Create or Die!

or how to avoid death by creativity.

Die might be a bit harsh, but if you really think about it, when we don’t create a little piece of us dies. I feel that death deep in my soul. Ever feel at the end of the day it was just like yesterday, and the foreboding that tomorrow will be more of the same? I tell myself that I should be creating something for the greater good but there’s nothing there. It’s easy to get stuck in that rut and wallow. But wait, that death isn’t final.

That piece of us, let’s call it, the creator (lower case c) can become reborn. Rebirth isn’t easy. It’s hard work to breathe life into that part of your soul, but it is possible. Sometimes the creator dies due to procrastination. Sometimes it’s left to die by the busyness of life. Sometimes we just forget how to evoke the creator. I know I’m guilty of that. I want to create and yet I find it a chore. Don’t make the mistake of equating creating with working. Most of us create stuff as part of our work, and while that’s good it’s not enough. What I’m talking about is creating something everlasting, beautiful, and intimate. Creating something that transfers part of you into another object; physical, digital, spoken, or heard is essentially human. Eras are defined by what was created. Civilizations are remembered for their creations. What will you be remembered for?

The creator compels us to use our God-given abilities, no matter how small or non-existent they seem to us and create beauty. Are we all creators? Do we all have that ability? Is it really innate or can it be learned? I believe Yes, all the above. We might deny it and lean on others we perceive to have more creativity. I’m surrounded by creative people and even married to one of the most creative person ever. I observe creativity and then attempt with futility to make it my own. That’s not how it works. True creativity comes from within, shaped by what is learned, and expressed into the present. I believe this is one of the reasons social media has such an appeal. It satisfies that need to create, share, and receive immediate feedback. That cycle of creating, sharing, and feedback is the design of the creator.

Anyone who’s a parent is by default a creator. I’m constantly in awe of my three pro-creations. Every day they do something that makes me smile or cringe. They are little pieces of me and my amazing wife. I say they have the best of both of us. Will they use their abilities to create the “next big thing”, the cure for common cold, or a way to stop dad from embarrassing them? The latter is unlikely, ha! I’m inspired by my friend Rob who with his friend has created creative challenges for each other, such as, sculpture, play writing, and even poetry. It’s clear that this isn’t easy for either one of them, but they are trying and invite others to join in. Check out their creativity at Brushed Egos.

This post is a reflection on my state of mind/heart as I desire to evoke the creator and create beauty. Maybe I can through words, through cooking, through photographs, or even just singing a lullaby to my daughter as she falls asleep.

Don’t let the creator die. How will you evoke the creator in you? Where is your rainbow? What will you create?