Happy Mothers Day to all the moms around the world.
Mothers can go to great heights of love, forgiveness, and kindness. A mother is special and great in many ways and it doesn’t need anyone like me to explain this. This blog is a small attempt to appreciate my mother’s creative genius and deep dive into the importance of a creative mind in the modern world.
Definition of creativity: the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. Imagination is the action of forming new ideas and concepts of external objects not present to senses. To create is to bring (something) to existence.
Creativity isn’t only demonstrated through physical delivery like cooking a unique dish, decorating the house with clever solutions, creating innovative artwork that sparks imagination or styling your best outfit. My admiration of creativity begins from the unique ability of the mind; a mind that transcends to go above and beyond. A mind that is capable of recognising the limitations of what already exists and trying to improve upon it with your very own touch.
I am a true admirer of my mother’s creativity in thinking – that’s where it all begins. I commend my mom’s genius mind of curiosity, imagination and questions. Questions are important. Questions encourage critical thinking and questions are also considered the art of learning. From a very young age, my brother and I have always been encouraged to question and to understand fully in order to think of a better and more unique solution, even in situations where there may not be a need for one.
For some, creativity might come naturally, but as I gather from research it is also something that can be learned. I’ve had the privilege to live under such a strong and innovative mindset, and express my truest gratitude today as I recognise what I have is unique.
Kamala Ji (how I refer to my mom, every time she amazes me) is forever producing and creating, never-ending sewing projects, art around the house, giving us ideas and encouraging my family and I to think big, the list can go on forever. I guess, if you have a creative mind, every day and every second we hear new ideas escape her, there is just no stopping her brain. We get tips and tricks from something as simple as the way we do the dishes to how we should handle critical conversations in our careers. I recall my 10th birthday, every other birthday boys and birthday girls would arrive at school with boxes of chocolates and parents with a camera to celebrate, whilst I was summoned to the stage by the principal to honour my kindness. I had signed up to the ‘Organ Donor Register’ for my 10th Birthday, my organs would give someone a better life when I’m gone. Surely I wasn’t able to come up with that all by myself at the age of 10. Although it was me who received the applause, compliments and admiration on that stage as a little girl, the rightful owner of all appreciation truly belonged to my mom. I’m in awe today thinking how she thought it important to engrain such a deep thought-provoking and grand gesture, how she was able to inspire, educate, and convince a 10-year-old Apsara to be unique, kind, and giving. For my mom, creativity and distinctiveness have no age limit.
A recent example I would like to share with my readers is an example I chose also because this was an opportunity for my mom to blast out so many ideas in one blow. The pandemic allowed a situation where we had no other choice but to get creative. My Nepalese wedding during the pandemic meant a lot of things and shopping was the least concerning but also the most important. The many big and small wedding props we had no access to got my mom’s creative juices flowing like a hot volcano that patiently waited for years to erupt.
Thankfully I sneakily ensured I captured some snippets for me to put my admiration in words and include images to support my claim.
- Kamala Ji had never attempted Nepali Choli previously but both my wedding choli’s felt it was from an pro.
- Nepali wedding crown and veil from scratch
- 400 hundred meters of White flower garland hanging around the temple hand sown
- Personalised labels for wedding gifts
- Hand stitched sari belt
- Wedding Venue
..and these were just a few stuff I had picture evidences for..
My family will not disagree if I claim that 90% of ideas for my pandemic wedding came from the almighty Kamala Ji and the 10% may be generously split amongst the rest of us.
To summarise, there are no words in this world to capture my gratitude for my mom. I am so proud and honoured to be your daughter and forever indebted to you for your love, guidance and wisdom. You inspire and amaze me daily. God willing a day might arrive when I am to be a mother myself, I know I will follow every step to provide the same vision for the best life possible.
Happy Mother’s Day – I love you Mamu, my definition of love.
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Book recommendations
