Cleveland Rocks - Parade the Circle and The Creativity of God

Over the weekend, my wife Kathy and I had the opportunity to attend the Parade the Circle festivities presented by the Cleveland Museum of Art. For 23 years, the Museum has been producing Parade the Circle, an enterprising display of art that blends the talents and gifts of professional artists with the creative enthusiasm of community groups. It was our first time at the Parade and certainly will not be our last.

Cleveland Plaindealer

This year’s theme was “Branches Become Roots: Cycles Coming Back/Going Forward. The Parade’s organizer, Robin VanLear noted, “downturns in the economy and the housing market have opened opportunities for re-growth, in areas such as green technology and community gardens. The parade includes both frogs and sparkling canaries, both creatures used as a measure of health in an environment.” (Cleveland.com)

I was overwhelmed by the inventiveness and inspiration, the vivid colors, the dancing, the music, and the diversity of the crowd who appeared to drink in every moment of the parade. It was truly an interactive canvass of creative art which was joyous to behold. What a wonderful and thoroughly delightful experience – a truly Cleveland tradition.



Cleveland Plaindealer



The thirteenth century mystic Mechtild of Magdeburg said, “The Holy Spirit flows through us with marvelous creative powers of everlasting joy.” Creativity is one of the awesome characteristics of our universe and one of the amazing gifts that God bestows on each one of us. I think of the glory of the birth of a new star at the edge of our galaxy; or of a seed falling to the earth and growing into a shrub or tree; or a young child discovering finger painting for the very frist time; or an eighty year old composer writing his greatest opera (Giuseppe Verdi – Falstaff).

Each one of us has deep inside that creative gene waiting to be celebrated and shared with others. Have you embraced that creativity? How can you develop and nurture that divinely inspired gift of creativity to better your self, your family, and your world?

Love One Another - Brian