In 2009 I decided to make a creative holiday for myself. I decided that I would pick April 20, because on that day in 2006 I wrote a dialogue with myself that no matter how I feel when I read it, inspires me again. This is my third annual celebration of this holiday, and the most subdued so far. I decided not to make a grand affair of it this year because of a lot of events that went on in my life within the past 11 months. An explanation of this day is as follows:


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DAY OF AWAKENING

What is the meaning of this day you ask? Well, the reason behind choosing this name for this day comes from the meaning of the word AWAKENING:

1. A revival of interest or attention.
2. A recognition, realization, or coming to awareness of something.

That is what happens when entering the world of creative thought. A sudden expansion into a previously unexplored world. An awakening of creative thought.

Today is entirely devoted to that endeavor. Unfortunately, that is easier spoken than actually reached. So, instead of spending all day trying to 'awaken' creativity, today is instead going to be devoted to trying to inspire creative thought.

All ideas no matter how crazy, bizarre, or 'trivial' are good ideas. Remember, there is no right way to inspire or awaken creativity, each person experiences it differently. So today just be prepared to keep your mind open and don't be afraid to give voice to your creativity in any way it comes.

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This year's day of awakening has been timid and more of a thought in my head than an actual event. Mostly because I am still unsure how to celebrate creativity amidst a world where I am still so utterly consumed by sadness. Oddly, today's Oprah happened to be about finding the inner you, standing up and saying "I am...". I am so ridiculously happy that today, my holiday, is the day she decided to do a show about doing what you love.

See a clip here

Tomorrow, after I have actually completed my Day of Awakening, I will post a little bit of my discoveries. Hopefully, despite the pain I feel in life I will learn to find a bit of happiness again.

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So I decided that my theme for my pictures this year would be simple. Instead of seeking out into the wide world for my creative inspiration, I decided to search my house and see why I filled it with the items that I did. Most importantly, I took pictures of things that help me view the world with a different perspective. They may be simple, but whether it be a cup of tea in my favorite cup, of the look of my cats paws while she is staring out the window, or a patchwork doll they all make me endeavor to find the story in each, find the stories buried within my mind.