I worry about children today. Diagnosed with ADD or ADHD in grade school, taught progressive politics from kindergarten on, given sex education that might potentially steer them into relationships they neither need nor can handle; all these factors are, in my opinion, leading our country into dangerous waters. And when you up the ante by ignoring the artistic side of life, your children may be teetering on a precipice. Maybe I’m being overly dramatic. On the other hand, maybe I’m not.

When I see my female relatives, we have so much to talk about we never even consider turning on the television. Come to think of it, most of us don’t even own an “idiot box”! I suppose building a cheesecake together or working in one of our gardens is our version of the quilting  bee.

I long for simpler times. Perhaps an economic downturn will open our eyes to the basic needs of life; communication, love and the mutual realities we share with our relatives, friends and neighbors.

I was reading about a six year old boy who paints like a master. His work is indeed beautiful. Watercolors full of atmosphere and shadow. This young man is named Kieron Williamson. You can find out a bit about him by clicking on the link above or just googling for him yourself. What I find so remarkable about his work is that it is neither child-like, nor dismally “realistic.” I think it communicates as much about the artist as it does the subject matter, in the manner of all great art. As I’ve always known, there is much untapped talent in every child, and some children are certainly destined for greatness in their ability.

Why not give it a try? There is nothing to lose by picking up a pencil and doing a little sketching, or sitting down at the computer and writing your memoirs. The possibilities are so endless. How about redesigning your bedroom? Writing a cookbook? Starting a garden? All of the above! If you can dream about it, you can do it.

Here’s another one that I highly recommend: Start writing your own blog! It is easy, fun and you can develop your writing skills.

As my artist mother used to say, “Use a ruler!” Creativity has nothing to do with drawing straight or curved lines. It has everything to do with self-expression, and the ability to see what is in front of you. We are humans, capable of great works of art, creating delicious banquets, and solving the riddles of the Universe. But the first step is to try.

If you have been told you can’t draw, carry a tune, bake a decent meal and so on, I would like you to prove those naysayers wrong, for once and all. It may take time and patience to turn the tide of self-negation, but it can be done!

Check a book out of the library with simple steps towards creating your first….anything! The best place to start is exactly where you are right now.

If glue, paper and beads just aren’t your thing, then bake goodies that can be enjoyed by your clan. One young lady in my family collects holiday tins from the thrift store, carefully washes them, and fills them with homemade cookies for everyone in the family. This is a tradition everyone looks forward to, especially her children.

Have an old fashioned and loving holiday season, and start it right now!

I worry about the public school system today, with the creative arts getting short shrift. I believe that learning to paint or play an instrument is equally important to becoming a whiz in math or science. Did I say equally? Well, that’s not quite right. It is way MORE important to create.

If you think your child is more intellectual than artistic, or worse, he has no “talent,” then think again. Creativity is part of the human condition, and we all deserve to indulge in it. It can be a full-time career or a part time hobby. And let me ask you this, was Einstein creative?

It’s not too early to start thinking about homemade Christmas gifts. Think you have no talent, think everyone else is more creative than you? Think again! We all have the gift to create, and there is no better time to use it than now. Not only that, if you need to learn a skill in order to make something (hand-crafted tree ornaments, cookie making and so forth) there’s still lots of time to work on it. Hone your skills now, and by November you can go to town on your Christmas gift list.

You may say time is a problem. Well, try turning off the TV! But in truth, that may not even be necessary. You can crochet while you watch your favorite show. I’m not big on television, but I have no trouble listening to music while I write, paint or cook. Whatever you do, make sure it’s just as fun for you to make as it will be for your loved ones to receive. This is a great way to save money and express yourself at the same time!

Children should be allowed their creativity, without parental correction or worse, the intervention of psychiatric drugging to “adjust” them. I’ve often thought that were psych drugs like Ritalin around when I was a child, I would’ve been the perfect candidate for their application. Extremely active and wildly creative, my profile would surely have matched some of the phony psychiatric labeling so prevalent today.

If you have a child you think is ADD or ADHD, think about adjusting his or her diet, cutting out the sugar and soft drinks, and turning off the television. There are many alternatives out there to harmful, addictive and potentially fatal psychiatric drugs.

This is my hobby horse for the week!

You don’t have to be an award-winning author or artist to make something that will be treasured for generations to come. I did this recently, and the little one in question must consider it her favorite book of all time. At least I get asked to read it whenever I’m babysitting, and she seems to have memorized the entire thing!

This should be a time of rediscovering the important things in life, and that includes the love in your family, and the treasure that our children truly are, both for us and for the future of mankind. Show them how important they are, and they will strive to live up to it.