Christy Writes: What is Your Art?

I was talking with a writer friend this week and she asked me whether I miss practicing my art. I was a little thrown off by the question, because I am still writing – granted, not as much as I used to, what with being a full-time grad student and all that but yeah, still writing over here.

But as I was thinking back over the conversation later, I realized that the reason her question took me so aback is that I consider everything I do to be art. Not in an everything-I-touch-turns-to-art kind of way (she said, modestly) but in a way that celebrates the beauty and art in everything around me.

This is probably true for all of us, if you think about it. Or it should be. When you do something and you want to do it well, that’s art. That’s you creating something beautiful. I don’t care if it’s a ten thousand dollar oil painting or you made your bed hotel-perfect… it’s art. Heck, I decided a few weeks ago that slumping around the house at night in my too-big thrift-store pajamas wasn’t adding anything to the world, so I put them back in the donate bin and bought myself a silky nightgown and matching robe. Just because not everyone can see it doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful.

I can’t even begin to count how many people have said to me over the years “I’m just not creative” and it bothers me to no end. If you’ve ever said that about yourself, I’m asking you right now to think again. You don’t have to wear a beret and stand in front of an easel. (Although if you do, that’s cool and I’m totally jealous.) Even when I’m studying, writing a research paper or taking notes in class, I consider it art. If you think of the things that occupy your day as art, I promise you’ll start finding a lot more meaning in what you do.

So here’s the million-dollar question: What is your art? If you’ve taken the time to read this, you have time to stop and ask this of yourself. Really think about it. What is your art? Gardening? Writing? Cleaning? Music? Dancing? Cooking? Dressing your kids? Smiling at people? If you do all things with love, and with the desire to create beauty and to send that beauty out into the world, everything you do is art.

A friend at seminary recently said that he thinks all art is a form of worship, and the more I think about that, the more I agree. It is a way to pause, to honor our gifts, to surrender to something bigger than ourselves and find a way to express our gratitude, often without words.

So no… I don’t miss practicing my art. I am practicing it. Every day, every hour, every moment.

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