Most of our population believe that some people are creative, and others are not.
But that’s not true.
Everyone is an artist.
In fact, we are each creating this very moment.
But, what exactly am I referring to when I talk about creativity?
What Is Creativity Anyway?
Creativity is the expression of who and what we are in the world.
Creativity begins with the imagination. After all, our imagination creates our thoughts; our thoughts create our feelings; our feelings create our actions, and our actions create our results (our experiences).
We create the image we hold of ourselves, our jobs, what’s in our bank account, and our relationships with our friends. We even create new cells and a new body every few months.
So, every one of is an artist. We create each stroke of the painting that is our life.
The ability to create is the hallmark of being human. No other creature can turn something invisible into something visible.
How Do You Express Your Creativity?
You create your experiences in one of two ways.
When you use your imagination to focus on your current circumstances (what is), then you create more of the same and there’s minimal opportunity for growth and fulfillment. You might call this unconscious creation.
Unconscious creation is…
- Settling for things as they are and not as they can be
- Responding to the outside world
- Following the crowd
- Living the way others expect you to
- Thinking from the rational mind
- Worrying or complaining about not having what you want
Conscious creation, on the other hand, is using your imagination to focus on what you want—what can be, instead of what is.
Conscious creation is …
- Questioning the status quo
- Being aware of problems and coming up with ideas to solve them
- Being aware that you don’t know everything
- Exploring and experimenting
- Thinking from the unlimited, universal mind and
- Taking action to manifest what you want
Why Most People Shun Their Creativity
Consciously creating something—following your dreams or dancing to the beat of your own drum—comes at a price.
It can come with rejection, criticism, contempt and isolation.
However, focusing on your current unwanted circumstances, such as a low bank balance or a low-paying job, also comes with a price—creating more of the same.
It is wise to remember that the person who follows the crowd (unconscious creation) will get no farther than the crowd.
However, the relative few who walk the creative path are likely to find they are in places no one has ever been before.
So, you have two choices in life.
You can dissolve into the mainstream, or you can be distinct. To be distinct, you must be different. To be different, you must follow the quiet, creative voice from within.
What Sparks Creativity?
Our creativity is often sparked by dissatisfaction.
Dissatisfaction breeds creativity because it prompts you to think about changing something about your life or even the world.
It was a feeling of dissatisfaction with candlelight that inspired Thomas Edison to create a light bulb to eliminate the darkness and lighten the world.
For you, it may be a desire to change careers, start a business, or build a house.
Most happy, highly successful and fulfilled people have created their own way. They have the drive to make life better and better, and they find ways to make it happen. That is what separates them from everybody else.
Live Courageously
We all desire more fullness in life, a greater and brighter vitality in ourselves, and more abundance in our surroundings.
Our creative ability enables us to enjoy this fullness and vitality in life.
So, if you are not developing your creative potential, I would urge you to begin.
When is the last time you felt fully alive? What is it that calls forth your courage and trumps your fear of sharing your soul? Knowing this is the key to discovering the creativity that is waiting to be expressed through you.
To more and better,
Sandy Gallagher