Home Again

If you have read my blog before, you probably know that my husband has Pulmonary Hypertension which is high blood pressure in the lungs.  It is a rare lung disease which for now is incurable.  He was diagnosed eight years ago which puts him in the category of a long time survivor.  Every other year the Pulmonary Hypertension Association holds a conference which is attended by patients, family members, doctors, researchers, nurses, etc.  Last week we attended for the first time.  It was a wonderful experience and I am so glad that we were able to go. I learned many things over the course of four days but one thing that I thought I would share today was the importance of creativity in the lives of the people fighting this disease and for that matter all of us.  I sat in on one session led by four women who have battled their illness for a period of time.  Each had developed a creative outlet which helped them to move forward and take control of their life.  One began to volunteer in her church and developed a website something she had never done before.  Another became immersed in yoga and began to teach others using the adaptations that many of us need to use.  Another was a singer/song writer who was initially told she would never perform again.  She decided that she would fight this diagnosis and beginning with a vision board came up with the steps that would take her back to singing the songs she wrote on stage.  Her performance was beautiful and so was she. 

We all show our creativity in different ways.  When the panel stopped sharing last week one audience member said "I just want to congratulate you all on your strength and to acknowledge what you have accomplished.  Do you all realize how much your creativity has helped you to move forward and how much you have inspired the rest of us today?"  There were tears in the room as well as lots of clapping and smiles. 

I really believe that our creativity is something that we should never take for granted.  It will be there for us in good times as well as bad.  It needs to be nurtured and given the time and respect it deserves.  Acknowledging that part of who we are is so important.  Sharing what we love to do with others is equally important.  I hope that every day you will take time to allow your creativity to grow and develop.  Even just a few minutes makes a difference.  Remember:

            When you share your dreams and your talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!