Be More: Why Creativity is Spiritual (and why you should care)

Be More: Baby steps to the life you want– starting now!

In my process of seeking a “more” life, one of the most interesting discoveries for me has been my study of creativity and the role it plays in life satisfaction and, ultimately, in success. Today I want to share a little bit of what I have discovered with you.

What is Creativity?

Creativity is “the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.”  In other words, to think differently, and as a result, to make something that no one has seen before.

The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says that to create is “to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes” and “to evolve from one’s own thought or imagination”.

My personal definition of creativity is accessing divine inspiration through intellect and imagination in order to birth an idea, artwork or product that impacts others. Creation originated with God and is a spiritual process so in order to create something meaningful, we need to connect spiritually.

Why Does Creativity Matter?

Creativity matters because it is the means by which society, and the people in it, are transformed. From the first wheel to the latest Apple product, the best ideas began by someone thinking differently. Innovation and creativity are essential to the human race.

Acknowledging the power of creativity can be intimidating, but it can also be freeing. You don’t have to copy anyone else, or produce anything that has been produced before. You have ideas that can only be expressed through who God created you to be, and when you connect with God and partner with Him, your ideas can impact and transform people.

Your unique, individual expression of creativity can be cooking a delicious meal for your family or baking for someone in need; knitting a blanket for a new mom, or designing a website for a business; penning a note of encouragement or writing a novel that will change the way people think. You can bring joy, beauty and life to those around you by simply expressing who YOU are in a creative way.

Why Do We Struggle With Creativity?

We are taught NOT to be creative.

The American public school system was designed to create good citizens and compliant workers for the industrial age, and by it’s very nature restricts creative thought so that students conform to the “norms” of society. As the years pass, school and our culture in general, tend to drain the creativity from us.

One scientist actually studied creativity in children and came to a similar conclusion. In 1968 George Land distributed a creativity test used by NASA to select innovative engineers to 1,600 five-year-olds. His results:

• At age five, 98% of the group registered genius level creativity.
• At age 10, only 30% of those same children reached genius level.
• By age 15, those in the group reaching genius level dropped to only 12%.
• When the same test was given to 280,000 adults, only 2% registered a genius level of creativity!

“What we have concluded is that non-creative behavior is learned,” wrote Land.

We are afraid.

For many of us, creating something new and unique creates fear.

We fear failure.

We fear ridicule.

We fear disappointment.

We fear that we will never create something worthy, that our offering to the world will be ugly, deformed and ridiculous.

We don’t make space for creativity.

Knowing that you should be creative is one thing, but actually DOING something about it is an entirely different matter. We have to make time and space in our lives for creative thought and process. We need quiet. We need inspiration. We need solitude.  All of which are difficult to come by in today’s world.

How Can You Jump Start Your Creativity?

Start an Idea Notebook.

One of the most important things that I have done to increase my creativity is to buy a small notebook and carry it with me EVERYWHERE. I literally do not leave the house without it. My most creative ideas come at the most inopportune moments–while walking in the park, showering, driving my husband to work, and I have learned to write down these thoughts and ideas as soon as I have them (or at the next stop light in the case of driving!). Grasping those elusive thoughts before they escape requires some dedication, but it has increased my creativity exponentially.

Honor the Creative Process.

In order to allow our creativity to flow most freely, we have to honor the creative process by making time to explore and expand our ideas. Commit to a daily or weekly time to create, and if possible, dedicate a space for your creative endeavors. I have a small desk in my bedroom where I can leave out my art supplies, but you can utilize closet space or a rolling cart to use at the kitchen table in the evenings. Having a regular time and place to create will inevitably lead to more creativity.

Make Something!

-Doodle

-Make a modeling clay sculpture.

-Write a song or a poem.

-Start a design notebook and sketch your ideas.

-Rearrange the items on your bookshelf in a more creative display.

-Buy some watercolor paint and paper, and learn techniques on You Tube.

-Cut pictures from a magazine and make a collage.

-Create a game with your child using only items found around the house.

Cook, sew, paint, scrapbook, garden. Squash the fear and do whatever you can to create something new at least weekly, and preferably daily. Just start the journey of becoming more creative and see where it takes you. I am confident that you will be happily surprised.

What is one thing that you can do this week to jump start your creativity? Share in the comments.

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Sources: Dictionary.com;  CreativityAtWork.com