Sharing your gifts

I'm a huuuuuge fan of being creative for the hell of it. In fact, I remember the day a co-worker told me that nothing was art unless you sold it to someone. I was horrified and thought it was capitalism gone mad. Would you say a child's creations don’t qualify as art because they didn't sell them? Of course not. To me, creativity for ourselves is a foundation we can build on.

The benefits of having creative projects in your life are incredible. It can get your brain going, help you relax, give you purpose and joy. But I also encourage you to think about ways you can use your creativity to give back. Look at last year — the world needs you!

The opportunities are endless. If you have a way with words, use them to help a small business or non-profit attract an audience. If you have a knack for design, use those skills to communicate PSAs in a new way. And if you're a marketing maestro, share some ideas with a local business you're damn well not going to let close down.

If none of that sounds appealing, teach something you're pretty good at to someone who's willing to learn. You don't need to be the best in the world to help someone that doesn't have a clue.

As I've gotten older, I've felt a calling to make service a greater part of my life. And while I may not be able to spend 50% of my working hours on the people that need it the most, I can make small goals and integrate it into my weekly routine. I don't want praise for it. I just know it's something that makes a community stronger. I'm blessed with a lot of opportunities and it feels right to give back.

Life can be overwhelming and we have to take care of ourselves before we can help someone else. But what I'm finding out is that giving (and the way it makes you feel) is very much a part of your own self-care.