Our theme for January is JOURNEY. It was chosen by our Muscat chapter in Oman and illustrated by Salim Al Salami. 

Let’s go. Let’s get out there and see what the world has waiting for us. 

By putting ourselves in a new environment or experience, we gain a different perspective. That sense of discovery sparks fresh inspiration. If your brain feels stuck, try moving your feet. 

So, let’s travel somewhere we’ve never been. Either down the street or across a far-off border, there’s so many places to explore. Or we can take a metaphorical journey like unlocking personal growth in therapy, advancing on our career paths, or undergoing a spiritual awakening. Or we can enjoy a journey into imagination through a book, film, or other work of art.

As we travel through life, everyone you meet is at a different point in their own unique journey. Some of us know where we’re going. While other paths are full of twists, turns, and obstacles thrown in our way. The trick is to embrace the detours and delays. Because there are no shortcuts on a journey of self-discovery or creative expression. 

Just please remember: you are not traveling alone.

Our theme for December is CYCLE. It was chosen by our Freiburg chapter in Germany and illustrated by Isabell Meister. 

Our Freiburg chapter had sustainability in mind when they chose this theme — from their swarms of cyclists commuting to work to their robust recycling programs that recover and reuse 69% of the city’s waste. 

Our world runs on cycles. There’s the frantic buzz of the 24-hour news cycle. The boom and bust of economic cycles. The changing seasons. Every plant, animal, and organism exists in a life cycle of birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Water flows through a cycle of evaporation into vapor to condensation in clouds to precipitation that falls as rain or snow. The menstrual cycle. The circadian rhythm of our sleep cycle. 

Just as crops are grown on a rotation cycle to replenish the soil, our own creativity requires a cycle of inspiration or inputs, followed by a burst of productivity or entering a flow state, and finally a period of rest or contemplation. 

Cycles are circular and keep things moving. Which cycles are you living in tune with? And which ones are you fighting vainly against?

If you need a hug, we’ve got you. If you need a place to feel welcome, accepted and included, we’ve got you. If you just want to sit in silence with others, we can do that too. If you want to help others in our community feel seen, invite them to one of our events. The CreativeMornings Santa Fe team promises to be a container of safety for everyone. We look forward to seeing you and holding space for you at our events.

Our theme for November is THREAD. It was chosen by our Derby chapter in the United Kingdom, illustrated by Carla Dee, and is presented by our global partner Adobe.

Have you ever pulled on a loose thread in a sweater or sock? Things can unravel quickly. 

The creative process can feel like that. A nagging thought, an imperfect bit, or a big tangled mess. But maybe that thread is trying to tell you something. Follow it and see where it takes you. 

Because thread is both a physical and metaphorical tool of creativity. In film and literature, a “thread” is the progression of a plot line or theme that helps tie the narrative together. While in sewing, weaving, embroidery, and knitting, the “thread” physically embellishes and holds the piece together. 

No wonder a loose thread is so hard to ignore. 

It turns out that all the good and bad in your life is forming a beautiful tapestry. 

Love is in the AI®

Set a reminder on all of your calendar, clock, and phone apps. Just be there! Tickets to this event are free, but YOU MUST RSVP, beginning Friday, October 11 at 9 a.m.

Our theme for October is VISION. It was chosen by our Riyadh chapter in Saudi Arabia and illustrated by Razan Alshalan.

How do you see the world? How do you want to change it?

Vision refers both to the sense of sight and our ability to imagine the future. Are you focused on the little details? Can you see the big picture?

As we age, our eyesight begins to deteriorate; seeing objects up close gets more difficult. And as we gain experience, what we want to accomplish evolves. Will your life grow darker or brighter?

Each creative act involves seeing something in your mind’s eye then attempting to make it a reality. A painter, an architect, and every other type of artist or craftsman has a vision for their work. What message, emotion, or impact do you want to convey in yours? 
You are your own visionary. What do you want to see?

From a county courthouse in the West Texas desert to the halls of the Supreme Court, Pat Lopez has been called a ‘master’ of courtroom art by the U.S. Library of Congress. She has documented every human emotion as it unfolded before her with the quick movement of her colored pencils. Some of the trials she sketched live include the Matthew Shepard Murder, Karen Silkwood Murder, Oklahoma City bombing, Sam Bowers (member of the KKK), Jasper Dragging Death, Citadel, Waco Branch-Davidian trial, Selena Murder Trial, Susan Smith Murder trial, Andrea Yates Murder Trial, Kobe Bryant Rape Hearing, and many others.

Join us as she recounts her years of experience, taking you to the crime scenes of trials she was assigned to sketch. She will share how she developed her process of conducting creative research around the actual crime scene, before having to appear in highly-charged courtrooms where her life was twice threatened.

Our theme for September is REFLECTION. It was chosen by our Oklahoma City chapter in Oklahoma and illustrated by Aditi Heins.

Just like an echo is a reflection of sound… and how a camera lens focuses reflected light to form a photograph… our subconscious reflects on our experiences to form our beliefs.

Without reflection, there can be no personal growth. Learning from our past yields greater wisdom and happiness. But don’t let self-awareness turn into self-absorption. Take heed of the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own handsome reflection in a pool of water. 

Reflecting on difficult moments can be painful but also healing. When our Oklahoma City chapter selected this theme, they mentioned a reflecting pool at the site of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that was designed to help people reflect on how they were changed by that tragic event. 

Pondering the world around us and following our curiosity adds depth to our creative work. As William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, the purpose of acting is “to hold as ‘twere the mirror up to nature.” While George Bernard Shaw said, “you use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” (Although Bertolt Brecht countered, “Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”)

Reflection turns our traumas and triumphs into lessons. It’s how we can create a vision for a brighter future.

August’s theme is RITUAL.

It was chosen by our Charlottesville chapter in Virginia and illustrated by Matt Smithson.

Rituals add meaning and a deeper sense of connection to our lives. They allow us to practice mindfulness and reflection. Unlike our daily routine and habits, rituals have the power to inspire us. 

Brushing your teeth is routine. Going for a morning walk would be a good habit. And writing a gratitude journal could become your morning ritual. The key is to act with intentionality. 

Our CreativeMornings events have their own rituals. Getting a cup of coffee creates an opportunity to say hello to someone new while you wait your turn in line. Reading our manifesto out loud reinforces our beliefs that everyone is creative and everyone is welcome. 

What rituals do you practice in your relationships, your spirituality, and your creative work? How do they heighten your sense of purpose and belonging in this world?

Our theme for July is TRUST. It was chosen by our Islamabad chapter and illustrated by Ibrahim Nasir.

Trust is the invisible thread that weaves the fabric of our relationships and society together. But, in turbulent times, doubt can unravel our strengths. 

So, go with your gut. Put your trust in a higher power, in our institutions, and in karma. Believe that people will do the right thing. Trust the process. And that your creativity is a well that will never run dry. 

When we trust each other, we feel safe to share ideas, give feedback, and take risks. It requires vulnerability and a willingness to be open to the possibility of disappointment or betrayal. So, trust is not purely belief or faith. It is an active choice. 

Trust is a gift. It must be given before it can be earned.