Creativity

Creativity, one of the critical 8 C’s, is key to your success.

I heard a rumour that you think you’re not creative.  Is it true?

If you said yes, you think you’re not creative, then whatsamatter you!  You, as a human being who’s made it this far, with the unique gifts & talents only you possess, are most definitely creative.

(And if you said nope, you do believe you’re creative, then high 5’s to you!)

Creativity has a much maligned reputation.  We tend to think of it as this elusive, magical beast that only comes out to play with very specific people (tortured painters, mysterious musicians & poets with whiskey soaked breath) at very specific times that are known only to the muse itself.

Hogwash.  Phooey. What a load.  No way, no how. Uh uh.  Nope. Nada.

Creativity comes in many guises & disguises.  

That time you pulled that idea out of thin air at your last staff meeting that got people excited & onboard? That’s creativity.

That time you coaxed your recalcitrant kiddo (be they 2, 12 or 20) with a unique parenting technique?  That’s creativity.

That quilt you made, the one with fantastic colours that catches the sun on your living room couch & makes the room warm & cosy?  That’s creativity.

Those ruminations in your journal, your scribbling, doodles & ½ hearted prose?  That’s creativity.

That unique out of the blue bolt of inspiration you had?  The one that made people look at the same ol’ same ol’ in a whole new way?  That’s creativity.

Getting out of bed, facing the day, leaning into social change with a limited budget & more hurdles than the Olympic 100m race?  That’s definitely creativity.

Creativity is honouring the muse at your shoulder, the wise whisper in your ear, the elegant idea you pull out of thin air, the art you create with your hands & your heart.  

Creativity is bound up in us, whether we recognize it or not.

Creativity will get us out of messes, will strike with inspiration when the chips are down, will bring a smile to our lips & will continue as long as we breathe, to bring beauty, innovation.

Creativity is simply the ability to create.

So I ask you again, are you creative?  

Feel free to insert a hell yeah, hail Mary, of course, high five, dance a little jig here.

‘Cause the world needs more of you & your creativity — in whatever beautiful form it takes in you.

I spent a lot of years trying to outrun or outsmart vulnerability by making things certain and definite, black and white, good and bad. My inability to lean into the discomfort of vulnerability limited the fullness of those important experiences that are fraught with uncertainty: Love, belonging, trust, joy, and creativity to name a few. 

— Brene Brown