"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
7 Mar 2024
Beyond just a talent, creativity is a deep way to express oneself and a window into the spirit that allows for understanding and exploration of its depths. Within the domain of spiritual creativity, creative pursuits transcend beyond pastimes or crafts and become invaluable instruments for self-realization and personal development. This piece will go into the enchanted process of discovering your inner artist and exploring the creative worlds as a way to connect with your soul, uncover secrets, and set off on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. There is a creative spark inside every person that is just waiting to be kindled. Artistic expression, be it through painting, poetry, music, dancing, or any other medium, is a global language that cuts beyond boundaries. Understanding and fostering this innate creativity as a way to go into your soul's depths is crucial.
1. Cultivating A Curious Mindset~
For those of us who were naturally inquisitive as kids, we may reflect on our early years and see that we stopped asking "why" about everything. Even our professors became weary of responding to our queries nonstop, and our parents were not lovers of our frequent questioning. After learning to control ourselves and accept what we were taught as sufficient, we moved our attention from questioning everything to starting new relationships, graduating, going to college, and finding employment. Few people have truly retained the quality of constant curiosity that is characteristic of children.
With CQ in mind, here are a few examples from what I think is a long list of ways that curiosity can help us be more creative and happier~
Vitality:
Bring positive relationships into reality: Curiosity about others, and the desire to know or understand people in our team or community prevents judgment. When we are genuinely curious about others, we allow them to feel seen, occupy authentic space, and deepen relationships. This is the first step in any creative process: curiosity is the thing that asks, “What happens if I do this” and then tries something for the first time. Our research and inquiry spark creativity and innovation.
Battle with complacency:
Whether it's satisfaction in our work or our relationships, curiosity is always pretty well stoked. Curiosity asks again and again what else could be possible and how we could do something better. Curiosity doesn't rest on its laurels, it looks for what's next.
Enables positive change:
Resistance to change and inertia to continue doing things the way they have "always been done" has affected many organizations or communities. Therefore, the need for change management is great! Organizations that create and nurture a culture of curiosity are inherently more resilient, ready to change and fall and rise again.
Inclusion and Belonging:
When we are truly curious, we are open to seeing people. because they care about how they live and move in the world and value the differences they bring. We open a space for everyone to belong.
Joy and fun in our work:
Let's face it - curiosity is fun! When we're curious, we learn more, try newer things, and generally just live in wonder, which makes every day happier.
2. Embracing Failure ~
Although it is difficult to accept, failure is not the end of the world as we all know. Without critical thought, our leadership styles, performance, judgment, and even pleasure can be compromised by our fear of failing and the failure itself. This week, consider these three suggestions for accepting fear and failing and learning from it:
Fear is a strong emotion that may either help you or hinder you. Use it as a warning system to identify areas that require attention, unfinished business that needs to be completed, or weaknesses in your strategy or offering. After you've received the signal, give it your whole attention and let go of the uneasy feeling. Try using fear as a source of insight this week. Once you've identified the signal, write it down along with your strategy for dealing with the cause. Does paying immediate attention to the signal help you to decompress, focus, and move forward?
Over time, teams that dread failure and its repercussions produce substandard work. This occurs when people labor and are paid for expected results rather than pushing past certainty and into the realm of possibility. If they don't meet your expectations, how will you respond? Establish a consistent vocabulary and procedure for setting committed goals and stretch targets week over week to enable your team to perform above and beyond expectations. Your team will be motivated to go above and beyond expected performance to accomplish remarkable outcomes by a recognition system that recognizes and rewards commitment to goals and perseverance in the face of setbacks.
Failing may cause us to feel just as uncomfortable as death and taxes! However, every setback creates new opportunities and information. Focus on the information that came with the failure and the new door that it opened rather than being mired in the failure itself. Think back on five prior failures. What did you learn from them, and would you be where you are today if they hadn't happened? More than any other source of insight, you've most likely learned more from your mistakes. Accept the importance of failure as a teacher, become inquisitive about the information it provides, and be open to where it takes you next instead of reacting with fear and discomfort. (You could even discover that, without fear, you fail less.)
Collaborate With Others ~
Engaging in cross-domain and cross-individual collaboration may enhance your creativity in several ways. First of all, it can assist you in overcoming the mental patterns and presumptions that restrict your creativity and way of thinking. Through exposure to other perspectives, methodologies, and obstacles, one can enhance their cognitive adaptability and receptiveness to novel concepts. Secondly, it facilitates the repurposing of preexisting components from many disciplines to provide innovative and worthwhile solutions. Diverse information, abilities, and experiences may be integrated to produce more creative and inventive results. Thirdly, it might assist you in growing and learning from criticism and comments from many angles. You may develop your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities by having productive conversations and reflecting on your life.
How Can You Work Together?
Cross-domain collaboration doesn't need to be an official or structured procedure. There are many chances for you to work and live together. One method to cooperate is to join or start a multidisciplinary team or project that brings together individuals from many fields. Another excellent method to cooperate is to host or participate in a cross-domain event or workshop that unites individuals from several disciplines. It's also helpful to read or watch information from other domains that challenge or fascinate you. Finally, networking or establishing connections with individuals from other fields that you respect or wish to learn from help facilitate the sharing of knowledge and insights.
Unlocking Your Inner Genius ~
Seeing Your Creativity As Self Discovery: Artistic expression often delves into the subconscious, giving voice to emotions, dreams, and fears that might be difficult to articulate otherwise. Through painting, writing, or any creative medium, you can externalize your internal world, allowing hidden thoughts and feelings to surface. In the process, you might encounter aspects of yourself that were previously unknown, leading to a profound journey of self-discovery. Authenticity is what matters most in soulful creativity, not perfection. Accept the flaws, unprocessed state, and exposed nature of your works. Every phrase you use, every brushstroke you make, every note you play—all contribute to your tale. Your works have the imprints of your soul, which serve as a constant reminder of your humanity and the beauty that comes with being real and flawed.