Featuring: Creativity in Health and Healing and Integrative Pain Management

Letter from the Publisher

Candi Broeffle
Publisher

Creativity has long seemed elusive for many people, me included. We have come to believe that creativity is synonymous with creative people, like artists, performers and makers. Personally, I am surrounded by artistically creative people. My husband is a woodworker, painter and stained glass artisan, and our son spent most of his life active in the theater and music.

The artists and makers have long known that creativity is the key to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing. While creating, they process their thoughts, empty their minds of troubling thoughts and get large boosts of energy.

Today, we all understand that creativity is paramount for our overall health. It can put things into perspective and help us see the bigger picture. It can be used in therapy, to help with recovery, and to overcome mental health issues. We can also use it to help in our daily lives, like daily life routines and frequent health concerns.

The challenge for many of us is to see ourselves as creative beings—to expand past the obvious definitions. We can look to those moments when we lose track of time, when we are filled with energy and wish we had even more time to explore what we are doing. These are our times of inspiration—of being “in spirit”.

This month’s issue includes the article, “Art’s Embrace: Healing Through Creativity”, which shares how creativity can help us heal not only our bodies, but our communities as well. The article reminds me of the work being done in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, in Duluth, and what has been created in less than 10 years. It all started with the crafters and makers—the artists, craft brewers, manufacturers, restaurateurs and supporters—who came together to envision a new future for a dying neighborhood. Many people became discouraged, didn’t see the progress, and walked away; but the creatives stayed engaged. They brought their vision to life and, though not yet perfect, it continues to evolve.

This is what creativity does: it evolves, adapts and grows. It is an innovative approach to health and healing that focuses on the importance of narrative, or a way of looking at life that connects us to our emotions, our shadow and the community. It encourages us to be our best selves, to live well and be happy.

So, what will you create?

 

This Month's Articles