In this post today I'm going to add a few good reasons why everyone can benefit from pursuing some form of creativity ( artistic or not).

In my 23 July post from last year about a similar subject ( why heart art?),  I spoke about one of the really important reasons as being:

"the opening up of our human heart condition like the sunflower stretching its neck towards the sun and opening its petalled upper body, and then deeply chanting its love for, and openness to, everything known and familiar to it, but especially the less familiar, the lesser known, because -despite of latter’s potentially ego-threatening nature, the incantation to opening up, receiving and joyfully welcoming the new and unfamiliar can catalyze deeper transformation in an individual. "

Painting isn’t just about splashing colour on a canvas, although it definitely fits in with a partial description I would give for the way I paint; check out my paintings on Mario's Heart Art to get a clearer idea. For me, doing something creative such as (but not exclusively) Heart Art painting makes me feel more balanced, like finding that sweet spot between feeling too much "out there" and too much "inside oneself" on the other hand. Painting can help you find be that safe spot, that sanctuary - time and again.

When I start painting, I take a decisive breath and I'm off, deep diving into the magic and mysterious world of superconcentration that feels like meditation. It’s being in that moment which fills all moments, just being, and breathing. Of course the mind wants to escape, it will seek distraction like a child.

The painting I like is free painting (as in free dance). Like with the physical body, there's a warmup phase before you become one with time. Explore...discover, I'm a feline on its nocturnal prowl, aware of dangers lurking, heightened senses, there's apprehension too.

Painting is a powerful form of self-expression, allowing you to communicate feelings and ideas that words sometimes can’t capture. What does it all mean? If anything...

This process is inward and outward looking. You're aware of yourself painting, at the same time you're being ushered into the next ante chamber of your soul. Incredibly purifying.

While you may start with a vision in mind, the creating leads you down the rabbit hole for as long as you are eager to discover. Embrace the surprises and enjoy the ride—your masterpiece might just turn out to be something wonderfully different than you could ever have envisioned!