April is National Poetry Month and we'll be focussing on creativity around here. I wanted to share my reflection from our April newsletter on why art and creativity are so important: 

"You may or may not know that I love poetry! Often, this surprises people. Poetry? And you're right, not all poetry. Specifically, I love poetry that is accessible, relatable and reflective. I want to easily understand most of what I'm reading, but also be prompted to slow down and really absorb what the poet is pointing me toward. I like getting out of my left-brain, logical, thesis-trained brain and into a space where words touch our emotional core. Where we feel a truth deep in our bones. 

Poetry doesn't have a monopoly on this experience. All art plays this important function for us. Visual art, novels, music, theatre, and dance all helps shift us out of our usual ways of thinking, opening us up to new understanding or learning, affirming our experiences or helping us grow empathy for experiences we're unfamiliar with. 

Even better, art calls us into connection. Art is always a conversation between the artist and the viewer or reader. It's also a source of kinship when you find others who love the same art you do! 

So this is your invitation, what connections would you like to be part of this month? What art would you like to create and what art would you like to experience?" 

(If you'd like to receive the monthly newsletter, you can sign up on our website at the bottom of the homepage! Our newsletters usually have a reflection, prompts, information on upcoming events and a blessing.)