Breathe, Sleep, Dream, Create: Creativity Is Essential To A Quality Life

From the beginning when the first cave dweller etched a mammoth on the wall of his cave, humans have been finding ways to express the experience of living. Every culture in the world tells stories, paints and draws, sings songs and creates dance. Art in its many varieties is as part of the human genetic code. It is deep within us, a creative impulse that yearns to be expressed. There are those that contend that the creative urge is biologically linked to our need to reproduce, that our survival depends on having creative impulses. It is in the creative impulse that we yearn to teach our young, and bring something stunning into the world. Intricately meshed with our biological drives, the need to create is as real as the need to eat, breath, sleep and dream. Every human on this earth has the urge to create, in one form or another. For some, the a brutal understanding of life has turned this need into the urge to create chaos or harm to others. Still it is a creative urge that demands the world notice they exist. Creativity is a powerful force and should be honored as such. Creativity belongsto everyone. Art Supplies, like brushes, colored pencils, clay, Foam Board, and crayons, are often a big part of a child’s life. We all respect the artist in a child. They may like building things, drawing, singing, or telling and listening to stories. How come, as we grow older, we treat our artistic impulses like clothes that we grow beyond?

Many grownups consider art as a spectator sport or a hidden hobby. After a long day at work, doing the laundry and getting the kids to bed there isn’t time to indulge in any creative impulse. Instead, most people think they can only experience art and creativity as consumers. So how is it possible to indulge the creative instinct in a world with out time or compensation for the artistic endeavor?

A gratifying creative experience needs several things which involve the senses in the process, a vision of the thing to be created and focused attention. Ask an artist about being fully involved in a project and they can easily talk about the rewards and delight that comes from the event. A painter lost in the details and subtle shades, seeing intensely, a singer taken to a different place by the song she sings, the dancer feeling an enlightened grace descend around him, are all experiences that come from surrender to the creative instinct.

If someone has a creative impulse they should chase it down, be it writing, singing, painting or dance. The benefits are immense. For those that are not sure of their passion, it is important to find all the opportunities for exploration in everyday life. For example, if making dinner, what happens when the chef is totally focused? Bring the senses alive, taste, smell, and feel the food. Slice the potatoe with perfect focus. Arrange the salad with consideration of the quality and color of the tomatoes, olives and carrots. Make it beautiful and make it unique.

The reward for the effort come from the experience of taking pleasure in putting something special together. We all like to receive complements and appreciation, but the experience of creating is often reward enough.