Walking in Beauty Emily Hornback

Walking in Beauty CREATIVITY, THE ENERGY OF OUR

SUN, SUMMER, AND RENEWAL.

For many of us, as summer breaks through, we feel a sense of both restlessness and renewal. Time to finally work on outdoor projects, get out of town, visit friends and family, and we pack our long days full of to-do’s. Many of us feel busier than ever, despite the longer daylight hours and the perception of more time during the day.

In Chinese medicine the sun is represented by the yang principle, the counterpart to the female yin energy of winter, the moon, and nighttime. Though our days are already getting shorter (us having already passed our summer solstice of June), much of nature is responding with its most extreme expression of vitality, and this is biologically represented as plant energy moving into leaves (versus the roots in winter). Likewise, we turn our focus outwards, much as the plant kingdoms do.

Paradoxically, this shift in energy to the external can create a disconnect if we aren’t careful. We can find ourselves depleted, exhausted, and often overstimulated. We may find ourselves steeped in emotion that is needing an outlet but is having a hard time finding it. If you’re finding yourself in one of these situations, consider a creative outlet!

In five-element Chinese medicine theory, the sun holds an energy of creativity. Much of the time, we sacrifice the joy of creativity in favor of doing more and more. And yes, being busy is a bona-fide reason to not add more to your day, however, many people find that by taking a few moments out of their day to engage in a creative task not only improves their sense of well-being, but improves their productivity and can even inspire them to accomplish things they’ve been putting off.

How can we fit creativity in during the day? Online blogger Tara Leaver has an excellent series of suggestions in this vein that relate to her love of painting/drawing, while being a busy mom. She suggests even five minutes a day right upon waking can help provide an avenue for creativity. She puts a canvas or blank sheet in front of her and starts working on it, allowing five minutes per day first thing upon waking to just put something down.

How can you add moments of creativity to the canvas of your life?

Consider doing something different. Perhaps sipping coffee on your patio for five minutes in the morning instead of watching TV and just listening. Maybe explore a different genre of music than you’re accustomed to. What about going to the library and picking up a random novel, trying something out of your usual reading routine? Maybe commit to turning off the screen or laying down the smartphone and writing down a few thoughts. You could also do something different for a friend or loved one, be spontaneous and unpredictable. Additionally, consider switching up your self-care routine, or starting one! Try gifting yourself a massage or an acupuncture session, getting your hair done, or a pedicure. Go out on a limb!

Being creative, being intentionally spontaneous, doing something out of the ordinary is not only good for your body (positive neuroplasticity and stress reduction, for example), but also cultivates overall happiness, perhaps by creating a sense of expansion, much as our present season exerts on the natural systems around us.

With respect to more immediate self-care during the summer months, you’ll need to up your water intake, and you’ll probably benefit more from cooling foods and drinks. An example of cooling foods (from a Chinese medicine perspective) include salads, maybe a cold pasta dish, vegetables such as cucumbers and celery, and snacks or meals such as fruit smoothies. Spices that are cooling include fennel and dill. Items such as pickles and kombucha can provide electrolytes, probiotics, and effervescence that are refreshing and nourishing. Mint tea is an excellent cooling herb, and it’s also great iced with a bit of lemon. Be creative with your diet and try new things!

We are so blessed to have these beautiful, blue, wide skies, with their explosive summer storms; the vast palate of wildflowers, the zoom-zoom of hummingbirds, and the fire red of the sacred rocks all below the creative energy of the sun above. Make this Gallup summer a creative one! Have fun! forLoveofLife

Emily Hornback is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing in Gallup. Trained in Classical Chinese Medicine, she has made it her life’s work to help people find balance in their everyday life through the practical wisdom of Oriental Medicine. She incorporates not only acupuncture and herbal remedies, but also dietary and lifestyle advice. forLoveofLife Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine