What is "Hidden Art"?

Edith Schaeffer describes "hidden art" as, "The art which is found in the 'everyday' of anyone's life."  She asserts that "each person has some hidden talent which is unfulfilled in some hidden area of his being, and which could be expressed and developed."

A few years ago, I was complaining to Marc about how I felt as if I had no time to do anything but dishes, laundry, meals, and keeping the kids from killing one other (this is still a problem, but not the point of my story).  After I was finished laying out all my woes, he asked a simple question that had me completely stumped: "What do you enjoy?  What would you like to do if you had time for it?"  I felt a little silly, but my honest answer was, "I don't know."  I was so caught up with the stresses of the mundane, that I forgot what I liked to do.  It had been a very long time since I had given any thought to it.  I had been in survival mode so long that I had forgotten how to imagine, invent, dream... I was on the treadmill of the mundane with no idea of what I would do if I ever got off.  (Honestly, at that point in my life, I didn't care what I did when I got off, I JUST WANTED OFF!) ;)

Marcus encouraged me to start thinking about what I enjoy or think I might enjoy, and start making time (little as it may be) for those things.  So, I did.  I read, wrote stories, sewed, gardened, made jewelry, did crafts with the kids, practiced the piano and the flute... and those were times of refreshing for me. Times where I felt like I actually accomplished something.

So, how did I make time for those things?  In the book, she says, "Developing a creative talent involves discipline, time, and energy- the balance of time is a constant problem.  One is always having to neglect one thing in order to give precedence to something else."  I don't know if anyone else can relate to this, but I lived so much by the standard of "work then play," that I never had time to play or create, because, let's face it, as wives and mothers, our work is never done.

There is a point that you have to say, "Enough." and go ahead and spend time doing something you enjoy, even thought there are dishes in the sink or laundry in the hamper.

Another very important point that Edith touches on is the thoughts of, "if only" and "someday."  "If only I weren't so tied down...someday when my kids are older.....when I have more time...when I have more money...when I retire....then I'll develop my love of music, gardening, painting, sculpting, sewing, baking...."  Someday sometimes never comes.  We must consider the very practical use of that talent today.  What is your talent, your "hidden art"?

In the next several chapters, Edith explores specific forms of art and how they may be developed and incorporated into everyday life.  Can't wait to explore each one!!