WHATEVER HAPPENED TO IMAGINATION?

Einstein was quoted as saying “Imagination is more important than knowledge” but could it be that imagination IS knowledge? It is always the inventor, the idea person, the entrepreneur, and the artist on the edge that seems to carry us into the future. Without the imaginative spirit we cannot progress or evolve and it is quite possibly that lack of spirit that is challenging us as Americans to re-imagine ourselves. This could be one of the most exciting times for creativity because we have so much to create!

I’ve listened to the negativity predicted by the pundits and fear mongers and I say we should all start painting, singing, dancing, writing, playing and imagining a better future on this planet. Yes, I am an idealist at heart because when I see the amazing and beautiful things that people create I am encouraged to believe that we can accomplish great things together.

But these things can never happen without a healthy dose of imagination and the ability to allow ourselves to embrace our creative passions. Don’t think for a minute that your desire to take that photograph of the sunset isn’t as important as doing your job. Allowing yourself to take that photograph helps you to do your job and to contribute to your role in society with a genuine connection to your world. If we deny our need to use our imagination we deny our life. Imagination can be as simple as cooking a meal and thinking “now I wonder what that would taste like if I added….” and then having the courage to try it, even if it doesn’t work out. You never know where it might lead you. Just as it took Edison many, many tries to invent the light bulb we should never give up on our imaginative ideas. It’s not about it working the first time; it’s about it working the last time.

So allow yourself to imagine doing something creative, living the life you want, sailing on the ocean, writing a book, singing for an audience, creating a new financial plan or whatever moves you. We need to access our imaginations on a daily basis so that we can be and stay inspired to live a life that is rich with meaning.

Find ways to use your own imagination instead of the visual bombardment you receive on a daily basis from TV, YouTube, games, DVD’s, etc. Try listening to some instrumental music and visualize what’s going on, listen to a recorded story and see if you can see the surroundings or characters, walk in nature and hear the birds and invent a new world, or just sit in silence and envision your own environment. When we know we can access our imagination it gives us a sense of confidence in helping us to create our universe and add our own unique vision to our world. Find your imagination and use it every day.

Creating Change

With the elections quickly moving closer there has been much talk about change. Changing the way we do business in Washington, changing the way we approach our energy dependence, changing the way we handle our finances, and changing the patterns of the past that no longer serve our voyage into the 21st century.
Artists (musicians, painters, dancers, writers, actors, etc) have always had a reputation for being at the forefront of change. In fact they often have been accused of being catalysts for changes in our society. With that in mind, it occurred to me how important our creativity is in times of change. Whether we have inspired, caused or encouraged change in one way or another we continue that creative mindset as we move into transforming times.
So if you are feeling overwhelmed during these “uncertain times” then you might find comfort in the idea that your contributions through your creative works might be part of the solution to our global problems. “What?” you are probably saying to yourself, “my painting, my poem, my song is a solution? How can that be?”
Well, by each of us continuing to allow our imaginations and instincts to create new concepts we may be lighting a match to create the fire of inspiration beneath a new generation of leaders, business and community workers. When we allow ourselves to stay on purpose with our creative endeavors with a sincere interest in the process we are connecting in a most profound way with the world in a spirit of change.

Yesterday I read that the brilliant actor, activist, and humanitarian Paul Newman passed away at the age of 83. His donations and services to many charities were applauded by the world. Through his ability to dig deep inside and use his creative gifts as an actor he left us with a catalog of memorable films. These were the same creative gifts he used to develop his food products that allowed him to give millions to charities and to even create his own special charities including the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp that helps children with severe illness. Please check out this link to read about his legacy: http://www4.holeinthewallgang.org/tribute5.asp.
We must never forget the tremendous value our creativity serves not only to ourselves but also to others. Whenever you doubt whether you should finish that painting, publish that book, record that song, dance in that concert, or read your poem at a local café please keep in mind that you never know how your creativity will effect others or help to create some needed change in our lives.
I honor our fellow creative beings, like Paul Newman, who instinctively understood the depth of their creativity.

Creating In Uncertain Times

Earlier this week I was walking late at night and was left quite breathless by the site of a stunning moon, huge in size and shining like a beacon on everything in its site. How could something so amazing and beautiful be happening at such a tumultuous time in my life?

Just last weekend another devastating hurricane, an election year (that seems like the contemporary version of the civil war) and then the sudden collapse of significant financial institutions. These are important situations that require our attention and some serious soul searching about our lives.

So how does one create during such “uncertain times”?

I believe this is the time for all of us to become more creative than ever. As our old creations destruct we are required to replace them with new and better models for the future. The cycle of creativity involves destruction as we cannot create something new until we have finished the old creation in some capacity; sold the painting, deleted the recording to write a new song, tore up the pages or simply filed them away, cut the old fabric to make a new outfit, tore down the old house to build our dream house and on and on.

Maybe our environmental crisis is here to teach us something about our creativity… create and then destroy or recycle. How many times have you found an old chapter of a book you started and wrote a new one, lines of old poems to create new ones, part of a melody and wrote the song you really wanted.

I believe we have an incredible opportunity to be creative during these difficult times and to find deeper purpose in our lives.

And we can be creative in so many ways, not just our “art” work. Try a creative financial plan, a business that supports the changing environment, inventive ways to deal with people in your life or a unique perspective on the world. We needn’t get caught up in the old quagmire of thinking when we can direct our thoughts to the possibilities of what we can NOW create.

And yes, it might feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar for sure and we might even have to work together to make this happen. We may have to learn new communication skills and ways of dealing with a new set of problems. So what? (As if the human beings before us never coped with these challenges). We are up for the task and we must look to our imagination, intuition, and a strong sense of courage to help us with our own personal and collective mission.

As for the “artists’ in our society it seems to me some of the best art work: music, dance, theater, poetry, paintings, sculpture. books, etc. came out of the struggles of man. Art has always signified the pulse of truth, struggles of mankind, and the heart of our culture. We couldn’t have a better time to be digging deep beneath the surface to find the precious metals of our existence.

This is the time to create, be creative or explore your creativity. Participate in your community and the society at large by offering your creative ideas and solutions. Let’s all act like that beautiful and amazing moon that keeps shinning in the dark.

There is no better time than now.

You Are Creative

Creativity is our birth rite. 

  

The first step of our journey started with the ultimate creative and sacred act and we are the result.   

Everyday you see creation in motion through nature or the choices we make in our lives.   Children play by using their imaginations to create something fun while we create our careers, opportunities and countless other "creations".  

There seems to be a hidden or visible passion in each of us to find purpose and expression in our lives.  Part of that expression comes in a variety of forms; a book, a song, a dance, a poem, a painting, a great meal, home made crafts, fixing up a car, a business idea, planning a party, and numerous other ways.   

More than ever in this lifetime we are searching for creative solutions and ways to make our lives more meaningful.   

This blog is to remind all of us that "we are creative" and we need to allow ourselves to dig deep inside ourselves to discover who we are and what our lives mean to us.   In that journey we find truth, beauty, and the peace of mind that comes from what I call a healthy dose of inner struggle.    

The act of creation has it's fair share of discomfort before the birth of a miracle. 

  

Learning to relax in the process is the mastery of the art and sometimes the best part of the journey.   

Think about what you want to create in your life today and make one step in that direction, for yourself and for the world.