|
Creativity - Why bother?
'To be creative is our birthright, and yet many of us shy away from it, fearing failure or disapproval, unless we consider ourselves successfully ‘artistic’ in one way or another. Many fail recognise and value the areas of life that they are being creative leaving an emptiness and potential jealousy of those that are creatively ‘gifted’. Our souls crave for creative fulfilment, whether it is through our own expression, appreciating another’s creation or enjoying the beauty of creation itself. Sometimes the frustrated need for creative expression results in a destructive expression – but at least I have made my mark! Some have lost sight and hope of being creative in any way and become shrivelled in their soul and resort to other distractions to fill the void.
Everyone has been created in the image of the Creator to be creative - to celebrate their ability and to be fulfilled through engaging in the process. If our creativity is not given an expression that is valued and appreciated then we carry a wound in our being that mysteriously and unconsciously affects all of our behaviour. Being creative is not a specific gift but a fundamental ‘state of being’ the gifts that we use to express it are unique to each individual. We are all capable of creative expression – it is inherent with being alive – to deny it, or to have it denied, is to quietly die inside – even if nobody notices.
Even at the most basic level of living our bodies are engaged in the continuous creative process of molecular regeneration where millions of cells die and are wonderfully replaced every second. At the highest level of expression beautiful things are created from our imagination that transcends the everyday inspiring others and reminding us of the wonder of being human. In between is the wonder of being alive that we have a lifetime to discover. Creativity and creative expression is one of the most profound revelations of the nature of mankind, revealing the uniqueness and significance of each individual.
A definition of creativity is ‘to bring into existence something that did not exist previously’. This can be achieved through bringing together different elements to realise something that is beyond the sum of the parts. The creative process is applicable and available to ALL areas of human activity. Being creative may start with ‘flashes’ of inspiration but it usually requires hard work to be excellent regardless of which area of life is engaged with and what disciplines are used. Creativity means ‘taking risks’ – sometimes it just does not work out as originally intended. Failure is always an option but once that risk has been embraced it becomes the fuel and excitement of the creative process.
Creativity is common to mankind and unites us in a collective expression of consciousness regardless of background. Generally, what is considered ‘great art’ from different times, civilisations and cultures touches the soul of humanity and is capable of communicating significantly with many across cultural and generational boundaries. One of the reasons for this ability to communicate across these boundaries is that each individual is not an island but is part of a collective community that traverses time and space. There is awareness that our souls are part of a larger reality even if we cannot put a definition to it. When we are exultant and full of life we aspire to share our experience with everyone. When we are depressed or feel defeated we become isolated and feel the pain of that more severely because of the awareness that we are not being included in the common experiences of humanity.
Creativity is a spiritual activity that results in a physical product; it is an act of warfare against death and mediocrity. Sadly, many consider that to be creative is something special and the domain of specialists rather than being fundamental to healthy living and a reality that permeates the whole of our being.
What is your area of creative expression and fulfilment? There are various clues in our behaviour and responses to situations that can help us to identify it which we will explore later.
|
