CREATIVITY IS A PATH OF SERVICE TO HUMANITY

‘Arts, crafts and sciences motivate the world of being and are conducive to its exaltation.

Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 26

I couldn’t agree more, as I feel inspired deeper in my heart to serve my community!. I believe various creative art forms, including the sciences, can inspire our lives and should take a central role in motivating us to live a life of abundance. I wrote a blog last year about the importance of Creativity in the lives of children, in fact, in all our lives. I mentioned everything that is life & has meaning in our lives is inherent to Creativity, making us human beings a super interesting species—Have you ever watched a child deep in a state of play or flow? I relate this to a child receiving spiritual nourishment, whatever they may be doing. This moment of exploration and communication unseen, beyond words, is quite magical to observe! It is a way for our children and us to connect from within, especially effective when in nature, as it gives us a better understanding of what brings us joy, and we know nature is life energy. 

So here we are in the 21st century with a 19th-century education system that deprives our children of the free spirit that forms the wholesome being they are. Sadly, we know it is not working and is making young people sick, bored, and worse, social media is not helping. My field of work has involved me working with children and raising our teenage(now) Son for over ten years. I love being a mother and inspiring other mums/parents to guide curious, courageous children. I am a product of that very rigid education system; I struggled as a creative child for most of my school years. I have had to re-educate myself to get to where I am today and re-ignite my passion for Creativity. Here’s a great quote by one of my favourite authors & educator on the arts, Sir Ken Robinson;

‘The arts arent just important because they improve maths scores; they’re important because they speak to parts of childrens being which are otherwise untouched.’

So wise, and what a beautiful quote, because I can only connect the ‘untouched’ with spiritual growth. A healthy way to mature, live life with abundance, and sense the inner fire that gives life meaning and purpose!!

Believe it or not, we all are going through our unique spiritual journey. Have you ever experienced a time when you try to follow your gut instinct to decide on something? That is like a spark of your spirit trying to connect with you!! Please don’t ignore it; nurture it, for this curiosity will feed your soul!! Here’s a guide on how to tap into your Spiritual Side Today!!

Spiritual Education

Recently I took part in a series of global conferences held here in the Algarve, exploring the conversations around the oneness of humanity and the universal call for the betterment of the world. Organised by Bahai friends from all over Portugal, it was such a success I walked away with much hope for our children! Integrating the arts into the programme was the central premise of the conference, not just for the final visualisation. Integral to the Bahai faith is nurturing of Creativity in our lives. It helps to open our minds, broaden our perspectives, and help overcome prejudices through collective discussions, expressions, cooperation, collaboration, and much more in a fun, safe environment! It is precisely the blessings our next generation needs in their lives in today’s world. Society’s aggressive quest for materialism is overwhelming the joy of innocent minds; moral and spiritual education is necessary more than ever in these testing times in humanity!!! 

So as an extension to the creative workshops I offer,  I will also be offering Virtue classes for children to the local community of West Algarve. And the surrounding neighbourhoods, as a free service to all families. So if you live in West Algarve and would like to know more about this fantastic spiritual programme, please do get in touch, email anna@kayanna.org or private message me on Instagram: @kayanna.creatives. 

Finally, I leave you here with this beautiful poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, 

Entitled: Children Learn What They Live… 

If children live with criticism, They learn to condemn. 

If children live with hostility, They learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule, They learn to be shy.

If children live with shame, They learn to feel guilty.

If children live with tolerance, They learn to be patient.

If children live with encouragement, They learn confidence. 

If children live with fairness, They learn justice.

If children live with security, They learn to have faith.

If children live with approval, They learn to like themselves. 

If children live with acceptance and friendship, They learn to find love in the world.