Yesterday's article on creativity received fantastic comments...I have to really acknowledge this and extend my sincerest thanks to all of you who took the time to read it and contribute your comments and constructive criticism.Some of your comments got me thinking and provided the inspiration for today's article. Understandably,the subject of creativity is quite extensive and requires in-depth analysis.Today,let's mingle playfulness,innocence,experimentation, personal awareness and the concept of creativity...see where it takes us. Whenever I look back on my childhood,a time where technology wasvirtually non-existent,I vividly remember playing with my dolls.I used to stage whole theatrical plays,the most unlikely scenarios.I would pretend I was a mother,a teacher.I would fight for the ones I loved,nurture,take risks.I would be a famous singer,a doctor,a superhero saving the world.....anything my childhood imagination could conjure.Nothing was impossible.Absolutely nothing.The same is happening with my daughter and her friends.Though their time is a more technologically-oriented one,they still manage to conjure up worlds of their own,as quite unconsciously their creative streak takes charge and they are in the flow.I must assume then that creativity is a quality we are born with.We are meant to create.So,one must wonder,how and when do we lose this? Once,scientists believed that by the time we reached adulthood,our brains stopped forming neural connections.A fact that has been disproved,as numerous studies have given solid proof as to the plasticity of the brain and its ability to form neural connections well into old age. Neural plasticity is what allows us to continue learning and creating until all life force is removed from our bodies.So,since the reasons for our lack of creativity cannot be found in our genetic make-up nor on our unwillingness to create,we must assume that at some point,this God-given quality was suppressed as we were told that it was not necessary,nor desirable to succeed.Rational thinking,studying and memorising dull material passively was enforced upon us,until even the thought of creativity itself was lost.The sad thing is that school is just the beginning.In the workplace are required to perform their duties according to rules,laws and their employers'wishes.No room for individual expression is left and all divergent thought is discouraged or downright forbidden.Even in the rare cases whare creativity is allowed,it is forced to work within limits,obey rules.That does not allow for pure,unadulterated expression,that brings forth perfection. So, I suppose that should we want to awaken the beauty and perfection within,it would be best to do it daily,consciously,boldly and unafraid of what might surface.Who knows,maybe we'll discover we never wanted to be secretaries,teachers,shop assistants,but free spirits creating art or travelling the world in search of novel experiences.Let's dive right in. 1. First of all,it is necessary to rid oneself of all the externally imposed blocks.Stop saying you can't.Omit it from your vocabulary.Change your perception of how you think things are meant to be done.Try to ignore your parents' or your teacher's voice inside your head that says that you CAN'T or SHOULDN'T do or want other things than the standard norm.Avoid negative thoughts.Focus more on the positive aspects of your creativity. 2.Give yourself permission to be a freer spirit,a more creative person who dares to do things differently.The unspoken societal rules of how we are supposed to think and act,have become so firmly ingrained in our system,that we need to consciously and fearlessly ignore them-and even better uproot them altogether- and allow ourselves to be different, to finally be ourselves. 3.Believe you have the capability to be creative.Then listen to your intuition and go do it.Don't question it,don't fear it.Intuition is what has led the gretest creators of all times. 4.The most solid advice I've heard on awakening creativity, is to actually hang out with creative people.It has been said that you are the average of the people you hang out with.If you want to be creative,find people who already have cultivated this quality and learn from them.Then apply what you have learnt. 5.Hang out in places where creativity is practiced and encouraged.Art galleries,museums,exhibitions.Music concerts,dance festivals.Actively pursue an activity that speaks to your heart.Attend painting classes,photography workshops,dancing lessons,acting lessons.....you get the point.Do anything to stimulate your creative muscle.Get in the flow. Below are some practical ideas on how to ignite the fire of passion and creativity in our every day lives. 1.AT HOME a.Redecorate your home to your heart's content.Don't hold back,give your imagination free reign.The possiblities are endless!http://justsomething.co/33-amazing-ideas-that-will-make-your-house-awesome/ b.Unleash the artist in you and sing and dance like there's no tomorrow when doing the household chores.From my experience,it is really liberating!Knock yourself out! c.Play with your children.They will be pleasantly surprised and it will most definitely stengthen your bond.Another advantage to consider is that it will loosen you up enough to feel like a child,to feel free.Nothing better to get the creative juices flowing!
AT SCHOOL a.A fantastic idea to encourage student creativity is to include extracurricular activities or if that is not feasible incorporate inspiring and thought-provoking activities.For example,free writing is a fantastic activity,one that gets students to think and eventually create a story of their own making. b.The teacher could organise the class into book clubs,movie clubs that will encourage student discussion,critical thinking and could lead to the full unleashing and discovery of their own creative skills. c.A theatrical group or a music group are also very challenging but rewarding activities that could instill group mentality and collaboration but also cultivation of potential talents. d.School visits to museums, art galleries,music concerts or cinemas/theatres.Amazing stimulus for the mind and soul. AT WORK a.By far the best way for an employer to amp up his employees' creativity is to actually encourage and reward it.That will be definite motivation for the rest to follow suit. b.Create a working environment where positivity is of major importance.A stress- free working place is more likely to allow creativity to flow and most definitely a bit of fun only added to a positive working and creative experience. c.Allow employees of different backgrounds and knowledge to get together in groups and discuss possible projects.That encourages harmony and friendship to develop,which is extremely conducive to the birth of new ideas or to the fruition of already existing projects. Diversity and homogeneity in the working place is one of the basic ingredients of a peopl-friendly company. I hope this post will prove to be useful to you.It certainly was a delight for me to write.I hope you have an amazingly creative and productive day,but don't forget to enjoy the ride! 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. |