Creativity + Compassion = Happiness

The kids are napping, and I should be doing a multitude of other things (cleaning, reading, uploading the 250 pics from my camera...) but I have had so many thoughts running in my head the past few days I needed to get them out.  And reading Katy's post about New Year's resolutions only made the urge worse...

The New Year is always a time of reflection, but seeing as I spent the past week incredibly sick, I've had a lot of thinking time lately.  

When I get in such a mood, I am always impressed how connected we all are - to each other, to the earth, to the universe.  Every deep thought, every good thought, is always connected to something else deep and profound, and it continues in one big circle until my head is spinning.

I'm not making much sense, so I will backtrack: I read my yearly horoscope on Yahoo a few days ago, and I was struck by how GOOD it was.  I really hope I can pull this off:

Year 2009 Overview
As a Gemini, you possess an amazing ability to see dualities -- the pros and cons of situations as change approaches -- and to quickly and efficiently think them through before making any decisions. In 2009, you dare to look deeply into your desires, regenerate self-awareness and recognize psychological ambiguities. This will bring balance into your home and family life. Pay attention to the details as you bring your inner and outer life into harmony. And be sure to enjoy the changes occurring within you!

As you come to terms with yourself, you are able to see a more fulfilling purpose in life, and your field of experience broadens. Focus on matters that affect you most deeply and, like magic, your life will become easier and things will seem to take care of themselves. You have all the necessary resources and motivation to make tangible changes and achieve results this year.

Toward the end of the year, you'll have time to enjoy yourself, and to bask in a great sense of accomplishment. With the expansive and idealistic energy flowing throughout 2009, Gemini is very comfortable in this age of new awareness and high-mindedness.

Pretty awesome predictions, eh?  I am hoping that as I strive for the above, the "magic" will happen and my horoscope will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  And if that weren't enough, here's my "Career" Horoscope:

Year 2009 Career
You can barely keep up with all the new ideas coming to you this year. The challenge will be deciding which opportunities to pursue. Going with the flow will help you remain clear. As you seize opportunities with an attitude of fun and excitement, doors opening will be contingent upon how you synthesize data through symbols and techniques from different cultures, and from your dreams.

These new awakenings will help you advance tremendously in your career as you become more philosophical about life, and are spontaneous about sharing your insights. Traveling helps you understand other belief systems in the world, as well as inspires you to expand your business ventures.

As a Gemini, you're able to analyze situations and successfully work with the challenges that present themselves, and you easily detach yourself from supposed obstacles. In 2009, you're likely to move easily from one success to another.

I think what struck me most of all was that my horoscopes really touched on the things that are most important to me - a rare feat, considering I place little stock in horoscopes on the whole.  I had not planned on making any resolutions, but reading the above has started my wheels turning as I plot just how I am going to obtain all the success that I am supposedly destined to have this year.  And not just success, but BALANCE, what is above all the thing I most deeply yearn for.

So, as I am pondering all these deep and meaningful things, it's also been a hard week with the kids - I've been sick and impatient and with a 5 year old who thinks he doesn't have to listen to anyone these days, my wrath has been swift, unfortunately.  When I get in these moods, I start thinking it's time to slow down and spend more quality time with the kiddos, and do some creative projects.  So I pulled out my "the creative family" book that I dearly love for some ideas (check out my link to the author's blog: soulemama) and have been reading that lately.  (This does tie in , just keep reading...)

On top of THAT we had a wonderful lesson at church today about creativity and compassion. It was discussing a talk that one of the church leaders gave in the last LDS General Conference.  It was entitled, "Happiness, our Heritage" and basically discussed how as children of a Heavenly Father, we are entitled by our heritage to have the happiness of God.  It's too long to put all here (here is the full talk if you are interested in some great reading)  but essentially the talk pointed out that God is happy and does what He does because of two qualities: creation and compassion.  The author says "Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate." He goes on to talk about how we are all creative, no matter whether we think we are "artistic" or not, and we can all create something that did not exist before.  Equally important is being compassionate and using our gifts to bless the lives of others.

In light of everything else I had been reading, that struck such a chord with me.  Everyone talks about how serving others can help us feel better, but it's not often that people pair that with creativity (which as any crafter knows, can ALSO make us feel better).  Creativity + compassion = happiness.

To wrap up a very long post, it was like a light went on when I heard this.  It tied into my horoscope too (ha!) - creative and compassion are two things that affect me deeply ("Focus on matters that affect you most deeply and, like magic, your life will become easier and things will seem to take care of themselves") and I really think this new formula will be the key to achieving the balance I want this year, and will be the cornerstone of my New Year's Resolutions.

Thank for bearing with me as I waxed philosophical - Pumpkin is awake now and asking me something about bagpipe music (?!) so it's back to real life for the moment... :)  But Happy New Year to all - may you all find creativity, compassion and balance in 2009.