By Irene Conlan –

A  part of self improvement is continuing to learn. The first video is a talk about the education of our children and whether they are learning to be creative.  It made me wonder about my own education – and yours – and if we learned what our creative talents are and if we learned  how we can use them to the optimum.

I finished high school in the ’50s – a long time ago and in a place far, far away. I played a saxophone in the school band but, other than that I had no introduction to the arts and no quality instruction in writing and appreciating literature. In fact I would say I had a substandard education. It wasn’t until I was in college that I learned to write “better than a 5th grader” and learned to love art, and literature. I always loved an appreciated music because we had an outstanding band and learned to play and appreciate the classical genre.

Because I was in college in Washington, D.C. I had access  to the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress (which was then open to students) and to the Smithsonian.  Being there gave me a great love for the arts, but did not give me the opportunity to develop my own creativity.  What about you?

Have you been challenged artistically?  Have you tapped in to your creativity? It is never too late.

Fortunately I h ad a professor in my undergraduate program who challenged me to learn to write. She said, “Nurses are the worst writers in the world. Most nurses can’t pass my class.” There it was. I had to show her that I, even though a nurse, could write as well as anyone in the class. I couldn’t. Not in the beginning anyway. I worked harder in that class than in all my other classes put together. I got  a top grade but, more importantly I developed a love for writing and a love for literature that has served me well over the years.

But it is with this blog that I’m learning to be more creative. If I can do it so can you.

My son, in his late 30s is painting with acrylics and oils and doing some lovely work. He is painting with my five year old grandson,  Jack – and Jack has no inhibitions with paint. He lets it flow and some of his work is quite lovely. He is also learning to enjoy music of all kinds and my son is encouraging him to learn drums, piano – or anything else musical. He probably won’t get it in school. The arts have given way to sports when the budget cuts have reduced the curriculum in the public schools. Football is judged to be more important than the arts. Granted, our children need programs that make them exercise, but they also need to develop their creativity and their appreciation for those things beautiful.

The great news is that we have classes in all the branches of art available to us through our college system and the Internet can give you access to almost anything you wish to learn. You are NEVER to old to learn both the theory and application. Go to an art appreciation class – or take lesson in painting with water colors, acrylics, oils or pastels. Or take a music appreciation course – even take some piano lessons or learn to play guitar. Whatever appeals to you – go for it. Learn to appreciate dance – and if you’re not a dancer, perhaps you can learn.

You can be creative in any area of your life – work, play, romance. So get your creative juices flowing. It’s self improvement at its best.