have too many commitments and are unable to do anything well.

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Color in a picture is like enthusiasm in life.

~ Vincent Van Gogh

From cookies, paper, bows, and holiday lights to concerts and artistic masterpieces, color is everywhere. Whether or not life has pulled you into a rut at this moment, the sights and sounds of the holiday period give you a place to begin. They help you to feel and to grasp a sense of meaning that you can carry with you throughout the year. It begins a powerful path to greater awareness.

-Pat