Who Am I To Tell You About Creativity?
Today marks the 2nd anniversary of YourCre8tivity’s first post. Over the past two years, we’ve posted hundreds of creative prompts. We’ve posted some articles and ideas. But YourCre8tivity isn’t where we’d hoped it would be.
As the date of the site’s anniversary drew closer, I began to ponder it’s future. Should it continue, as is? Should it continue with some changes? Perhaps I should let it die a quiet death?
The decision wasn’t entirely mine to make, nor did I trust my sole judgment. Geminifatcat was one of YourCre8tvity’s founders, is a blogger in her own right at Time Well Wasted, and is my best friend. FlippantMoniker is also a good friend and someone whose judgment I trust. So it was to the two of them that I turned for help. The discussion lasted for hours and covered a wide range of topics. But in the end, it came down to one question I needed to answer.
Who Am I to Tell You About Creativity and How to be Creative?
I am not an artist.
I am not an author.
I am not an actor.
I am not a singer.
I am not a scholar or expert on creativity.
If I am not any of these things, how do I have any right or authority to tell anyone else about creativity?
I was given an answer that I didn’t expect. Geminifat and FlippantMoniker told me a secret.
While they enjoy the activities of the people we tend to think of as ‘creative’, they were also intimidated by both the people and their activities.
So, Who Am I to Talk to You About Creativity?
I am your next-door neighbor.
I am your friend.
I am your mother or sister.
I am someone who wants to be creative.
I am you.
But most of all, I am someone who, over the years, has realized that creativity comes in many forms and sizes. Creativity is more than the great works that artists, actors and authors produce. It is more than the combination of specific synapses firing. It is something that we are all born with.
Somewhere along the line, the chance to exercise our creativity seems to fade for most of us — but it doesn’t have to.
So, who am I to talk about creativity? I’m someone who is making a consistent effort to exercise my own creativity day-to-day because I think its important, and I think that even small exercises of creativity can change both mood and life.
Creativity is a journey and it should be part of everyone’s life journey. Sometimes journeys are easier when they’re shared with others. So I’m sharing mine with you.
Interested in walking the path with me? Your company is welcome.
Let me know, via comment, email, or post on your own blog, where the creative journey takes you.
Tags:Why Be Creative?
so my creativity is leading me to write a book.
Comment by edward — May 3, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Great post and I love the new look to the site.
I don’t think that creativity should be restricted only to artists. As we grow up I think we lose a lot of our creativity and stop using our imagination. I don’t see why we should and it’s sites like this that help us get our daily dose of something creative.
Comment by Kerryn — May 3, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Edward and Kerryn
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
I’m looking forward not only to my own creative journey but to seeing where the journey leads for other people as well.
It means a lot to me to know that YourCre8tivity encourages other people to take the journey as well.
Comment by ShadowsEdge — May 3, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
It’s really nice to know that we were able to have an impact in a positive way
Goodness knows, you’ve been a great influence on me, and a real motivator to get stuff done. *big hugs*
Comment by FlippantMoniker — May 3, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
Hey FlippantMoniker *grins and hugs back*
Thanks for the encouragement! If you ever want to guest post, let me know, though I know Gemini’s keeping you busy over on Time Well Wasted!
Comment by ShadowsEdge — May 3, 2008 @ 6:44 pm