Words spoken with elegance to a topic of heart importance…
This is how I’d sum up Emily P. Freeman’s book, A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live. Emily writes from a place of confidence in her heart expression of art. She writes of art in each of us and uses that term broad and wide.
My first reaction is to disassociate with the label “artist.” I don’t see myself in a creative light. Heck, I’m a boring programmer and a math major. How un-artist like can you get?! But through Emily’s writing I am learning that art is simply the expression of our true self, in all the little ways that materializes in our days and in our lives.
Uncover Heart Art
The book starts exploring the areas of sequestered art, locked inside our brokenness. Then skillfully Emily begins to paint a vision with words on a page of the potential inside of us all to walk into this art’s expression anew. She offers five ways to explore, rediscover and uncover your true art.
“I cannot imagine anything more dangerous to the enemy of our hearts than people who know who they are.”
Releasing Heart Art
From there she moves to the more tangible actions to bring out our heart’s art. Five more ways to release its expression are beautifully woven together. I was particularly struck with the call to “Show up.” Embrace your limitations, your lack. Embrace your unpreparedness. And just start, where you are, when you are, with what you have.
It’s provoking.
“You were born to make art. You were made to live art… It’s time to uncover the shape of your soul, turn down the voice of the inner critic and move into the world with the courage to be who you most deeply are.”
I’ve read Emily P. Freeman’s blog, Chatting at the Sky, for awhile now and love her expression, her art. This is the first of her three books I’ve read and, true to form, it’s beautifully written and deeply stirring. I am thrilled to provide a review.
(Available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Buy on Amazon.)
I’m excited to give away one FREE COPY of A Million Little Ways. Interested?
Leave a comment below before 11/20/13. One comment will be chosen at random to win the book!
What “art” do you secretly see signs of inside of you? What is itching to come out – even if you think yourself boring? Will you bravely whisper it here in a comment?
I was going to leave a comment, but I don’t know what to say. :/
Loria, I’m loving your honest answer! Deep, down deep, I’m sure there is a place where you come alive and have something to offer. That’s your place of art.
What defines art? I do not consider myself artistic. I am more of a dabbler, I totally love to bake. I like to knit and or crochet scarves, (real simple ones cause I am self taught). More of the Jane of some trades….master in none kind of gal. There was a time when I used to write simple poetry, but the words have ceased to flow from my pen onto the page these days. There is more silence amid the storms of thoughts that I have, which prevents them from flowing down through my pen onto paper.
So there you have it. Something…but nothing at the same time.
Vickie
Vickie I know those times when words are bound up inside and yet they are most needing to be said. Just keep expressing and not bottling. Sometimes I journal in a stream of consciousness way to get things out, even if I then throw out the papers I just wrote on.
Congratulations Vickie! You’re the winner of this giveaway!
Hmm…never thought about it this way, but if I were to search my heart and what I have in my hand today to work with, I would say food photography. One day I would love to write a cookbook and design childrens kitchen apparel and accessories, but shhh for now 😉
Drawing freehand with my little girl really pulls at what is possible. LOL!! She is always pushing the boundaries asking for drawings. Really makes you explore the artist inside.
Oh Jenn I’d love to see some of your drawing!
I’ve always thought of myself as a non-creative type of person. I appreciate structure and plans. “Strategic Planning”, “Process Development & Improvement”, and “Business Systemization” all light a fire inside me. I’ve learned over time that this is not the norm for most people…ok, even I can admit those sound boring…but they’re simply not, for me. My wife is extremely creative with visual media, language, and with her hands. What I’ve recently been learning is that those ‘boring’ areas that I’m passionate about can actually be outlets for MY creativity–albeit applied differently than what we normally think of as creativity. This recent realization has been incredibly freeing for me personally. Rather than constantly trying to fit into the typical box of ‘creativity’ I’m learning to understand my unique creativity as a reflection of how I’ve been created and wired. Thanks so much for this post Karena!
Thank you for saying this Beau! I totally agree. Art is bigger than the classical understanding of music, painting and such. I also am brought alive by organizing, by structuring, planning and developing. It’s how we’re wired and brings glory, and creative expression to our world just the same as the one gifted in photography and home decor.
A giveaway ?!? I’m impressed and excited KK ! Art, art, art … such a difficult thing. Reading the comments, I can see that I’m not the only one struggling to find in which art I’m supposed to dabble. I love singing and dancing. I’ve taken steps to be a better singer, now for the dance part … I’ll get into it one day and dance, dance, dance for my Lord ^_^
Sounds like a “challenging” book. I like to be challenged! Especially when it comes to creative life design. I look forward to reading it!
I have wanted to dabble in bridal accessory design for awhile now but never made time to play.
I think its funny you saw yourself as a boring programmer, I’ve always thought of you as creative!
I tell josh it takes organized creativity to do what y’all do 🙂
And the winner is… Number 2! (according to random.org) So congratulations to Vickie, you win a copy of Emily’s book.
For the rest of you, you can purchase the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Million-Little-Ways-Uncover-Were-ebook/dp/B00CIUJXI0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385046731&sr=8-1&keywords=a+million+little+ways
It would make a great Christmas gift!