We could all use more creativity. It's not a quality relegated solely to artists. Creativity is how you spend your time, how you wash the dishes, how you write a note, and how you start conversation. I think the enigmatic ultimately-desired essence we call 'charisma' is the direct result of implementing little bursts of creativity into our daily interactions. Doing so leads to spontaneity, confidence and social excitement. It also broadens your worldview.
~Kurt Vonnegut
I enjoy reading biographies about real monumental figures in history. Progressive politicians, movement-spurring artists, groundbreaking scientists and philosophers. These are the people who've had real creative drive, and if there's one common thread amongst their biographies, it's that they've never played it safe. They don't settle for a lower standard for the sake of comfort; they risk personal security for ideological and creative progress.
"Without deviation from the norm,
I enjoy reading biographies about real monumental figures in history. Progressive politicians, movement-spurring artists, groundbreaking scientists and philosophers. These are the people who've had real creative drive, and if there's one common thread amongst their biographies, it's that they've never played it safe. They don't settle for a lower standard for the sake of comfort; they risk personal security for ideological and creative progress.
progress is not possible." ~Frank Zappa
Creativity doesn't come from playing by the book. From a Zen perspective, creativity comes from seeing emptiness, feeling the power of being liberated from attachments to dualistic ideas, and filling the remaining void with something unique and constructive. It's not catering to trends or selling out. I have some college friends who are musicians, and most of them are really innovative. But it's sad to meet the occasional someone with ridiculous amounts of talent dulling their craft and trying to sell out at the very beginning stages of their career.
Always question. Stay open to stumbling upon new perspectives to work from-- it doesn't matter if you're an architect, a banker, a rapper or a stay-at-home mom:
Creativity doesn't come from playing by the book. From a Zen perspective, creativity comes from seeing emptiness, feeling the power of being liberated from attachments to dualistic ideas, and filling the remaining void with something unique and constructive. It's not catering to trends or selling out. I have some college friends who are musicians, and most of them are really innovative. But it's sad to meet the occasional someone with ridiculous amounts of talent dulling their craft and trying to sell out at the very beginning stages of their career.
Always question. Stay open to stumbling upon new perspectives to work from-- it doesn't matter if you're an architect, a banker, a rapper or a stay-at-home mom:
Creativity means deviation.
"The worst enemy to creativity
is self-doubt." ~Sylvia Plath
is self-doubt." ~Sylvia Plath
It's easy to be cynical, and it's especially easy to be cynical about your own abilities. With the internet, you can sit up in your ivory tower/office chair and criticize those with creative drive. Blogs allow everyone to be a critic, either in post form or comment form. Criticism is valuable, but not at the expense of creation. I sometimes hear music that I think, personally, sucks. I don't go out of my way to criticize. I move on and find something new.
Allow creative people to be creative and expect the same treatment in return. If you create something you're not proud of, don't criticize yourself to the point of no return. Acknowledge it and move on. Part of the whole process, in any discipline or career, is thinking of creative ideas of how not to lose your creativity. Sappy as the saying is, it's best embodied in a spark or an ember. Keep it lit.
