Creativity -from what I have learnt so far,especially after starting this blog-is not synonymous to talent.I always believed that if you have a God-given gift or a strong drive,that automatically entails that you are creative as well.I admit to being very wrong.From my recent experience I discovered that creativity,much like teaching is a never-ending,ongoing process of learning,of immersing yourself in the craft you have chosen to pursue.Admittedly,it is much more difficult than I initially thought it was. Creativity is not some romantic notion,some quality you just happen to possess.It is a way of thinking,of being,it is the way you approach your craft and life in general.It means constantly working on your craft and maintaining your determination to learn more about it, about any new tools or approaches that are available to you.So, read everything you can get your hands on.Research.Ask questions.Be curious and inquisitive.But learn.It is of the utmost importance to believe you can create.Then go do it.Work on it daily, work relentlessly,work without minding the time,perfect it.Don't hold back emotionally, because creativity is first and foremost the expression of your feelings-it is the expression of YOU.Do not fear the mistakes that will inevitably be made.As with every other learning process they are inescapable,desirable even.How else can one venture to become a better version of oneself? After some digging around in the Internet vaults and its vast array of articles full of knowledge,I managed to gather some characteristics for the creative individual.Some of them I posses,others not.By no means do I claim that every artist or person walking this planet possesses all these qualities.They are more a list of guidelines of the creatively restless person.The person who will dare to think differently,go against the norms and challenge the status quo. 1.The creative individual is constantly curious,asking questions and doubting established societal structures. 2.A creative person has a vast array of interests.After all,to create,one must posses knowledge, as knowledge can trigger creativity. 3.Creativity opens the mind to alternative possibilities.So,the more creative a person the more flexible his approach to problems,the more he can come up with solutions that are off the beaten track,unusual but effective.That tends to be called divergent thinking.Even the answers this person provides, tend to be extraordinary. 4.One can easily distinguish the creative person from his willingness to take risks.This person loves adventure and everything that is uncertain,way off the comfort zone. 5.Versatility and adaptability are also key traits of this special individual. 6.Divergent thinkers tend to fantasise a lot,imagine alternate realities and solutions to the world's problems.A phrase that is totally charracteristic of them is:"What would happen if.........?" 7.Their humour is also a bit unusual and bizarre.Not everyone can relate to it. 8.They demonstrate a heightened emotional sensitivity to beauty due to their natural inclination toward aesthetic perfection. 9.Their non-conformity to societal norms is also a trait that sets them apart.It is simply impossible for them to accept authority in any form.They are unafraid of being different.In fact, they flaunt it every chance they get. 10. Their criticism is constructive. 11.The brain function of the creative individual is above average. 12.Their fluency is another typical characteristic.They are able to construct and phrase their ideas way more eloquently than a person who is less creative. 13.A divergent thinker can create much more original content and ideas.What's more,he can elaborate on those ideas to the point of perfection. 14.Their perception of reality and the way they define things and their circumstances is different than that of the average thinker.Othe people often find it difficult to grasp their way of thinking. 15.As no one is perfect,these people also tend to possess some negative characteristics.Some of them tend to be overly assertive and stubborn,temperamental but at the same time withdrawn.Their tendency to be unconventional sometimes makes them cynical or uncooperative. There are numerous tests out there to measure one's creativity or tendency to divergent thinking.The most well-known one is the Torrance test of creative ability.I did find other tests too,though.I did one of them and the result showed I'm very creative.Of course,delighted as I was with the results,I know better than to rest on my laurels.A test score does not make you creative.Hard work and persistence does.Here's the link,should you be interested to check out your level of creativity. http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/uzzi/ftp/page176.html Apart from an aspiring writer,I am also a teacher.It saddens me to see the creative thinking of our youngsters being suppressed in the most hideous of ways.Memorisation,standard testing to check how well the prescribed knowledge has been assimilated.Simultaneously,our students' creative abilities remain latent,hidden under a pile of otherwise useless knowledge and skills.Alternative and abstract thinking,novel ideas are brushed off as being too absurd,illogical and contrary to the rules contrary to the set educational norms.I am very angered by this process.Why should we stump their alternative,creative streak of inspiration?Why not encourage it?After all,no progress could ever have been made if it were not for the divergent thinkers, the pioneers.Charles Darwin,Henry Ford,Albert Einstein,Nikola Tesla,Steve Jobs,Steven Hawking.....the list is endless.How can we possibly exalt these peoples' accomplishments but at the same time suppress out very own children's creativity?It is one of the paradoxes in our education I simply do not understand and will never accept.Why is everyone so afraid of it? Creativity and thinking out of the box is the way to go.It should be given free reign in schools.That is the only solution to hinder the robotisation of our kids,the only way to give them self-confidence,trust in their dreams and potential.It is the only way to fire up their desire to make a difference in our very confused and violent world.Creativity is the ways to change the world.Not the creation of class of workers and passive thinkers but a class of free people, of pioneers. Sir Ken Robinson is one of the people I look up to when it comes to this subject.I will add a very characteristic video with a fantastic speech on creativity and why it is of the utmost necessity in our education.I have posted it before,but it seems only appropriate to repost it today.Enjoy! And one more,from the same inspiring speaker... Today's post was a true joy to write.I hope it gives you inspiration to unleash your creativity,your kids' or your students'.Alternative thinking brought the world thus far.If we want a beter world,happier,more productive people,let all creativity and imagination loose.Let talent thrive.Wake it up from its slumber.Now is not the time for sleeping.It's a time for action.
Hope you have a fantastic day. As always, with love and light, Lia
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August 2021
CategoriesAuthorI am a passionate English teacher.Aspiring writer and speaker.I take educational matters to heart and hope to bring about some positive change in the field of education. |