Saturday night Lynne and I both simultaneously had the pleasure of leaving kids at home with dad, and going on a little outing. She on her side of the country, and I on mine. We each attended a televised broadcast of the Relief Society--a super cool women's organization (in fact the largest women's organization in the world)--that has for a purpose to strengthen women and families. One of the speeches was particularly moving to both of us: the title "Creation and Compassion". This is actually a subject that Lynne and I have spoken to each other about several times over the past few weeks. The idea is the power of creation: how each of us has an innate desire to create something that did not exist beforehand, to organize, to improve, to make something beautiful. (Even the five year old loves to create on her estate-sale sewing machine.) Our creation could be something as simple as a yummy apple crisp, or a little servant frock, or something as grand and miraculous as a new human life. We as women are creators--especially all of you crafty ladies out there! Somehow, when we create, we touch a little bit of the divine in all of us. So the next time your husband asks: "why do you spend so much time making things?" You can quickly respond: "I'm simply developing my divine side!"
9.30.2008
creation + compassion
Saturday night Lynne and I both simultaneously had the pleasure of leaving kids at home with dad, and going on a little outing. She on her side of the country, and I on mine. We each attended a televised broadcast of the Relief Society--a super cool women's organization (in fact the largest women's organization in the world)--that has for a purpose to strengthen women and families. One of the speeches was particularly moving to both of us: the title "Creation and Compassion". This is actually a subject that Lynne and I have spoken to each other about several times over the past few weeks. The idea is the power of creation: how each of us has an innate desire to create something that did not exist beforehand, to organize, to improve, to make something beautiful. (Even the five year old loves to create on her estate-sale sewing machine.) Our creation could be something as simple as a yummy apple crisp, or a little servant frock, or something as grand and miraculous as a new human life. We as women are creators--especially all of you crafty ladies out there! Somehow, when we create, we touch a little bit of the divine in all of us. So the next time your husband asks: "why do you spend so much time making things?" You can quickly respond: "I'm simply developing my divine side!"
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29 comments:
I particularly enjoyed that part of the meeti8ng as well.
I missed the conference, but I've already heard others talking about this particular talk. I'll be checking it out in the November Ensign!
And thank you for posting things like this on your blog. You both reach such a broad audience that I find it commendable when you publicly talk about the LDS church and our beliefs.
I loved that talk. I am eagerly awaiting the transcript. The whole conference just made me feel so good to be a woman.
I agree. Creating is so satisfying to the soul.
Melissa - so beautifully put! And look at what a natural little creator H is, at the machine.
i missed it as well, but my visiting teachers came yesterday and told me about that talk. must read.
(and somehow, it's not listed on that page you linked to?)
I was there too! I love reading your blog, although this is the first time I have commented! It was an inspiring message for any woman, but made me feel like my crafting has a great purpose!
Way to inspire, now I'm bummed that I didn't make the meeting here in my own small town! I'm going to have to go read the talk now and wish I was smart enough to arrange a babysitter for the evening.
I loved that talk, too. The connection between creation and compassion is something that I've just been discovering over the past few years. Now, if I could just take in that first part of the talk and be a little easier on myself!
I'm such a dork. I completely missed the conference. I think between a barfy boy, soccer games, and a husband at work, I spaced out. I need to go read the talks.
(My most favorite talk was by Pres. Hinckley a few years ago. I think it was called something like "To the Women of the Church." I have read that many times over the years.)
Coming out of lurkdom to agree that Pres. Uchtdorf's talk was inspiring. I woke up the next day inspired to find beauty and create beauty in everything.
your post is lovely. And yes, we all want to create something. It is amazing to see our little ones trying to follow on their creative mothers' steps.
WOW! My thoughts exactly! I feel so connected to all of you wonderful women around the world that shared in this magnificent conference.
It was a great broadcast. I LOVE that picture of Hannah sewing! It reminds me how innately creative children are.
xo
ps thanks for inviting us out on Sat - the apples are delicious and my kids loved being with their cousins!!
I have to agree that was a great conference. I missed it but just finished watching it on the internet.
Recently I discovered how important creating is. I am not sure if you have been past my blog in a little while but we very sadly lost our baby. I was 20 weeks pregnant and baby Alice was born on September 11 and died a short time after. Even before she was born, I was obsessed by the fact that I had not made her anything yet - we were moving into our new house the following week and as I have been working full time on that for months, I was going to start making things once we settled. So as soon as I was released from hospital I came home and started on a small quilt. I needed her to be wrapped in something that I made with my hands. I worked on it that night and the next morning and then returned to the hospital to wrap her little body in it. She was cremated in the quilt. I can't explain it but I just had to make her something. I apologise for this rather sad comment but I just wanted to say that sometimes creating something is the most important thing in the world...
Autumn will blow a sweet wind of inspiration... :)
I also think that creating is sometimes the most important thing in the world. Creating is something I plan on doing for a very long time, so every time I create something I am practising to be perfect!
I never miss RS gen. broadcast for this reason--the talks are always so uplifting and always what I need to hear. Another great conf! I always come away feeling so happy to be a woman!
I teach my sewing students little phrases to remind them that they are, in fact, in even the smallest ways, making something BIGGER than they are when they create even the smallest thing. Like, when someone says, "Is that it??" they respond, "It's a prototype." Lesson: we are all a work in progress. When something doesn't want to cooperate or turn out as you planned, say, "I'm the boss (not Tony Danza." Lesson: we have power in our hands, if we use it wisely. When the urge comes to criticize our own work and tear it down rather than accepting a compliment, we say, "Thanks, it turned out really well." Lesson: be open to the love around you and ACCEPT rather than deflect--it's good for the soul!
I love this post and the message behind it. I hope we all get the chance to roll around and get sticky with creativity!
Ah yes! It was fabulous! Can't wait for conference this weekend!
Thanks for the comment on my humble sewing blog! We live in the New Haven 1st ward--my husband is a grad student at Yale. We moved here from NYC though and miss it a lot...
What a great blog comment conversation we've got going on! :) I love that sugar city is looking at my projects. (however humble they may be.) I've been admiring your projects for a long time! New Haven is a great town--it has it's quirks like any place--but we are having a great time here!
Melissa- Thank you, that so need to be said. I enjoyed his talk as well.
Love this post! It's awesome and so true. It seems like the women that I meet that aren't creative appear to be missing out on something wonderful in life. Making something soothes the inner spirit and brings a peace and organization of the mind.
Big thoughts for early in the morning. :)
I was so inspired by that talk. I can't wait until I can download it and read it again. Thanks for all of your creative inspiration!
i LOVED that talk. wasn't it so inspiring to hear a man, as well as a member of the church, talk about the importance of being creative?! it was the highlight of my weekend, as well.
Just a comment for "rach". Thank you for sharing your story. The gentle and loving jesture of wrapping your little one in a quilt made by your own hands reminds me that creating is a way to give a piece of ourselves to another - in this case to wrap your child in your love.
As a result of some things I'm experiencing recently I've realized that creating is the essential of what God it...He creates worlds and spirits and plans and while we are on earth we have the opportunity to co-create with him. God creates. And I want to be like God.
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