I’ll be honest. I signed up for 30 Days of Creativity on a whim. A total whim. Because it sounded like fun. And because I could–I’m on sabbatical.

The 30 Days website says, “Your brain is like a muscle. When you exercise it, it gets stronger.” One of their signs says, “Through creativity, we can all make the world a better place.”

Those are lovely sentiments. But I did not sign on to exercise my brain or to make the world a better place. I just wanted an excuse to play in my craft room every day.

This is my primary craft table. (Yes, that indicates it is not my only craft table. I am spoiled.)

Here’s the thing, though. After only five days, this little project has become more than just a fun diversion. It has made creativity a conscious part of my life. In the morning I think, “What will I create today?” (And extra “responsible grown-up” points for people who print off the planning calendar and plot their projects!) Whatever else the day holds, I know I will get to make something new!

This project has made me aware that I create more things than I realize. A prayer. An outfit. A blog post. A meal. There are so many ways that creativity flows through my day.

And I notice all of the things that the people around me create. Today Grace had to choose which of her creations we would post for the project. She has probably been creating at least one thing almost every day for the past year or more–I just didn’t always pay attention.

And I notice the work of the Creator. Both for its own sake and for the inspiration it might be for my own meager creations. The perfectly shaped leaf. The deep electric blue of an almost-night sky. The hundred shades of green in the woods.

My intentional efforts toward creativity lead me to wonder what else I might focus on for 30 days.

Imagine 30 Days of Gratitude. Writing a thank you note every day. Saying a prayer of thanksgiving every night.

30 Days of Love. Finding a way to show love to someone each day. Paying attention to the people who love me.

30 Days of Listening. Having conversations with new people. Reading articles by people who are different from me: different race, class, nationality, political party, religion.

30 Days of Kindness. 30 Days of the Sermon on the Mount. 30 Days of Generosity. 30 Days of Chocolate!

The possibilities are endless.

And it’s only day 5. So we’ll see how I feel on day 29. I’m thinking, though, that this 30 days thing could be a helpful spiritual practice for me from time to time.

If you were going to be intentional about doing something every day for 30 days, what would it be?