"Freedom to Express Oneself"
Kids have always wanted to scribble here and there. Couches, furniture pieces and sometimes on the walls too. I will not lie but I have not allowed such freedom to my children. Even though I have always wanted to do so myself, I've never given my kids the freedom to draw on the walls.
As a child I remember how elated I used to be when I would be picked to write on the chalk board in school. Anyone recall those days? When you used to raise your hand just to be the one kid who is assigned to wipe off the entire chalk board of your class? I still love it when I get to write on dry erase boards. Even at work I feel I can communicate better when I put my ideas on a board. Truly there is no feeling like picking up a pencil and a paper. It is still the best way to express how one feels and it’s not limited to kids. I would say its for all of us. Allowing the child in you to enter that world of limitless imagination which is not bound by the restrictions of this world.
It is amazing to witness what these little incredible minds of our kids with big imaginations can create when given that opportunity. Such beautiful thoughts when put on paper helps them not only resolve their inner fights and concerns but gives this world a vision of a beautiful place to live in. In today’s age kids don't have that many chalk boards where they can get messy with the chalk dust but they do have dry erase boards and most of them have Smart Boards (they are definitely SMART in keeping our kids clean).
So the thought here is giving the freedom to express. Allowing the child in you to express along with your own children. I don't allow my kids to write on couches, furniture or walls. However, keeping crayons and paper always handy or taking some index cards with markers wherever we go allows them to remain at ease while waiting for food at restaurants or waiting in long lines. These times have created wonders and brought us some of the most rewarding experiences. I recall and cherish those moments where we have gifted our little creations to those people who had very lovingly served us our dinner or lunches. Some more personal, motivating and supporting creations were mailed to hospice patients in California. And their comments have only brought tears of joy in our eyes. No words can express the feeling of reaching out to someone who has no support (family or their own health) with just a short note full of colors. Your simple colorful card may just brighten someone's day including your own.
If I had the choice I would keep a room in my house where walls would have clear white paint and black paint (it is very easy to get a chalk board paint). The room would only have paper, markers, crayons, pencils, paints, chalks etc. We would name the room as “our creativity room”. People visiting or people living in the house would be allowed to express whatever they had to on these walls. Over time these walls would be full of beautiful imaginations and creations. If more space is needed all we have to do is paint over it all and start again!
All I have to say today is free yourself and express in whatever shape or form you wish to. Sit down with your children, pick up some paint, and let your imagination go wild on paper. It does not have to be perfect. Whatever you create is going to be as beautiful or as cool as a well known artist because it comes from this unique soul that is YOU. Love yourself and give yourself the Freedom to Express. And while you do it share it with others, you might just make someone SMILE!
P.S. After my child read this blog he immediately asked me “Mom, so are you o.k. if I drew on the walls of my room?”
